The Dallas Stars are set to take on the Las Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the first round of the NHL Playoffs on Friday at 9 p.m. in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
The Stars took a commanding 3-2 lead in the series with a Game 5 victory on Wednesday night to position the team to move into the next round with one more win.
Stars left wing Jason Robertson and center Wyatt Johnston have paced the team through the series with three goals apiece. Johnston has also contributed three assists, while Robertson has assisted on two goals.
Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger will look to continue his impressive run through the first five games of the series, in which he has saved 91.1% of shots on goal.
The 25-year-old has been most effective in the final portions of the games, saving all 55 shots that have come his way during third period and overtime in the series, including a staggering 42 shots in the last three games, according to the National Hockey League.
Stars defenseman Chris Tanev said after Game 5 that he was proud of the team for bouncing back after falling behind 0-2 to start the series, saying that they are “[w]illing to do what it takes” to move into the next round.
“Obviously, it’s playoffs, a tough time. You’re going to go through a lot of ups and downs. [We] put ourselves in a good spot right now,” he said, per the NHL.
The Stars enter tonight’s game as the best road team in the NHL during the regular season, finishing the year with a 26-10-5 record when playing as the visitor.
However, they will face off against a Knights team that has been formidable on their home ice throughout the year, finishing with the NHL’s 8th-best home record of 27-12-2, according to Stat Muse.
Dallas has multiple players who remain questionable for Game 6, as left wing Mason Marchment, center Radek Faksa, and defenseman Jani Hakanpaa are all listed as day-to-day and will likely be game-time decisions.
The Knights have just one player who is questionable for the game. Defenseman Nicolas Hague is listed as day-to-day leading into the game, an upgrade from his Game 5 status of out.
A Game 6 win for the Stars would move them into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to match up against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 in their first-round matchup.
