Kevin Stenlund Gets A Deflection Goal To Tie Game vs Dallas

SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah Hockey Club is playing its last game before the Christmas break, taking on the Dallas Stars in a division clash as the two teams battle for position in the Western Conference’s Central Division.

Utah and Dallas were providing an exciting first period for the fans at Delta Center, trading quality scoring chances.

With 8:58 remaining in the period, Utah turned the puck over in the neutral zone, resulting in a 2-on-1 in favor of the Stars. Colin Blackwell took advantage, putting Dallas up 1-0

Utah pushed to get the goal back before the end of the period, regaining possession after a Dallas stint in their offensive zone. Michael Carcone led the Utah march, making his way toward net before hitting the breaks and turning back toward the blue line.

Carcone dumped it off for the trailing Ian Cole, who unleashed a one-timer. Kevin Stenlund, who was posted up in the face of Casey DeSmith, caught a piece of the rocket, redirecting it into the back of the goal, sending Delta Center into a frenzy.

The goal with 7:08 remaining put the Utah Hockey Club and Dallas Stars even at one goal a piece.

Stenny ties it up for The Club! pic.twitter.com/AMiUZrb5Qd

— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 24, 2024

It’s time for some accountability on Utah’s third line

While Utah’s third line struggles have been addressed many times before, it’s now reaching unacceptable levels and there hasn’t been a solution.

Despite an effort to mix things up in the third period by dropping Lawson Crouse to the fourth line, there simply needs to be more significant changes made in order to correct that trio’s poor performances.

Lawson Crouse has been moved down to the fourth line.

Carcone up to the third.#UtahHC

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 23, 2024

“We have four lines. We move around and we did it last week as well. Switch it a little bit. We’re trying to get everybody going,” Tourigny said.

During the month of December, Lawson Crouse, Matias Maccelli and Nick Bjugstad have combined for just four points.

Against the Ducks, Keller had that many on his own in just 40 minutes of hockey. So, something is clearly off with that line and it needs more significant correction.

However, mixing up the lines is not the right way to go about it as the first, second and fourth are all rolling. It’s simply not worth switching Michael Carcone for Crouse, nor is that going to yield results.

A scratch is absolutely necessary at this point. If nobody on that line wants to produce, why not give Liam O’Brien a shot to see if he can bring something different?

They could also bring back Josh Doan who was sent down to the AHL after just nine games because he only scored twice. That’s half as many as Crouse has scored in 32 appearances.

Look, Utah is playing great hockey right now. They’re winning most of their games, climbing in the standings and even managed a point in two of their losses this month.

But that success is overshadowing poor play from the third line and if they want to take a real shot at the playoffs, they will eventually need more from that group.