Stars Face Elimination With Lots of Problems
Once again, the Dallas Stars are in all too familiar territory while facing elimination in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Some players have performed exceptionally well in this series, while others are skating like they want to go home.
Players are not performing up to their standards or roles, which is why they now face a 3-2 series deficit heading to Minnesota for Game 6 on Thursday.
One big reason is their play at even strength, where they haven’t scored since early in Game 3.
Mistake after mistake has them down in the series, where they must win two in a row or face an early exit.
The Stars have at least 60 minutes left to save their season, and 120 minutes left to keep it going.
The Good
Jim Nill must give Jason Robertson a contract extension. His playoff goal streak now sits at eight, lighting the lamp in every game this series, and the final three games of last year’s Western Conference Final. Robertson is an essential superstar who is leading this team with eight points in five games. Robertson is joined by Matt Duchene, who also has eight points, providing much-needed depth in all situations. Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen, and Wyatt Johnston round out the rest of the goal-scorers in this series.
Jake Oettinger does not get help; even then, he shuts the door as best he can. He is calm, cool, and collected in critical moments, such as nearly three full overtime periods, despite the deflection goal in Game 4. To get this series to a Game 7 and win it, these players need more help.
The Bad
Eight Stars players have gone all five games of this series without a single point. Five of them are forwards. Colin Blackwell, Radek Faksa, Sam Steel, Mavrik Bourque, and Jamie Benn are the forwards without any points. We’ll get to Benn again in a minute. Only five different players scored. Jason Robertson’s first-period goal in Game 3 is still the last time the Stars scored 5-on-5. The Stars have only three 5-on-5 goals in five games. This is completely unacceptable.
Minnesota is dictating the pace of play while mopping up any chances the Stars have. The physical game is not there, with Minnesota outhitting the Stars 187-142.
Help Jake Oettinger out. The Stars are 12th in blocked shots per 60 minutes with 13.82. Minnesota is outscoring the Stars 18-13. These numbers are frustrating. How Minnesota is getting its chances is infuriating. Fixing these imperfections will get this series back to Dallas on Saturday.
The Ugly
The Stars are shooting themselves in the foot. The biggest liability on the ice is defenseman Tyler Myers. Myers has yet to appear on the ice as the Stars scored. He is a defenseman, but that is not what fans are holding against him. He has directly led to several critical game-deciding goals for the Wild. Matt Boldy was his man to cover in Game 4’s overtime-winner. Game 5 is his worst game by far. He held the puck behind Oettinger and let loose an errant pass that quickly found its way to Kaprizov in front of the net. He flopped around, allowing a rebound to enter the net behind him. Matt Boldy scored late in the 2nd period to make it a 2-1 game. Tyler Myers jumped onto the ice way too early while Lyubushkin and Bichsel still had several strides before the line change. That too-many-men-on-the-ice power-play goal gave Minnesota the lead, which they did not relinquish before taking a 3-2 series lead. On the third Minnesota goal in that game, Myers’ play at the blueline allowed for a breakaway that effectively sealed the win for the Wild. Myers was responsible for all three non-empty net goals the Wild scored in Dallas. There is no sugarcoating it, Myers is having a horrible series. It’s one thing not contributing to any offense; it’s another that he is directly or indirectly responsible for three goals in a 4-2 loss.
This loss may have sunk the ship. Myers needs to take a seat in the press box for Game 6.
Jamie Benn has spent his entire 16-season career with the Stars. He is second in most major offensive categories for the Stars with 992 points. He has been completely unproductive so far in these playoffs. That makes only three points in 23 games over the last two postseasons. Benn is 2nd on the team with 8 penalty minutes. He took a holding penalty in overtime of Game 3; luckily, the Stars killed it off and won the game. Another penalty late in Game 5 nearly gave Minnesota a power play at a critical juncture. Benn has not shown up in this series, while also joining Myers, tied for 2nd place in +/- at -5.
Because of the previously mentioned lackluster 5-on-5 play, Nils Lundkvist is the only player in the positives with a +1. Benn improved by doubling his shot total for the series in Game 5, equaling his 8 PIM with 8 SOG. Thursday may possibly end his career with the Stars. He is a free agent at the end of the season, and another small-value deal will keep him in Dallas. Benn must improve his game, or the Stars are going home.
Game 5s in a tie series are so critical to win, especially if you’re on home ice. Mistakes cost the Stars the game, even though they had a chance. Their chances plummet now. The last time the Stars won a playoff series down 3-2 was in the 1999 Western Conference Final against their potential next-round opponent.
The odds are stacked against them, but there is still a chance. Despite their unfortunate play, they still won two games this series. They can win two more, and they must, or their season is over.
Goals from other people, especially ones without a point so far, will help tremendously. Their season may end on Thursday or Saturday, but if all the Stars show up, they may just book their ticket to Denver.
A tough Minnesota Wild stands in their way.
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