Thomas Harley’s game-winning aim lifts Stars over Devils

Thomas Harley scored with under five seconds left in regulation to give the Dallas Stars a dramatic 4-3 win over the visiting New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

The Devils had erased the Stars’ two-goal lead earlier in the period, but Harley saved the victory by converting a shot from just outside the circle. Harley also had an assist, giving the defenseman three consecutive two-point games.

The Stars are on a three-game winning streak and lead the NHL in both wins (20) and goals (102) since December 28.

Roope Hintz had a goal and two assists, Wyatt Johnston had a goal and an assist, and Jason Robertson had two assists. Ilya Lyubushkin scored Dallas’ other goal.

Hintz has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) over a five-game points streak. Johnston has 12 points (seven goals, five assists) during a seven-game points streak.

Dallas goalie Casey DeSmith stopped 25 of 28 shots, while Jacob Markstrom stopped 17 of 21 shots in the Devils’ net.

The hard-luck loss dropped New Jersey to 1-3-0 in its last four games.

Timo Meier and Nico Hischier each had a goal and an assist for New Jersey. Brett Pesce scored the other Devils goal, and Luke Hughes and Jesper Bratt each had two assists.

The Devils were playing their first game of the season without leading scorer Jack Hughes, who is considering surgery after sustaining an upper-body injury on Sunday. The injuries continued to pile up on Tuesday, as defenseman Dougie Hamilton didn’t return after sustaining an apparent leg injury late in the first period.

Johnston gave Dallas the early lead 1:39 into the first period. Lyubushkin extended the lead 6:30 into the second period with his first goal of the season.

Meier tallied a power-play marker just 39 seconds after Lyubushkin’s goal. Dallas responded on Hintz’s goal during a 5-on-3 power play 14 seconds before the second intermission.

New Jersey improved to 2-for-2 on the power play Tuesday when Hischier re-directed a puck past DeSmith 12:18 into the third period. The Devils’ comeback was completed on Pesce’s goal during a delayed penalty at the 15:52 mark.

–Field Level Media