DALLAS (AP) — Stars coach Glen Gulutzan has repeatedly said that he wants them to compete more in every aspect. That message was prominent even after Dallas won its first two games on the road against division opponents it also beat in the playoffs last season.

The Stars finished practice Monday, the day before their home opener, with players going through a 1-on-1 drill battling for pucks. Pairs of players were spread out over the ice at the same time, with even the two goaltenders going head-to-head, as one teammate tried to keep the other from the puck.

“It’s a little race off the wall and compete at the end of the day,” Gulutzan said of the drill with three reps of 15-20 seconds each. “Some of the messaging today was when all talent becomes equal on both sides, it comes down to hand-to-hand combat.”

Dallas’ home opener Tuesday night against Minnesota will be Gulutzan’s first behind the Stars bench since the 2013 season finale. That was a couple of weeks before he was fired by then-new general manager Jim Nill, the same GM that brought him back as head coach in July after the Stars finished all three of their seasons under Pete DeBoer with losses in the Western Conference Final.

“He’s brought a lot of really good energy and a really good message to our group,” veteran forward Matt Duchene said of Gulutzan. “We’re just going to keep getting better. We’re at square one right now. … We can win a lot of games, but we want to improve in some areas. And he’s going to help us for sure.”

Same score, different games

While the Stars won 5-4 at both Winnipeg and Colorado, those were much different games.

Dallas had a 5-1 lead against the Jets before they scored two empty-net goals after defensive lapses on the same power play in the third period. Two nights later in Colorado, the Stars were outshot 39-22 and bailed out by goalie Jake Oettinger’s 35 saves before former Mikko Rantanen had the deciding tally in a shootout against his former team.

“It definitely feels probably feels more like we’re 1-1 than 2-0, but we’re 2-0,” Duchene said. “So we’ve got to make sure that we take that mulligan and run with it, and not give it back at some point.”

Gulutzan said the Stars were a “very good” team for 50 minutes at Winnipeg, but didn’t have their legs at Colorado in a win he credited to Oettinger.

“We’re going to have a game this year where we’re going to out-shoot, out-chance an opponent and not come out with anything. That’s just the way the league is,” Gulutzan said. “The hockey gods even these things out. So we’re going to have a game like that, and all we have to do is rewind to Colorado and OK, now we’re even.”

Seven Stars scoring

Seven players have already scored goals for the Stars. Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson both have two.

“What I am learning is that we don’t need much to score. We have a bunch of guys that don’t need much to score,” Gulutzan said. “But what we need to do is keep pushing the territory battle into our favor. Because if you just counter-punch like we did the other night. … If we gain more territory with the players we have and win the territorial battle, it’ll even increase how good we can be.”

Johnston said all has been good so far in the adjustment to Gulutzan as coach.

“I’ve liked what we’ve done,” Johnston said. “I like how he’s kind of prepared us for the start of the year.”

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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ATLANTA – Atlanta police are investigating after gunfire erupted early Monday outside a business along Cheshire Bridge Road.

What we know:

According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers were called to the 2100 block of Cheshire Bridge Road shortly after 3 a.m. after reports of shots fired. 

When officers arrived, they found two vehicles struck by gunfire and a woman who suffered minor injuries from broken glass. 

Authorities said her injuries were not life-threatening.

According to investigators, the shooting happened during what appeared to be a parking lot meet-up. 

Police said no one was shot in the incident.

What we don’t know:

Police have not released the names of anyone involved, including the injured woman.

Investigators have not said how many people took part in the parking lot meet-up or their relationship with one another.

A motive has not been described.

Police have not identified any suspects, announced arrests, or said whether they are seeking specific individuals or vehicles.

The type of weapon used and how many rounds were fired have not been disclosed.

It is unclear whether surveillance video or other recordings captured the gunfire.

Officials have not said whether the vehicles were occupied when they were hit or whether additional property was damaged.

Police have not indicated whether charges are expected once the circumstances are determined.

It’s unclear whether investigators have interviewed the injured woman or any witnesses.

What you can do:

Anyone with information is asked to call the Atlanta Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Atlanta with any further details. 

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – This year, News 12’s First Alert Weather Team is doing something called the “Three Degree Guarantee.”

Each weekday, if our forecast high is within three degrees of the actual high for the day, our sponsor, Tub Doctor, donates $50 to the nonprofit of their choice.

In September, that was Augusta United.

We raised $1,000 through our correct forecasts.

Your First Alert Chief Meteorologist, Riley Hale, had the pleasure of presenting that check.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.