In light of what happened just over 24 hours ago and the fact that the Dallas Stars traveled under some rather difficult circumstances to face the St. Louis Blues, who currently lead the NHL with 95 points, expecting a win in the Gateway City on Tuesday night might have been a tall order.
But thanks to Stars captain Jamie Benn, who scored the game-winner with a wrister from the right circle with 1:18 remaining in overtime, Dallas left the Scottrade Center with a 3-2 overtime win over the Blues.
The victory came just over 24 hours after the Stars saw teammate Rich Peverley collapse on the bench due to a cardiac event, then receive medical attention behind their bench and ultimately sent to a local hospital.
Peverley's condition is stable and texted many of his teammates last night. Doctors will provide an update on his condition at a Wednesday afternoon press conference at a local hospital.
Tim Thomas, acquired nearly one week ago from the Florida Panthers prior to the NHL Trade Deadline last Wednesday, stopped 28 of 30 shots to earn his second win with Dallas.
"Well, I thought he was good. I thought we did a good job in front of him but he made a couple of real good saves on their power play that could have got St. Louis some energy," Stars head coach Lindy Ruff said. "You know he's not going to play a passive game. Tim's going to be aggressive and he's going to challenge guys when you don't think you're going to be challenged, and I like the game he gave us. I thought it was a real solid game."
Thomas admitted that when the puck found its way over to Benn, who also had an assist in the OT win over a Blues team featuring several former Dallas teammates in Brenden Morrow, Steve Ott and Derek Roy, he was hoping the captain would end the game.
"When I saw the puck come to Jamie there, I was like bury it and then he put it top shelf, did an awesome job," Thomas said.
Besides the game-winner from Benn, the Stars, who now have a few days before hitting the ice again on Friday night against the Calgary Flames at American Airlines Center, also received goals from Antoine Roussel in the second period and one from Colton Sceviour, a power-play goal, in the opening frame.
Along with Chris Mueller, Sceviour was recalled from the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League late last night, which meant a drive from Cedar Park to Dallas last night so they could hop an early flight to St. Louis on Wednesday morning.
"It was a whirlwind, kind of a tough situation to be (in)," Sceviour said postgame. "You're happy (to get called up) but at the same time, you're shaken up for a guy that I played a few games with this year and you feel for. So it was definitely a little mixed emotions, but I thought the game went well."
And like he has for much of the season, Sceviour leads the AHL in goals with 32. And no matter the circumstances, the young goal scorer has made a favorable impression on Ruff every team he's been summoned from the minors this season.
"Yeah, he's a hard guy not to like because he's got quick hands around the front of the net and it seems like every game he's in on a great opportunity or he's making a difference," Ruff said.
The veteran head coach said he'd texted Peverley right after the win and the Stars center quickly responded, telling them to keep it rolling.
But true to form, it was the man who netted the game winner for Dallas and who wears the "C" who summed up the win perfectly.
"Obviously, it was a great win. I thought our guys did a great job tonight in staying patient. They're a good team to play against. They're tough to play against, but I thought we did a great job from Timmy (Thomas) to the D right up to the forwards," Benn said.
