Wyatt Johnston scored, and Jake Oettinger made 22 saves for the Stars (11-6-2), who have won two of their past three games. It was Oettinger's League-leading fourth shutout of the season and 20th in the NHL.
“I felt great. The guys played great in front of me,” Oettinger said. “Everyone in front of me just did their job. It was impressive how well we defended after last game (8-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets). Just flushed it, and the guys played great.”
Said Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan: “Saves when you need them. Low-volume work through two periods, but then some quality, quality saves. For me, that’s the true sign … power play, PK, and goaltending — when are you getting these saves? And we got them when we needed them.”
Alex Lyon made 28 saves for the Sabres (8-8-4), who are 0-3-1 in their past four games.
“It’s difficult,” Lyon said. “Can’t (lie about) the position we’re in, to be honest with you. Kind of feels like we’re on a precipice, a little bit. Every team goes through these times throughout the course of a season. Good teams, mentally strong teams, find their way through it … the only way forward is everybody has to focus on bringing their next for 60 minutes, whatever that looks like, whatever it takes.”
Said Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff: “(Lyon) played really well for us. I think that coupled with the fact that we got our game in order on the defensive side. But we’ve gotta make that next play.”
Benn reached the milestone when he scored the opening goal of the game at 16:23 of the second period. Nils Lundkvist's one-timer from the right point was tipped by Justin Hryckowian in the right face-off circle, and the puck trickled off the left post to Benn, who snapped it into an open net.
“To see how he’s matured as he’s grown up, he’s 1,000 percent a team player,” Gulutzan said of Benn. “He’s what every coach would want as their captain. The guys know it, and I know it. So to stand there and see him get his 1,000th point, it’s pretty special.”
Benn is the second player to reach 1,000 points in Stars/North Stars franchise history, following Mike Modano (1,359).
“It means a lot, obviously, to be mentioned with him,” Benn said. “He’s a legend. Probably when you think of a Dallas Stars hockey player, you think of Mike Modano. He did a lot for this organization and the city of Dallas. Just cool to be a part of everything.”
Johnston scored for Dallas on a power play at 19:18 of the third period for the 2-0 final. Mikko Rantanen sent a cross-ice pass to Johnston at the backdoor, and Johnston tapped it in from the top of the crease.
“Kind of getting back in the saddle of the way we want to play,” Gulutzan said. “It’s hard to keep a team down the whole night. I thought they had some chances in the third. 'Otter' was great. Penalty kill was great.”
The Stars finished 1-for-5 on the power play. The Sabres were 0-for-5.
“We just gotta bury it,” Ruff said. “We had four or five point-blank opportunities. You gotta score.”
NOTES: Benn is the second fifth-round draft pick to reach 1,000 points, following Alexander Mogilny (1,032). ... Oettinger became the fifth goaltender in Stars/North Stars franchise history with 20 career shutouts. ... The Stars extended their active shutout streak to 153:51 against the Sabres dating to April 15. Only one team has a longer active run against an opponent: Washington Capitals (157:11 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs). ... Dallas forward Roope Hintz had an assist on Johnston's goal to extend his point streak to three games (two goals, three assists). ... Stars defenseman Kyle Burroughs had one hit in 8:50 of ice time in his season debut after he was recalled from Texas of the American Hockey League on Saturday. ... Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen missed his fourth straight game with an upper-body injury. He is doubtful to play against the Florida Panthers on Sunday. ... Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel was placed on injured reserve earlier in the day retroactive to Nov. 12.
