The Dallas Stars secured a 2-1 overtime victory against the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night. This win propels the Stars into the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive year.
The game was marked by tragedy off the ice, as Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele`s father unexpectedly passed away just hours before faceoff. While his participation was uncertain, Scheifele ultimately chose to play. Jets coach Scott Arniel commented that Mark`s father would have wanted him to play and had been a strong supporter, adding that Mark was determined to play for him.
Scheifele opened the scoring in the second period with a rebound goal – which would be the Jets` only marker. He was also unfortunately involved in the decisive play for the Stars` game-winner. With just 14.8 seconds remaining in regulation, while attempting to stop a Dallas breakaway, Scheifele tripped Sam Steel, the player who had tied the game earlier. This penalty resulted in a power play for the Stars that extended into overtime.
Sam Steel, previously a scorer for Dallas, was on a solo rush when Scheifele lunged in a desperate attempt to disrupt the play, resulting in the trip near the blue line. The Stars called a timeout to strategize but failed to convert on the ensuing power play opportunity before the horn sounded for the end of regulation.
Thomas Harley scored the game-winning goal for Dallas 1:33 into overtime while the Stars were on the power play. Dallas will now face the Edmonton Oilers in a highly anticipated Western Conference Final rematch, with a spot in the Stanley Cup Final on the line. However, the game itself would not have extended past regulation without stellar goaltending performances at both ends of the rink.
Jake Oettinger made 22 saves for the Stars, highlighted by a spectacular diving stop with under nine minutes left that denied a sure goal from Winnipeg`s Mason Appleton.
On the other side, Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was the unfortunate loser, making 19 saves and playing a strong game himself.
For those inclined to believe in sports curses, the Jets add their name to the list of teams that have won the Presidents` Trophy (awarded for the best regular-season record) but failed to capture the Stanley Cup. The last team to achieve both the best regular-season record and a Stanley Cup championship was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.
For the complete schedule and results for every matchup, follow along here.
- Western Conference Final
- (2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Round 2
- (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- (1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
- (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars
- (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Round 1
- (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
- (2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- (1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens
- (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
- (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
- (2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche
- (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
- (2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Western Conference Final
(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
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers
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: Sunday, May 18 | 7:30 p.m. | at TOR | TNT/Max
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
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
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
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
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
