Stars’ Lian Bichsel scores in his NHL debut, but Predators spoil the night

On December 13, 2024By Littum

Entering the season as one of the Stanley Cup favorites and remaining near the top of the standings throughout the season, the Stars have had a handful of surprising losses through the first two months of 2024-25.

Against the Buffalo Sabres, now on an eight-game losing streak, the Anaheim Ducks at home and the Chicago Blackhawks (tied for the league’s worst record) the night before Thanksgiving, some of Dallas’ losses have come against the NHL’s worst teams — and in decisive fashion.

After three nights without a game, the Stars lost another in similar fashion, playing down their opponent and falling 4-1 to the Nashville Predators. Although the Predators were expected to be one of the league’s best teams this year after making some key free agency moves for players like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, they’ve actually been the worst. Thursday’s win was just their eighth in 30 games played and snapped their eight game losing streak.

“Not close to being competitive enough,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “It was disappointing and everyone was.”

Through the first half of the game, it looked like it would be a goaltending battle as neither Dallas’ Jake Oettinger nor Nashville’s Justus Annunen allowed a goal.

But defensive breakdowns, lost board games and bad turnovers plagued the Stars all night, and Oettinger could only last so long.

Nils Lundkvist got muscled out on the boards, allowing Marchessault to set up Ryan O’Reilly for Nashville’s first goal midway through the second period.

Not long after, the Stars left Tommy Novak alone in danger, where he was able to receive a pass and make a move on Oettinger to score.

The Predators’ third goal came when Lundkvist was unable to clear the puck and O’Reilly tipped in Kevin Gravel’s shot for his second goal of the night.

The three goals were scored in less than three minutes. Nashville added an empty netter with less than four minutes to play.

After winning his first 10 games at American Airlines Center this season, Oettinger dropped his first on home ice and made 22 saves. Annunen, on the other hand, finished with 37 saves.

He allowed a lone goal midway through the third period when Stars rookie Lian Bichsel, making his NHL debut in the game, scored on a wrist shot in transition. Not known for his goalscoring abilities, it was a special moment for the young defender.

“He did a great job for his first game,” DeBoer said. “He showed what’s exciting about him. I think he had five hits. He’s a big body. The way he came off the ice on that goal, the way he skated, we like that element from our defenders.

The overall lackluster performance was surprising as the Stars were well-rested but appeared less physical and aggressive on loose pucks. That was even with the addition of the 6-7 rookie, a physical blue liner.

Nashville scored two more goals than the four that appeared on the final score sheet. But the Stars’ video team successfully challenged one for offside in the first period and another for goalie interference in the third period, so they were taken off the board.

“Our video review coaches were by far our best players tonight,” DeBoer said.

The Stars’ six-game homestand continues Saturday with another opponent in the Central Division – St. Louis Blues.

See photos: Lian Bichsel scores debut goal in Stars’ loss to Predators

Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.