The Dallas Stars take to the ice at the American Airlines Center one more time against the Flames before heading back to Calgary. If the Stars can pull off another victory Monday night on home ice, the Stars have a chance to eliminate the Flames Wednesday night. This series is far from over and one win can put Calgary back into this series. The Stars can not afford that heading back to Canada for Game 5. Here are the keys to the game for the Stars so they can put the pressure on Calgary.
Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames: 3. Keep up the checking
The Dallas Stars sent some bodies flying all over the ice on Saturday night. According to the official stat sheet, the Stars outhit the Flames 44-23. That’s probably the most hits they’ve had this season. The checking really worked as the Flames top scorers couldn’t get anything going offensively. If the Stars can keep doing that on Monday night, all the pressure is on the Flames defending home ice in Game 5 to not be eliminated from the playoffs.
Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames: 2. Get the puck out of your own zone
The Stars learned their lesson Saturday night that keeping the puck in your own zone is a bad thing in the playoffs. All it took was a pass from behind the net to Elias Lindholm for the Flames to take the lead. That goal could have been really bad considering the Stars could have lost the game on that goal. Scoring has been very minimal in this series and one mistake could force a game 6 on Friday night.
Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames: 1. Crowd factor
The Stars had probably one of the loudest crowds for a playoff game on Saturday night. Hearing the crowd yell “Stars” on TV sent chills down my spine. Home ice advantage really is a huge factor in the NHL Playoffs. The Stars are going to need that same energy from the passionate Stars’ fan base tonight if they want to force Calgary to the brink of elimination.
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