Dallas Stars Can Push Blues To Danger Zone With Win
The Dallas Stars have been presented with a wonderful opportunity with a game five today on home ice. If they can beat the Blues, they will be one win away from the West finals.
For the first time in eight years, the Dallas Stars are in the Western Conference semifinals of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Stars and St. Louis Blues are tied with two wins a piece in the series, and a critical game five is scheduled for today in Dallas.
The game will be broadcasted nationally on NBC, and you can also catch it on the radio at 1310AM/96.7FM The Ticket. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.
Records and Scores
After handling a persistent Minnesota Wild team in the first round by a final count of 4-2, the Dallas Stars are now locked in a tight trench war with the St. Louis Blues. They are 2-2 in this semifinals series, and 6-4 overall in the postseason.
On the other hand, the Blues had to use seven games to knock out the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the first round. Nonetheless, they knocked out the reigning champs and are giving the Stars all they have. They are 6-5 in postseason play this year.
Storylines
Let’s get physical, physical
Four games have been played in this Western Conference semifinals series between the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues. Throughout those four games, one overarching theme has made itself relevant: both teams deserve a spot in the next round. But, considering that the NHL’s playoff format has the first and second best teams of each conference facing each other in round two for some reason, only one will survive.
That being said, expect for things to heat up over these next two or three games. In the past four contests, there has been plenty of bitterness and rage tossed between the two clubs, and it will only intensify from here on out.
After today, either the Stars or Blues will be one game away from moving on, while the other team will be one game away from elimination. Each team has won and lost at home so far, and with their road wins coming in overtime. That’s how similar these two clubs are. So watch for a ramping up of intensity and overall focus from both teams and settle in for a great finish to an outstanding series.
Home sweet home?
The Dallas Stars have experienced no shortage of support throughout their playoff journey so far this season. With a sold out crowd at every home game, the Stars are truly feeling the love of victory green in each step they take. But they are still relatively average when playing at the American Airlines Center this postseason.
In five games at the AAC so far in the playoffs, the Stars have posted a 3-2 record, though both of the losses came in overtime. They certainly feed off of the energy though, considering both of the overtime losses were in games where the Stars crawled back from a multiple-goal deficit. If the Stars fan base is out in full support this afternoon, Dallas may be able to use the momentum to push them to the victory circle.
Kari Lehtonen again
The Dallas Stars are likely going to continue their trend of putting Kari Lehtonen between the pipes this afternoon. Lehtonen has played in eight of the Stars’ ten games this postseason and has done relatively well. He helped lead the Stars to victory two nights back in St. Louis after making some phenomenal saves consistently throughout the game to keep it close.
Lehtonen has posted a record of 5-1-0 so far, along with a 2.58 GAA and a .906 save percentage. He has an off game here and there, but for the majority of the time he has backstopped the Stars to victory. Today’s game is probably the most important game of his career, so we will see if he is up to the challenge.
How can the Stars and Blues BOTH win?
It’s pretty clear that both teams are in desperation mode right now. St. Louis and Dallas are in dire need of a victory today due to personal reasons of each club. The Stars proved to the Blues on Thursday that they can win in a rowdy road environment, meaning that they could clinch the series in a game six on Monday if they win today.
Meanwhile, if the Stars lose today, the Blues will pick up plenty of momentum and determination, setting the stage for a dominating finish on home ice on Monday. So, both teams could desperately use a win. But only one can come out on top.
Injury report
The Dallas Stars will be minus the services of Tyler Seguin (lower body) for game five. Patrick Eaves (leg) is questionable.
The St. Louis Blues will play with a healthy lineup once again.
Projected lines
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn – Cody Eakin – Patrick Sharp
Mattias Janmark – Jason Spezza – Valeri Nichushkin
Antoine Roussel – Radek Faksa – Ales Hemsky
Travis Moen – Vernon Fiddler – Brett Ritchie
Alex Goligoski – John Klingberg
Kari Lehtonen
More stars: Stars Must Turn Kiss Of Insult Into Kiss Of Death
St. Louis Blues
Jaden Schwartz – Jori Lehtera – Vladimir Tarasenko
Alex Steen – Paul Stastny – Troy Brouwer
Robby Fabbri – Patrik Berglund – David Backes
Scottie Upshall – Kyle Brodziak – Ryan Reaves
Jay Bouwmeester – Alex Pietrangelo
Joel Edmundson – Kevin Shattenkirk
Carl Gunnarsson – Colton Parayko
Next: Perseverance Pushing Stars To Cup Contention
Prediction
Honestly, this game is either going to end up incredibly awesome or terrible for the Stars. Call me crazy, but I have a feeling the Dallas Stars will hold onto momentum, unlike any team has this series, and take a big shot at St. Louis. Give me the Stars in a 4-1 victory.