Game Story: One of the most compelling and heartfelt contests you will ever see full of class and humility from the Dallas Stars (hashtag#TexasHockey) and the True North Sports + Entertainment (Winnipeg Jets) (hashtag#GoJetsGo). This was a privilege to cover with Alec Nava.
https://lnkd.in/eUT66e28
National Hockey League (NHL) Sportsnet
(2C) Dallas Stars (50-26-6, 7-5 106 PTS) HC: Peter DeBoer Top Performers: Matt Duchene (30-51-81 +14); Jason Robertson (35-45-80 +10); Wyatt Johnston (33-38-71 +2); Roope Hintz (28-39-67 +18); Jamie Benn (16-33-49 +3); Mason Marchment (21-25-46 +15)
Key Defensive Pairs: Thomas Harley (16-34-50 +33); Esa Lindell (5-21-26 +35);
The injuries of Jason Robertson (Week-to-Week); Defense: Miro Heiskanen (Maybe Our R1); Nils Lundkvist (Season); Returns: Tyler Seguin (19 GP, 9-11-20 +14); Mikko Rantanen (w/ DAL, 19 GP, 5-13-18 +6) Is still third-leading scorer on COL (49 GP, 25-39-64 +12);
DAL Outlook: After getting past the Avalanche in seven games. I think this team easily makes the Stanley Cup Finals. The Toronto Maple Leafs may throw another wrench in the equation if both the Lightning and Panthers are knocked out. But I see them as the best team left, that will get important pieces back as the postseason campaign continues.
(1C) Winnipeg Jets (56-22-4, 6-6 116 PTS President’s Trophy) HC: Scott Arniel Top Performers: Kyle Connor (41-56-97 +17); Mark Scheifele (39-48-87 +12); Nikolaj Ehlers (69 GP 24-39-63 +14); Gabriel Vilardi (71 GP 27-34-61 +9); Cole Perfetti (18-32-50 +14)
Key Defensive Pairs: Josh Morrissey (14-48-62 +17); Neal Pionk (69 GP 10-29-39 +21); Dylan Sanberg (60 GP 6-14-20 +34); Dylan DeMelo (3-16-19 +31)
WPG Outlook: They did survive STL in seven games. But if WPG has any chance this (8 GP, 4-4, 3.75 GAA, .836 SV) has to improve. He has had .780 and lower SV. This is on him. Period. Mark Scheifele back, but Josh Morrissey still out. I want to see the balance of Perfetti, Namestnikov, Lowry, Appleton to continue to score and accumulate points. Depth will be needed.
Goaltending Matchup: Connor Hellebuyck (63 GP, 47-12-3, 2.00 GAA, .925 SV,8 SO); Eric Comrie (20 GP, 9-10-1, 2.39 GAA, .914 SV, 2 SO) vs. Jake Oettinger (36-17-4, 2.53 GAA, .911 SV, 2 SO); Casey DeSmith (14-8-2, 2.63 GAA, .913 SV, 2 SO)
Series Summary:
Game 1: DAL win 3-2: It’s another Rantanen hat. Back-to-Back. All offense in the second period. Scheifele and Nino scored. Oettinger 29 of 31. Hellebuyck 21 of 24.
Game 2: WPG wins 4-0: Hellebuyck 21 of 21 in the shutout. Ehlers (2), Lowry and Villardi scores. Oettinger 21 of 24 in the loss. Two goals in the first seven minutes. Out of the only one in the series I covered.
Game 3: DAL wins 5-2: Rantanen with a goal and two assists. Connor and Nino scores for WPG. Oettinger 24 of 26 in the win. Hellebuyck 21 of 26 in the loss.
Game 4: DAL wins 3-1: Finnish mafia strikes again. Granlund hat trick. Ehlers only goal for WPG. Oettinger outstanding as he stops 31 of 32 in the win. Hellebuyck 21 of 24 in the loss.
Game 5: WPG wins 4-0: Hellebuyck 22 of 22 as he gets only shutout at home. Oettinger played well 31 of 34 in the loss but had no run support. Ehlers (2) with yet another multi-goal game. Scheifele and Vlad score. Game got ugly at the end and Benn gets tied up with Scheifele and delivers a nasty punch that knows him and the linesman down.
Game 6: Interesting how the crowd at American Airlines will respond to Scheifele now. As it is with a heavy heart, we announce that his father has passed. He is going to suit up! Classy move I saw before the game that the Stars fans are offering #55 donations in his honor. I love it. I know his Dad would have wanted that, all hockey parents would. Go score a hat trick, have fun and win it.
To date in this postseason. WPG is 6-1 at home, and 0-5 on the road!
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1 Comment
Seriously Jets fan, good game. We just bested the best team in the NHL. Y’all did a fantastic job. Sorry for your player (his dad) and the team’s loss. 😢