Kings vs. Stars: Dallas holds off Kings for 2-1 victory

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Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen stopped Jack Johnson’s penalty shot with 52 seconds left to preserve a 2-1 victory at the American Airlines Center on Monday.

The Kings were awarded the penalty shot when Dallas defenseman Jeff Woywitka covered the puck in the goal crease with his hand. Johnson tried to sweep the puck around the right leg of Lehtonen, who easily stuffed the shot.

Dallas took the lead on two power-play goals in the second period.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Bernier stopped seven shots on the Stars’ three power plays in the first period. But the Kings kept going to the box and Bernier could not keep covering for them.

Defenseman Matt Greene took an unnecessary roughing penalty in the corner. Loui Eriksson redirected a Brad Richards pass 14 seconds later to tie the score, 1-1, 11:24 into the second period.

Brad Richardson was sent off for delay of game after flipping the puck into the stands from the Kings’ zone. Richards made another highlight-reel pass, this time sending the puck across ice to the far post, where Jamie Langenbrunner tapped it in for a 2-1 lead 16:59 into the period.

Bernier, who is making a second consecutive start for the first time this season, has stopped 20 of 22 shots.

The Kings took the lead 7:30 into the game when Justin Williams circled in from the left and flicked the puck through the crease and off Dallas defenseman Nicklas Grossman, who was tangled with Ryan Smyth, for the goal.

--Chris Foster