Dallas Stars Win First Playoff Series Since 2008
After falling in overtime to Minnesota in game five, the Dallas Stars were forced into a game six in St. Paul. However, it proved to be no problem, as the Stars won the series by defeating the Wild on Sunday afternoon.
The Dallas Stars met the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon in St. Paul. After falling in game five, the victory green once again had a chance to finish the series.
They did just that. The Stars found a way to hold on against their division foes. A 5-4 win sent the Dallas Stars into the second round of the NHL playoffs, and clinched their first playoff series victory since 2008.
Game Summary
Both teams had early chances in the game, but the Dallas Stars broke through first. After two Minnesota penalties, John Klingberg broke found the back of the net on a 5-on-3 advantage just 5:56 into the game. Right after that, Jason Spezza slipped one between the pipes, too, and doubled the lead.
Just as the period was coming to a close, Patrick Sharp scored the Dallas Stars’ third goal of the period, and sent them into the break with even more momentum.
It looked as if the second period would be a goalless one, but with just seconds remaining, Jamie Benn sniped one home, increasing the Stars lead to 4-0, and recording his 10th point of the series. The Dallas Stars were well on their way to victory with just one period to play.
In the third, a Dallas penalty led to a Minnesota Wild power-play goal, as Jared Spurgeon scored less than four minutes into the period. Just 16 seconds after that, Jonas Brodin make it 4-2, and just like that, it was a two-goal game.
Minnesota wasn’t done. Just before the half-way point of the final period, Jared Spurgeon scored his second goal of the period, cutting the Dallas lead down to one.
Just moments later, however, Devan Dubnyk put one in his own net, giving Dallas a huge break, as the Stars retook their two-goal lead. Then, more drama.
With just over four minutes left, Jason Pominville scored the fifth goal of the period, and once again made it a one-goal game.
Lucky for Dallas, that was all the scoring, and the Stars pulled out the thrilling game and series victory.
Related Story: Dallas Stars Will Have A Gem In Stephen Johns
Thoughts and Observations
Game Seven? The Dallas Stars had other plans. They pulled it off in game six, and won their first playoff series in eight years.
Jamie Benn was magnificent as usual. Kari Lehtonen got the job done in net. The penalty kill was strong for most of the game. But overall, the entire team did their job in game six.
Their were plenty of individual shining moments, but the entire team hustle and effort was the reason the Stars got through to round two. After a disappointing loss in game five, it would have been easy for the team to come into Sunday’s game without momentum.
Instead, they came with firepower and explosiveness, and got far ahead enough of the Minnesota Wild to where they couldn’t catch up. The green and white are off to the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Next: Dallas Stars Keys To Postseason Success
The Dallas Stars will face the winner of tomorrow night’s game seven match-up between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. Regardless of the winner, the Stars will have a tough divisional opponent in round two, but right now, it seems like there’s not a single team the Stars can’t beat.