The Dallas Stars had a chance to knock out the Winnipeg Jets from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday night. They had won both games at home and came into Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead.
Instead, they’ll be forced to return to Dallas for a crucial Game 6 on Saturday after the Jets took advantage of their flat and lackluster play, winning 4-0 at the Canada Life Centre to stay alive.
Winnipeg kept its season alive thanks to a clutch performance from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who picked up his second shutout of the NHL playoff series.
Dallas Stars Stay Positive, Look Ahead to Game 6 vs. Winnipeg Jets
Even after the tough loss, the Stars are keeping their heads up. Now, they can finish the job at home in Game 6.
“We knew they would [play desperate], elimination game, you knew that was going to be the case,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “They won the Presidents’ Trophy, right? That’s a really good team. We do have a great opportunity to go home and win this at home. We did what we had to do, which is win one game in here in order to give us this opportunity of this elimination game, and if not, we’ll have to come back in here and win another one.”
DeBoer also tipped his cap to goalie Jake Oettinger, who made huge saves to keep Dallas in it early despite the end result.
“I thought we actually weathered the storm okay,” DeBoer said. “Jake was really good early, which you need. I think the goal off our own skate, the 4-on-4 goal, that’s a tough one to give up. Then, you give up the 5-on-3 goal. You go on the road, especially in an elimination game, and you get two goals like that, it’s really tough to win.”
Forward Matt Duchene, playing in his second postseason with Dallas, knows that his club was hurt by their constant parade to the penalty box.
“They’re a great team,” Duchene said. “When they get out to a lead, they’re really good at protecting it. Hellebuyck, [in] the last two games in this building, has been really good. You look at some of the plays and the saves he made…we had a goal post there at 1-0. Seems like that keeps happening every time we’re at a key moment.”
He continued, “We had some good looks, it just didn’t go in. Special teams is huge this time of year, and we know that. We took too many penalties. Our PK had to be out there too much, and eventually, you let a good enough power play, good enough players touch the puck, you break down.”
Game 6 will be played Saturday night from American Airlines Center starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.