Game 6 between the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets was full of emotion and intense drama, featuring brilliant plays, powerful shots, incredible saves, and a deeply difficult choice made by one player who participated despite receiving news of his father`s passing just hours before the game.
Winnipeg`s alternate captain, Mark Scheifele, learned of his father Brad`s death unexpectedly before the morning skate on Saturday. However, with the Jets fighting off elimination, he made the decision to play in the eventual 2-1 overtime defeat.
The win sends the Stars to the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive season. For the Jets, the loss extends the apparent Presidents` Trophy curse – whether you believe in it or not. Regardless, it`s remarkable that it has now been at least 12 seasons since the team finishing with the best regular-season record also claimed the Stanley Cup. The last team to do so was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.
After another exciting night of NHL playoff action, let`s recognize the top performers with our “3 Stars of the Night” selections.
3. Connor Hellebuyck | G | Jets
It tells you something about the game`s quality when a goaltender stops 18 of 20 shots, making some saves with seemingly impossible athleticism – and yet is only ranked as the third star. Hellebuyck nearly carried the Jets on his own as they attempted to force a Game 7 back in Winnipeg. His skate save against Mikko Rantanen was particularly outstanding.
Hellebuyck`s performance was certainly strong enough to earn a victory in this memorable Game 6, but the opposing netminder proved to be just slightly superior.
2. Jake Oettinger | G | Stars
There are routine saves, solid saves, spectacular saves, and then there`s *that* save. With the score tied 1-1 in the third period, and Game 6 hanging in the balance, Oettinger dove across the net to miraculously stop Mason Appleton, who appeared to have an open cage. This incredible play with roughly 8:35 remaining in regulation time gave Stars supporters a highlight to remember and Jets fans a moment to lament throughout the offseason.
1. Mark Scheifele | C | Jets
While his team didn`t win and he was assessed a tripping penalty late in the third period that resulted in the overtime power-play winning goal, Mark Scheifele`s actions on Saturday night transcend the outcome of the game. After being told that his father, Brad, had passed away the previous evening, Scheifele chose to play, stating it was his father`s wish. He went on to score the Jets` only goal of the game.
Following the news of Brad Scheifele`s death, the Dallas Morning News reported that some Stars fans encouraged others to donate $55 – Mark`s jersey number – to charities favored by the Scheifele family. In a touching moment after the game, during the traditional handshake line, several Dallas players shared extended conversations and embraces with Mark Scheifele as the arena`s sound system played Metallica`s `Nothing Else Matters.`
