Biggest game of the season. Division on the line. Playoff spot and the season on the line and guess what, the Stars gave up a goal less than a minute into the game. Joe Pavelski took the puck, skated into the slot untouched and easily shot one by Kari Lehtonen. I have no clue what the defense was doing on this one. Stephane Robidas and Sheldon Souray did absolutely nothing to stop Pavelski.
Dallas would get a power play a bit later and get their best chance of the game. Michael Ryder had an incredible opportunity to tie the game when he found himself with the puck and staring at a wide open net. The only problem was that Justin Braun stuck his stick out at the very last second and knocked the puck over the net.
The Sharks had three power play opportunities in the period but couldn't get past Lehtonen on the first two chances. They connected on the third chance though. Martin Havlat made a great pass to Jason Demers that Demers was able to put past Lehtonen. Havlat was standing beside the goal and put up a high saucer pass over two defenders to Demers.
There was nothing positive in this period for Dallas. They were outshot, outchanced and 100% outplayed in the opening 20 minutes of the game. They need to get back into the locker room and slap themselves awake. There's not a lot of energy in the team and the cheap penalties are doing them no good.