The Stars are getting back into the win column in a big way.

There was a lot of talk during tonight’s game about the Dallas Stars losing streak in Boston. And as Brad McDonnell so accurately pointed out here, the power play was a big reason for that.

Coming into tonight’s game, the Stars had scored two power play goals this season. Two. That’s it. Tonight they had three. In one period. But we’ll find out.

First period

From the opening faceoff, this game had a tendency to have something crazy happen. Early on, neither team could handle the puck or make clean passes. Both ensured that there were plenty of scoring opportunities.

Less than a minute and a half into the game, Dallas called one through the post. Thomas Harley found himself open in the slot with the puck. His wrist shot beat Jeremy Swayman but clattered against the post and ricocheted out.

A few minutes later it was the Bruins’ turn. A bad turnover by Matt Dumba created a chance for the Stars net. Luckily, Casey DeSmith was playing tonight. This remained true for most of the first period. Logan Stankoven had a phenomenal opportunity five minutes into the game, but Swayman kicked the puck aside. He also smothered Roope Hintz’s rebound.

At the 12:49 mark of the first period we saw the first of what would become a plethora of penalties in the first two periods. Four penalties were taken in the first period: three for the Stars and one for Boston. However, nothing would come out of them.

The first score happened while both teams had a player in the penalty area. Skating four-on-four, Dumba turned the puck over from behind his net. The puck went straight to Matthew Poitras. He set up David Pastrňák for a shot that found its way into the back of the net.

Dallas tried to answer with several short-handed chances, but couldn’t get the equalizer. Wyatt Johnston and Hintz were both denied scoring opportunities. Finally, with 3:30 left in the period, the Stars were on the board. Matt Duchene took a pass from Thomas Harley, weaved through the defense and tied the score.

Score: Stars 1 – Bruins 1
Shots on target: Stars 13 – Bruins 11

Second Period

In the second period, all I heard was Oprah yelling, “You’re getting a power play goal. You get a power play goal. Everyone gets a power play goal.”

It started eleven seconds into the period. Hintz drew a penalty after a breakaway. Twenty seconds later the Stars took the lead. Jason Robertson took a pass from Jamie Benn and fired it past Swayman in front of the goal.