Dec 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel (5) and center Tommy Novak (82) and defenseman Adam Wilsby (83) celebrates a goal scored by Novak against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Ryan O’Reilly rejoined the team in a long-awaited victory.
The Preds got out to a quick start and got an early power play out of it, but weren’t able to convert. The Stars got a few chances of their own, but overall it was a solid first for the Preds, who made good progress getting to the net and taking shots in general.
Dallas pushed back in the second period, taking advantage of the long change to make up for the workload deficit, but a scuffle between Steven Stamkos and Sam Steel that sent both off for two minutes for roughing around halfway through the period saw the end of the stalemate. O’Reilly scored during the 4-on-4, and then moments later Tommy Novak added a goal and O’Reilly scored his second to put the Preds up by three.
Filip Forsberg took a slashing penalty with seconds left in the period, but the Preds were able to kill that off. Again the Stars pushed back, and after another half a period of cranking up the pressure Lian Bischel finally got one past Justus Annunen at 10:34 of the third.
With just under four minutes to go in regulation, the Stars pulled Jake Oettinger, and Zach L’Heureux promptly scored into the empty net. Oettinger returned, and the game wound to a close.
