Rantanen, Duchene, Johnston each have goal and assist as Stars beat Kings 4-1

DALLAS (AP) — Mikko Rantanen, Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston had a goal and an assist each and Casey DeSmith tied a Dallas record with his 11th consecutive game earning points as the Stars rallied past the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Monday night.

Oskar Back scored his first NHL winning goal for the Stars, who are second in the overall standings and avoided their first three-game losing streak since mid-October.

DeSmith made 27 saves and is 8-0-3 after losing his first start of the season, matching Ed Belfour’s 8-0-3 run during the 1998-99 season.

Andrei Kuzmenko scored an unassisted 5-on-3 goal for the Kings, who have lost their last three games.

Los Angeles’ Anton Forsberg stopped 17 shots, entering play with four minutes left in the first period after starter Darcy Kuemper was hit high by Rantanen.

Duchene’s redirection at the net tied the score 1-1 late in the second period and was his first point in five games since missing 24 games following a concussion in mid-October.

Duchene’s goal came about four minutes after Kuzmenko opened the scoring.

Rantanen skated with the puck from Dallas’ defensive zone and gave Dallas a 3-1 lead with 3:49 to play. Johnston added an empty-netter in the final minute.

Kuemper left after the hit from Rantanen, who skated into the crease with the puck while manned by Brian Dumoulin. Johnston scored seconds after the collision, but the play was ruled goalie interference. Kuemper was soon led off the ice, having made five saves.

Four of Kuzmenko’s five goals this season are power-play goals on a team whose power play ranks last in the NHL at 14.7%.

Both teams will next begin road back-to-backs, the Kings at Florida on Wednesday and the Stars at San Jose on Thursday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Dallas Stars goaltender Casey Desmith, left, skates away as Los Angeles Kings left wing Andrei Kuzmenko, far right, celebrates his second period goal with right wing Corey Perry (10) during an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Dallas Stars goaltender Casey Desmith (1) makes a kick save as Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) attacks during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) is tended by a trainer after colliding on a play against Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, bottom right, lies on the ice after a collision with Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, left, collides with Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2025--

The Sales and Service Safety Association (S2SA) proudly recognizes Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg as the 100th company to achieve SAFE Work Certification. This achievement represents a major milestone in Manitoba’s journey toward building safer, healthier workplaces and reflects Mercedes’ strong commitment to employee well-being and continuous improvement.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251216319650/en/

At Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg, excellence extends beyond the vehicles they sell; it defines how they work, lead, and care for one another. Since opening in the early 2000s, the dealership has set the standard for premium service across Manitoba, built on a foundation of trust, precision, and people. Step inside their workplace culture in the full video.

Pursuing SAFE Work Certification was a natural evolution of that commitment. Just as Mercedes-Benz sets benchmarks for craftsmanship and performance, the dealership believes its workplace should reflect the same level of care. The certification process enhanced communication, strengthened consistency, and deepened the team’s shared dedication to safety in every aspect of operations.

“Achieving SAFE Work Certification was about more than compliance; it was about ensuring our culture of excellence extends to the well-being of our people,” said Jennifer Coyle, Human Resources Generalist at Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg. “Our team came together with one shared goal: to create an environment where everyone feels valued, protected, and proud to be part of Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg.”

From the showroom to the service bays and collision centre, safety is now an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg experience, another way the dealership delivers the exceptional quality and care its people and customers deserve.

S2SA supported Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg through every stage of the certification journey, from training and safety program development to internal auditing and continuous improvement planning. The certification not only helps reduce workplace incidents but also provides long-term benefits such as lower WCB premiums, greater employee confidence, and a stronger organizational culture.

“Reaching our 100th certified company is a proud moment for everyone at S2SA,” said Lee Rosenberg, Safety Program Director at S2SA. “It’s proof that when businesses commit to doing safety right, real change follows. Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg has shown that leadership and teamwork can turn safety from a requirement into a shared value.”

Since launching theSAFE Work Certificationprogram, S2SA has guided businesses across Manitoba’s sales and service sectors, from auto dealerships to heavy equipment service and rental, in building safer and more productive workplaces. The milestone with Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg underscores the growing number of organizations recognizing safety as both a moral and strategic priority. 

As S2SA continues to support companies on their certification journeys, the goal remains the same: to simplify safety and integrate it into everyday operations across Manitoba’s sales and service industries.

About the Sales and Service Safety Association (S2SA)

The Sales and Service Safety Association (S2SA) is dedicated to providing industry-specific training, consulting services, and SAFE Work Certification to businesses in Manitoba’s sales and service sectors. Our mission is to streamline the process of implementing effective safety programs, ultimately enhancing the well-being of employees and customers alike.

For more information, visit s2sa.ca.

Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg has officially become the 100th company to achieve SAFE Work Certification through the Sales and Service Safety Association. This milestone reflects the dealership’s long-standing commitment to a workplace culture built on trust, precision, and genuine care for its people. With support from S2SA, the team strengthened communication, consistency, and safety practices across every area of operations. This achievement shows what’s possible when leadership and staff move together toward one goal: creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, protected, and proud.