Another slow start doomed the Dallas Stars.
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final slipped away from the Western Conference champions in a hurry Wednesday night, with a suddenly vulnerable Anton Khudobin allowing two early goals and the Tampa Bay Lightning once again showing how difficult it is play catchup against them in a 5-2 victory.
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos scored in the first seven minutes for Tampa Bay, which just was getting started. A trio of goals in the second period built the lead to 5-1, ending an ugly night for Khudobin.
Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (35) turns the puck away as Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) and Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) look for the puck during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
The Stars also started slowly in Game 2, yielding three first-period goals — two of them on the power play — on the way to a 3-2 loss.
Now, they’re facing a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Friday night.
While Khudobin one of the biggest reasons Dallas is back in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years, he hasn’t been at this best since winning Game 1.
Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (35) looks back for the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning center Blake Coleman (20) and Stars left wing Joel Kiviranta (25) work behind the net during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
He stopped just 24 of 29 shots Wednesday night. Over the last five periods he's played, he's allowed eight goals in 60 shots.
Jake Oettinger replaced Khudobin at the start of third period. He stopped the only three shots he faced.
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Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette (13) checks Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)