BUFFALO, N.Y. — October 8, 2026
The Dallas Stars scored three times in the second period and kept the Buffalo Sabres off the scoreboard Thursday night at KeyBank Center, winning 4-0 despite being outshot 26-18.
Mikko Rantanen led Dallas with a goal and three assists and was named the game’s first star. Wyatt Johnston added three assists, and Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson and Sam Steel each scored once.
Robertson opens the scoring
Robertson scored the game’s only goal of the first period, which stood as the winner. He finished with four shots on goal.
The game turned in the second period. Dallas scored three times on limited chances, including a power-play goal from Hintz, to take a 4-0 lead into the third. Steel scored on his only shot on goal, and Rantanen scored on one of his two.
Dallas finished the game shooting 22.2 percent, scoring four goals on 18 shots against Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who made 14 saves.
Buffalo creates chances but can’t finish
By volume, Buffalo controlled much of the play. The Sabres outshot Dallas 26-18, outhit the Stars 23-22 and took 62 shot attempts. Many never reached the net: Dallas blocked 17 shots, and Buffalo missed the net 18 times.
Zach Benson led Buffalo with four shots on goal, including two on the power play. Josh Norris added three shots. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin blocked four shots at the other end.
Special teams were a difference. Buffalo went 0-for-3 on the power play with four shots, while Dallas converted one of its two opportunities.
Dallas dominates the faceoff circle
The Stars won 38 of 61 faceoffs (62.3 percent). Hintz, the game’s third star, went 12-for-17 on draws, and Johnston won seven of 11. The edge in the circle helped Dallas keep possession, especially once it had the lead.
The Stars weren’t flawless. They committed 22 giveaways to Buffalo’s 18 and took three minor penalties, but the Sabres couldn’t capitalize on any of those mistakes.
What’s next
Dallas has won two straight, following a 5-0 home win over San Jose on Monday that came after season-opening losses to St. Louis and Nashville. The Stars visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT. The two teams meet again Nov. 14 in Dallas.
