The Dallas Stars used four second-period goals to hang on and win a thriller against the Nashville Predators 4-3.

In a battle of two teams who figure to be contenders for both the Central Division title and the Stanley Cup, it was the Stars who once again took a season opener in the Music City.

During the first period, both teams had their fair share of chances and power plays but the game remained scoreless.

Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger made several key saves to keep the game level after the opening frame.

Early in the second, the Stars would score four goals on five shots to assert their dominance and remind us of the team that made a run to the conference finals last season.

Roope Hintz would get the Stars’ first goal of the season when he buried a drop pass from Logan Stankoven to make it 1-0.

Hintz would have the primary assist on the second goal of the night when he slammed on the breaks and left a pass for Jason Robertson who ripped home his first goal of the season to make it 2-0.

Mason Marchment found the back of the net for the Stars’ next two goals to continue his hot streak in season openers.

“I think in the first period we were a little sloppy, but after that I thought in the second period we were really good,” Marchment said. “We played our game and showed it. I thought even in the third we shut them down pretty well. They got a couple looks, but good teams are going to get those. I thought we played pretty well for the first game.”

Nashville scored one goal on the powerplay in the second and another on a breakaway in the third before Ryan O’Reilly sniped one home with 1:32 to go to make it a one-goal game.

Following the O’Reilly goal, the Predators would hit the post twice in the game’s final 50 seconds to come inches away from tying it.

Overall, it was a solid night for Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger who made 33 saves on 36 attempts. Two of the goals Oettinger allowed were down a man and the other was on a breakaway.

Sure, the Stars will have to play a lot cleaner down the stretch but for game number one, this was a great start for Pete Deboer’s club.

“It’s game one,” DeBoer said. “A lot of things to work on for everybody, but a tough rink to come into against a really good team. I thought we were in full control of that game at 4-1. We gave them a little bit of life there in the third, but that’s all a learning process for us. I thought they pushed hard like we knew they would in their home opener, a lot of new guys in the lineup, something to prove. I thought for the most part we played a smart road game, and our goalie was really good.”