There is still a long way to go for the Dallas Stars but they are just one win away from the Western Conference Final. The Stars set out their goals this year and so far they’ve exceeded expectations. Getting past their result of last year already happened by dispatching the Minnesota Wild in 6 games. A 5-2 victory in Game 5 of the Second Round Thursday night has them on the brink of the Western Conference Final. Seattle is now on the brink of elimination so they are going to throw the Stars everything they can over the next game or two. The Stars can close out the series in Seattle.
Same Result, Different Team
This series is almost exactly like the last one. The road team won Game 1 in overtime then the Stars won Game 2. The other side won Game 3 decisively while the Stars responded with wins in Games 4 and 5. The Stars are now looking at being the first-ever team to eliminate the Seattle Kraken from the Playoffs.
Game 6
We finally get a game that doesn’t start after 8:45 p.m. Game 6 in Seattle is at 6:00 p.m. CDT. If the Kraken win, then Game 7 will be in Dallas on Tuesday. If the Stars win, they will go to the Western Conference Final to play either the Edmonton Oilers or Vegas Golden Knights. This is an exciting time to be a Stars fan. TVs around Stars Nation will tune into the game Saturday night.
If Western Conference Final
The Western Conference Final has a nice ring to it. The Stars always had trouble getting there. They held a 3-2 series lead in 2019 against the Blues and lost Game 7 in double overtime. They held a 3-1 series lead in 2020 against the Colorado Avalanche and needed overtime in Game 7 to win the series. Getting to the Western Conference Final will stamp this season as a tremendous success for the Stars.
Biggest Surprise
Max Domi is a newcomer to the team as a trade deadline acquisition. So far he is the 2nd highest point scorer on the team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He and Jamie Benn are tied for 10 points in 11 playoff games.
No Surprise
Joe Pavelski tied a playoff franchise record with 7 goals in a playoff series. His return to the lineup is a massive boost to this team. His leadership is providing worlds of experience to this team. His play is paying off dividends close to legendary status. Pavelski is one of those players that will live on forever in the minds of Stars fans.
The Stars will play at least one more home game. Either Game 7 of this series or Game 3 of the next. The Stars will start the Western Conference Final on the road if they make it that far. The Oilers and Golden Knights have more points than the Stars. The Stars have to get their first and Seattle is laying down a massive roadblock. The Kraken are 1-0 when facing elimination and will have to go 3-0 if they want to eliminate the Stars. Get ready because Game 6 is the most important game of the season, followed by Game 7 if necessary.
Photo Credit: Dallas Stars Twitter
