Robertson scores go-ahead goal late in 3rd, Stars edge Kings

LOS ANGELES -- Jason Robertson scored the go-ahead goal with 3:46 remaining in the third period for the Dallas Stars in a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.

Robertson gave the Stars a 2-1 lead with a backhand that made contact with the stick of Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, which sent the puck knuckling towards the net before deflecting in off defenseman Mikey Anderson.

Matt Duchene then scored an empty-net goal at 19:42 for the 3-1 final.

“You need a mucky goal like that,” Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan said. “When it’s that close, you’re looking for a one-percenter, just to try to change it some way.”

Wyatt Johnston also scored, and Esa Lindell and Sam Steel each had two assists for the Stars (27-10-9), who are 2-0-1 in their past three following a six-game skid (0-3-3). Jake Oettinger made 24 saves.

“I think that’s exactly what we needed, you know, a game that is not pretty at all,” said Dallas captain Jamie Benn, who returned after missing three games because of a cut to the nose. “It’s a grind right to the end, your goalie is your best player, and you find a way to win.”

Quinton Byfield scored a power-play goal, and Corey Perry recorded his 500th career assist for the Kings (19-16-10), who have lost three of four (1-2-1). Darcy Kuemper made 15 saves.

“That was super frustrating,” Doughty said. “I thought we played a really good game. Unfortunately, just a really bad bounce at the end.”

Johnston gave Dallas a 1-0 lead at 3:44 of the first period with a wrist shot from the slot off the rush that was set up by Steel. It was his fifth goal in his past five games.

“You got to stay as neutral as you can, not get too high, not get too low,” Johnston said. “You know, it’s a bit cliche, but it’s important just to stick with it no matter what happens.”

Byfield tied it 1-1 at 8:42 of the third period. Brandt Clarke kept the puck in the offensive zone at the blue line and found Perry, who then sent a backhand pass through the crease to Byfield for a one-timer.

Perry became the first player in NHL history to record his 500th assist at the age of 40 or older.

“Yeah, it’s pretty special,” Perry said. “I mean, you play this game long enough, the little milestones like that mean a lot.”

Mikko Rantanen appeared to put Dallas back in front at 14:03, but the Kings successfully challenged the play for offside.

“I mean, it’s hockey,” Robertson said. “We kind of could see on the TV that it was offside. … So, just reset, keep your composure, and stick with it.”

The Kings have failed to score more than two goals in 23 of their 45 games this season. It was also the 12th time they were held to one goal (1-9-2), seven of which have come since the start of December.

“That’s a very bad stretch,” Doughty said. “The season’s not gone or slipping away, I don’t think. We have time to get this back and get on a roll, and I still believe that we will. … Maybe a little more desperation, especially around that net to score some more goals. If we can score some more goals we’d be winning a lot more games.”

NOTES: Benn played with a visor for the first time in 1,216 career games but said he likely plans to go without it when the Stars visit the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. “I haven’t talked to my mom, but I know she loved it, and definitely my wife,” Benn said. … Before Perry, forward Steve Thomas had been the oldest player to reach 500 assists, doing so at 39 years and 263 days on April 4, 2003. … Robertson scored his 35th career game-winning goal, tying Joe Nieuwendyk and Roope Hintz for the seventh-most in Stars/Minnesota North Stars history.