Pittsburgh Penguins vs Dallas Stars: Karlsson cashes in on the power play as empty-netters finish it

The Pittsburgh Penguins entered at 36-21 with 3 points, and the Dallas Stars arrived at 44-18 with 6 points, as the Stars took it 6-3 at PPG Paints Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins vs Dallas Stars final score reflected a Dallas team that scored 4 times in the second period while the Pens scored once in each period.

First period

The Pens opened the scoring with 1 goal in the first period while recording 12 hits and 1 power-play goal on 4 opportunities in the game. Erik Karlsson was credited among the game stars, and his 1 goal and 2 assists in his previous outing matched Pittsburgh’s need for blue-line offense in this matchup. The Stars ended the first period with 0 goals, and Dallas finished the game with 26 shots and a 59 percent faceoff win rate.

Second period

The Stars swung the game in the second period with 4 goals, and Dallas also finished 2-for-5 on the power play. The Pens scored 1 goal in the second period, and Pittsburgh ended the night with 1 power-play goal on 3 shots with 10 penalty minutes. What went wrong for Pittsburgh Penguins showed up in the team totals, with 17 giveaways and a 41 percent faceoff win rate against a Stars group that won 33 faceoffs.

Third period

The Pens added 1 goal in the third period, and Pittsburgh finished with 19 hits and 25 blocked shot attempts. The Stars scored 2 times in the third period, and Dallas logged 2 empty-net goals while the Pens recorded 12 shots. Pittsburgh Penguins vs Dallas Stars highlights centered on Dallas converting chances at 23 percent shooting while Pittsburgh’s 20 saves in goal still came with 6 total goals against.

Postgame notes

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Dallas Stars review begins with the Stars getting the winning decision in net with 9 saves on 12 shots against, while Pittsburgh’s goalie line showed 20 saves on 26 shots against. Dallas also had Jason Robertson listed among the game stars, and the Pens had Karlsson listed as a game star after Pittsburgh produced 5 assists on 3 goals.

The Pens next appear as the away team against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Belmont Park on 3/30/2026 at 7:00 PM EDT, with the broadcast airing on NHL Network, MSGSN, and SportsNet PT. Keep it locked for the next recap, and share this article with other Penguins fans.