Robertson’s overtime goal caps Stars’ 3-2 comeback over Predators for 8th straight win

DALLAS (AP) — Jason Robertson scored 1:47 into overtime, lifting the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday night for their eighth straight win.

Nathan Bastian and Wyatt Johnston scored in regulation for the Stars, who trailed 2-0 after one period. Dallas has rallied from deficits to win each of its three games against Nashville this season — two after trailing 2-0.

Jake Oettinger stopped 25 shots in his first start since returning from the Milan-Cortina Olympics, where he was the backup for the gold medal-winning U.S. team. He's 7-0 in his last seven starts.

Dallas tied the team's longest winning streak, set March 16 to April 3, 2024. The Stars have won their last six home games and improved to 20-4-9 in one-goal games this season. They have the second-most wins in the NHL in one-goal games, behind only the New York Islanders (22-5-5).

Michael Bunting and Steven Stamkos each scored for the Predators in the opening period. Juuse Saros made 22 saves.

With the Predators leading 2-1, Bastian scored on a wrist shot 5:31 into the third period to tie it.

In overtime, Brady Skjei nearly gave Nashville the win but hit the post. Seconds later, Johnston circled the net and missed, but Miro Heiskanen got the loose puck in the left circle. He sent a pass through the crease to an open Robertson, who got enough of the puck to direct it in for the win.

Johnston got the Predators on the scoreboard in the second period with his 32nd goal and 20th on the power play — extending his single-season record since the franchise relocated to Dallas in 1993-94. He’s also two power-play goals shy of tying the overall franchise record set by Dino Ciccarelli in 1986-87.

Predators: Host Detroit on Monday.

Stars: Play at Vancouver on Monday night.

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

Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts to scoring a goal in front of teammates center Ryan O'Reilly (90) and defenseman Adam Wilsby (83) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger defends the goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars right wing Nathan Bastian (11) scores a goal against Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) and defenseman Nick Perbix (48) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars right wing Nathan Bastian (11) celebrates his goal with teammates defenseman Nils Lundkvist (5) and left wing Adam Erne (73) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) celebrates his goal with teammate defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) in front of Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) and left wing Erik Haula (56) during overtime in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder guard Lu Dort was ejected as tempers flared in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City's 127-121 overtime victory over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

Dort fouled Jokic, and the Denver star got in Dort's face. A scrum ensued and Jokic and Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams were called for offsetting technical fouls. Dort was issued a Flagrant 2 and ejected.

The situation was brewing from the start. The Thunder beat Denver 4-3 in the Western Conference semifinals last season, and the Nuggets — especially Jokic — were committed to matching Oklahoma City's aggressive style.

Dort was a first-team All-Defensive selection last season with a reputation for pushing the boundaries of acceptable physical play. Crew chief James Williams said after the game that Dort's hip check/trip combination was dangerous.

“Lu Dort was assessed a flagrant foul penalty 2 because we deemed his contact on Jokic to be unnecessary and excessive with a high potential for injury, and also because the contact led to an altercation that did not dissolve,” James Williams said. "So, by rule, a flagrant foul penalty 2 carries an automatic ejection."

Jokic, who had initiated contact with Thunder players throughout the game rather than letting it come to him, finally had enough.

“It’s an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction," Jokic said. "I think there are not supposed to be those things on the basketball floor, so it was just an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction by me.”

Nuggets coach David Adelman said he understood why Jokic finally snapped. He feels Jokic gets beat up when he's away from the basket and doesn't get the calls because of his 7-foot, 284-pound frame.

“I think he was reacting to what was being done to him," Adelman said. "And his reaction’s not going to be cower away. He’s competitive.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he's fine with the ejection, as long as the call is consistent.

“If J. Will (Jaylin Williams) is running off the floor and gets tripped, we expect a flagrant 2 from this point forward,” Daigneault said. “That’s all. If that’s the precedent, if it becomes a malicious play, and flagrant 2 is the line in the sand on that, we would expect that if it’s J. Will, we’d expect that it’s anybody. And if that is the case, we’re good.”

Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was called for a technical in the opening minutes when he threw the ball at Jokic, who made high contact with him after play had stopped. James Williams said he did not consider the contact by Jokic's left forearm to be unsportsmanlike.

Denver's bench was called for a technical in the third quarter, and there was plenty of trash talking and shoving throughout.

The teams meet March 9 in Oklahoma City.

"When we play them again, whatever it is, in like 10 days, I’m sure it’ll be the exact same way,” Adelman said.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, drives past Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, center, and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) falls into Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) as he goes after a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, second from left, goes after the ball in front of Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, drives past Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)