Setting the scene, the Dallas Stars secured a 2-1 overtime victory against the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Saturday evening, earning their spot in the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive season.
The game was marked by sorrow both during play and away from the rink. Hours before puck drop, the father of Jets center Mark Scheifele passed away unexpectedly. While there was uncertainty about his participation, Scheifele chose to play. Jets coach Scott Arniel commented on Scheifele`s decision, stating, “He would want him to play… We got to see him earlier… Mark really wants to play for him tonight.”
Scheifele netted the opening goal in the second period, which proved to be Winnipeg`s only marker. He was also involved in the crucial moment leading to the Stars` winning goal. With 14.8 seconds remaining in the third period, attempting to thwart a Dallas rush, Scheifele tripped Sam Steel, who had scored Dallas`s earlier equalizer. This resulted in a power play for the Stars that carried into overtime.
Sam Steel, the Dallas player who scored the tying goal, was on a breakaway when Scheifele lunged in a desperate attempt to stop him, causing the trip near the blue line. Dallas used their timeout but couldn`t capitalize on the remaining time before the period ended.
Thomas Harley secured the win for Dallas just 1:33 into overtime with the power-play goal. The Stars will now face the Edmonton Oilers in a Western Conference Final rematch, vying for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. The game would not have needed overtime, however, were it not for exceptional goaltending displays by both teams.
Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 22 shots, highlighted by a spectacular diving save with under nine minutes remaining, denying a sure goal by Winnipeg`s Mason Appleton.
On the Jets` side, Connor Hellebuyck, despite making 19 saves and playing a strong game, ended up with the loss.
Adding to a perceived trend, the Jets, having won the Presidents` Trophy for the league`s best regular-season record, failed to win the Stanley Cup. The last Presidents` Trophy winner to also claim the Stanley Cup was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.
Western Conference Final Schedule
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Game 1: Wednesday, May 21 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN/ESPN+
- Game 2: Friday, May 23 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN/ESPN+
- Game 3: Sunday, May 25 | 3 p.m. | at EDM | ABC/ESPN+
- Game 4: Tuesday, May 27 | 8 p.m. | at EDM | ESPN/ESPN+
- *Game 5: Thursday, May 29 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN/ESPN+
- *Game 6: Saturday, May 31 | 8 p.m. | at EDM | ABC/ESPN+
- *Game 7: Monday, June 2 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN/ESPN+
Round 2 Results
- (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers: Panthers win series 4-3
- Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
- Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
- Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
- Game 4: Panthers 2, Maple Leafs 0
- Game 5: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1
- Game 6: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
- Game 7: Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 3
- (1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes: Hurricanes win series 4-1
- Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
- Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1
- Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0
- Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2
- Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1
- (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars: Stars win series 4-2
- Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
- Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0
- Game 3: Stars 5, Jets 2
- Game 4: Stars 3, Jets 1
- Game 5: Jets 4, Stars 0
- Game 6: Stars 2, Jets 1 (OT)
- (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers: Oilers win series 4-1
- Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
- Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
- Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
- Game 4: Oilers 3, Golden Knights 0
- Game 5: Oilers 1, Golden Knights 0 (OT)
Round 1 Results
- (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators: Maple Leafs win series 4-2
- Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
- Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
- Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
- Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
- Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2
- (2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers: Panthers win series 4-1
- Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
- Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
- Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
- Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
- Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3
- (1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens: Capitals win series 4-1
- Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
- Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
- Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
- Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
- Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1
- (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils: Hurricanes win series 4-1
- Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
- Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
- Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
- Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
- Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)
- (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues: Jets win series 4-3
- Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
- Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
- Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
- Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
- Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3
- Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
- Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)
- (2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche: Stars win series 4-3
- Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
- Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
- Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
- Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
- Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
- Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
- Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2
- (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild: Golden Knights win series 4-2
- Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
- Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
- Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
- Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
- Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2
- (2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers: Oilers win series 4-2
- Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
- Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
- Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
- Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
- Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4
Elton Marrow