Dallas Stars rally in overtime to defeat Calgary Flames

The Stars came back from a slow start to earn a crucial win in the playoff race.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:55am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game between the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames, with the players and rink elements broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.The Dallas Stars' comeback victory over the Calgary Flames showcases the team's resilience and determination, even when facing an early deficit.Dallas Today

The Dallas Stars overcame a sluggish first period to defeat the Calgary Flames 4-3 in overtime. Despite falling behind early, the Stars rallied in the second period thanks to a goal from Justin Hryckowian and went on to secure the victory in the extra session, keeping their hold on home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Why it matters

The win was crucial for the Stars, who are locked in a tight battle with the Minnesota Wild for positioning in the Central Division. Earning two points against a weaker opponent like the Flames will be key as Dallas looks to clinch home-ice for the postseason.

The details

The Stars came out flat in the first period, failing to generate much offense against the Flames. Calgary took advantage, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. But Dallas found its footing in the second, with Hryckowian scoring to cut the deficit. The teams traded goals in the third period, setting up the overtime finish, where the Stars were able to complete the comeback.

  • The game was played on April 7, 2026.
  • The Stars trailed 2-0 after the first period.

The players

Justin Hryckowian

A Stars forward who scored a key goal in the second period to help spark the comeback.

Jake Oettinger

The Stars' starting goaltender, who made several key saves to keep his team in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We needed to wake up faster in the first period than we did tonight. Minnesota is licking its chops if that's how the Stars plan to start playoff games.”

— Anonymous, Stars fan

What’s next

The Stars will look to build on this win when they face the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. A victory against their division rival would help Dallas further solidify its hold on home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

While the Stars were able to overcome their slow start and earn a crucial two points, the team will need to play with more urgency and intensity from the opening faceoff if they hope to make a deep playoff run. Relying too heavily on goaltender Jake Oettinger is a risky strategy, and the Stars' offense will need to step up to support him.