Radulov, Pavelski 2 goals as Stars beat Preds 7-0 in opener

Joe Pavelski had two goals and two assists and Alexander Radulov also scored twice, helping Dallas beat the Nashville Predators 7-0 on Friday night in the Stars' delayed season opener.

The Stars unveiled their Western Conference championship banner, and then rolled past the Predators. Anton Khudobin stopped 34 shots in his first season-opening start, and Joel Kiviranta had a goal and an assist.

Five of Dallas' goals came in the second period, including three power-play goals and an unassisted short-handed wrist shot by Esa Lindell.

Dallas Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (2) and right wing Denis Gurianov (34) combine to strip the puck away from Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

The Stars were the last NHL team to open the season after their first four games, all scheduled on the road, were postponed because 17 players tested positive for COVID-19 during the abbreviated training camp. Only veteran forward Blake Comeau was unavailable for the first game because of COVID protocols, though the league doesn't specify the exact reason.

Nashville (2-2) played for the first time since Monday, a day before its second of back-to-back games against Carolina was postponed because of virus issues for the Hurricanes.

Dallas was at home for the first time in 318 days, since a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers on March 10 that was its sixth loss in a row. When the season resumed months later with the playoffs in the NHL bubble in Edmonton, the Stars reached their first Stanley Cup Final since 2000 before losing in Game 6 against Tampa Bay.

Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) compete for control of the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

A socially distanced crowd of 4,214 attended the opener. The normal hockey capacity is 18,532 at the American Airlines Center, where the NBA's Dallas Mavericks are playing without fans.

Khudobin had never started a playoff game before going 14-10 last summer when Ben Bishop was unavailable because of a torn meniscus in his knee. Bishop is still rehabbing from offseason surgery.

Khudobin became a free agent, but quickly re-signed with Dallas for $10 million over three seasons. He had never started an opener in his 11 previous NHL seasons.

Dallas Stars coach Rick Bowness stands behind players as fans sitting a distance away watch the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

His ninth career shutout was also his 100th regular-season win.

Radulov had the primary assist on Pavelski’s shot from a knee in front of the left circle with a 5-on-3 advantage for the first goal. The Stars were still on the power play 1:26 later when Pavelski took a shot and Radulov, with his back to the net, redirected the puck through his legs and past goalie Jusse Saros.

After Denis Gurianov scored on another power play, Radulov put Dallas up 4-0 when he got up from behind the net and had a backhanded swipe of his stick to get his second goal, this one at even strength.

Dallas Stars' John Klingberg (3), Joe Pavelski (16), Roope Hintz (24) and Jamie Benn (14) celebrate with Alexander Radulov (47) following his goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Pavelski and Kiviranta added power-play goals in the third period, those against Pekka Rinne, who entered after Saros allowed five goals on 20 shots.

CAPTAIN HURT

Stars captain Jamie Benn was injured when his right leg buckled awkwardly after a collision with Viktor Arvidsson in the second period. Benn had to be helped before walking gingerly down the tunnel. He was back on the ice a few minutes later for Gurianov's power-play goal, but didn't return in the third period.

Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (35) and right wing Alexander Radulov (47) celebrate after Radulov scored during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. The goal was the second in the night for Radulov. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

DELAYED DEBUT

Predators center Mikael Granlund made his season debut, after a weeklong quarantine and only one practice since returning from his home in Finland. He had four shots while playing nearly 18 minutes. Three of the shots game in the first period, including a wraparound attempt into Khudobin’s pads and a hard second shot on the rebound.

WHAT'S NEXT

Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (35) defends against a shot by Nashville Predators center Mikael Granlund (64) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

The teams play again in Dallas on Sunday night, the second of four home games in a row for the Stars.

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Dallas Stars right wing Alexander Radulov (47) celebrates his goal, between between Nashville Predators defensemen Mattias Ekholm (14) and Mark Borowiecki (90) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Dallas Stars' Nick Caamano (17) helps clear the puck away from the net as goaltender Anton Khudobin watches during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)