The Dallas Stars secured their third straight trip to the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 overtime victory against the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets in Game 6 on Saturday night.
Thomas Harley netted the game-winning goal during a power play just 1:33 into overtime, eliminating the Presidents’ Trophy winners. The win sets up a highly anticipated rematch between the Stars and the Edmonton Oilers, with Dallas holding home-ice advantage for the conference finals.
Sam Steel made a crucial contribution in the elimination game, scoring his first goal of the 2024 playoffs. Goaltender Jake Oettinger stood tall between the pipes, turning away 22 shots to help secure the series-clinching victory.
Dallas continues to build on its impressive playoff history. This appearance marks the Stars’ tenth trip to the conference finals since the NHL implemented the current 16-team playoff format in 1980.
The Stars now have a few days to prepare for their next opponent. Game 1 against Edmonton is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Hockey fans can expect an intense series as these Western Conference powerhouses face off with a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals on the line. The Oilers eliminated the Vancouver Canucks to earn their spot in the conference finals.
Despite entering the playoffs as the top seed after claiming the Presidents’ Trophy for the league’s best regular-season record, the Jets couldn’t overcome the determined Stars in the six-game series.
Dallas’s victory represents another step toward its ultimate goal of capturing the Stanley Cup. When the puck drops Wednesday night, the team will look to capitalize on home-ice advantage.