Dallas Stars Need Game 7 Victory From Ducks

Just because the Dallas Stars are out of playoffs doesn’t mean they still don’t have a lot riding on playoffs.

Looks like hockey fans have several interesting, tooth-and-nail Game 6s and possibly 7s in our near future. The Capitals and Penguins are close to that deciding game, with the series tilted in Pittsburg’s favor 3-2 as they approach game 6 tonight.

The Senators and Rangers are in a similar spot, with the Senators leading 3-2 as they wait for Game 6 to be decided tomorrow.

But the one we Stars fans are really interested in will be the Game 7 showdown between the Ducks and the Oilers on Wednesday. Even though the Stars aren’t in the playoffs, it’s safe to say they have invested heavily in this series with their Eaves trade and in order for it to not have been primarily in vain, the Ducks need to make it out of this round.

Easier said than done. Two seasons ago, who would have thought that would be the case against the Oilers? But better than anybody, we know that things change and they can do so pretty quickly. Still, the Stars have already paid their price for that and now the Ducks are in the hot seat.

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In yesterday’s series-tying Game 6, the Oilers pulled ahead to shut down the Ducks in a downright miserable 7-1 loss. Edmonton scored 5 of those goals in the first period of the game, two in the second, and then coasted through the third period.

I’m sure there’s a lesson in there somewhere for the Stars. Well, more like many lessons. Start production early and don’t give up a lead? Don’t stop playing the in the third period? Just keep scoring goals like your life depends on it?

But no matter- the Stars are still where they are. Unfortunately, the Ducks will be in that same place if things go south for them on Wednesday. If this is the case and the Oilers come out on top, the Stars have not only lost Patrick Eaves, but have given up their rights to the Ducks’ first round draft pick.

And if nothing else from this season still stings for the Stars, that would have to hurt. Eaves was an integral piece of the Stars’ team this season. Arguably, the Ducks have made it to this point with a lot of crucial and well-timed help from the former Star.

And of course, good for the Ducks. But if they can’t make it past this hurdle, well, the Stars have given a great, reliable, and beloved player over to Corey Perry‘s team for nothing more than a second-round pick. While that isn’t all bad, it could obviously be much better.

So yes, folks, the stakes are still high for the Stars, even out of playoffs. Although the Oilers have seemed bent on wearing out the back of the net, the Ducks know that what they had yesterday was simply a horribly off game that they need to put behind them.

Next: Dallas Stars Cannot Afford Another First Round Bust In NHL Draft

And although I harbor no secret love for Anaheim, I’m really gunning for them to do just that. For us, for Eaves, and for the Stars.

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