Cirelli scores twice, Lightning defeat Stars 3-1

Updated Feb. 11, 2023 3:49 p.m. ET

Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) — Anthony Cirelli scored twice, including the winner with 43 seconds to play, to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

Victor Hedman took the puck behind the net and attempted a wrap-around, putting the puck in front for Cirelli to tap it past Dallas goalie Scott Wedgewood. Cirelli also assisted on Brandon Hagel's empty-netter as time expired.

Tampa Bay dominated the third period, outshooting the Stars 16-5.

Hagel also had an assist and Alex Killorn had two. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy had 28 saves, allowing only Jamie Benn’s 21st goal this season in the second period.

Wedgewood also made 28 saves.

Cirelli had scored just three goals in his first 23 games this season. But in the Lightning's last two games — both wins — he has two goals and two assists. Hagel has three goals and two assists in that span.

Each team scored once in the second period, when Dallas outshot the Lightning 12-10. More important may have been Wedgewood making two stops on Steven Stamkos, who came into the day with 20 goals in 23 games against the Stars.

Cirelli scored the game's first goal at 10:13 of the second. He split two defenders, took a pass from Hagel and beat Wedgewood with a backhand.

Benn took matters by himself to tie the game at 1. He picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, skated in on Vasilevskiy from the right faceoff circle, feinted as if to pass and sent the puck inside the left post.

INJURIES

Lightning: LW Nicholas Paul (upper-body) was scratched for the second straight game, so Tampa Bay played with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

UP NEXT

Lightning: Play the second of four road games at Columbus on Tuesday.

Stars: Complete a stretch of eight home games on Tuesday against Boston.

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