The Dallas Stars have secured their place in the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive year, defeating the visiting Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night.
The game was played under emotional circumstances for Jets center Mark Scheifele, whose father tragically passed away just hours before face-off. Despite this profound loss, Scheifele decided to play, a decision supported by Jets coach Scott Arniel, who noted that Mark`s father would have wanted him on the ice and had been a constant source of encouragement for the team. Arniel added that Mark was driven to play in his father`s memory.
In an incredibly poignant moment, Scheifele scored the opening goal for Winnipeg on a rebound in the second period. However, he was also involved in the critical play late in regulation that led to Dallas`s winning goal. With only 14.8 seconds left and attempting to break up a Dallas rush near the blue line, Scheifele tripped Sam Steel, who had previously scored the Stars` equalizer. This penalty resulted in a crucial power play for Dallas that extended into overtime.
Thomas Harley capitalized on the man-advantage, scoring the game-winner 1:33 into overtime. This victory sets up a Western Conference Final rematch against the Edmonton Oilers, with the winner advancing to the Stanley Cup Final. The game itself was a goaltending duel, and it`s unlikely it would have reached overtime without stellar performances at both ends of the rink.
Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger made 22 saves, including a truly spectacular diving (or perhaps leaping) stop with less than nine minutes remaining in regulation to deny Mason Appleton a certain goal for Winnipeg.
Conversely, Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck was the unfortunate loser despite a strong showing, stopping 19 shots and playing a solid game himself.
For Winnipeg, the loss also extends a frustrating trend for teams that win the Presidents` Trophy (awarded for the best regular-season record) but fail to win the Stanley Cup. The last team to achieve both was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.
Western Conference Final Schedule
- 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
- Toronto Maple Leafs (1) vs. Florida Panthers (3): Panthers won 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 3, Maple Leafs 2
- Washington Capitals (1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (2): Hurricanes won 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
- Winnipeg Jets (1) vs. Dallas Stars (2): Stars won 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)
- Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (3): Oilers won 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
- Toronto Maple Leafs (1) vs. Ottawa Senators (WC1): Maple Leafs won 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
- Tampa Bay Lightning (2) vs. Florida Panthers (3): Panthers won 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
- Washington Capitals (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (WC2): Capitals won 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
- Carolina Hurricanes (2) vs. New Jersey Devils (3): Hurricanes won 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)
- Winnipeg Jets (1) vs. St. Louis Blues (WC2): Jets won 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)
- Dallas Stars (2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (3): Stars won 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
- Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Minnesota Wild (WC1): Golden Knights won 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
- Los Angeles Kings (2) vs. Edmonton Oilers (3): Oilers won 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
