The Dallas Stars lost to the Las Vegas Golden Knights 2-0 on Friday night in Game 6 to tie the series 3-3 as the teams travel back to Dallas for Game 7.
The low-scoring game featured no goals between the two teams until midway through the final period, with impressive outings from each team’s goalie helping keep the two at a stalemate through the majority of the game.
Both teams opened the contest playing physically as each focused on the defensive side of the game, with the two teams putting together a total of 21 hits in the first period.
Stars goalie Jake Oettinger had an impressive first period as he blocked all 10 of the Knights’ shots on goal, with Knights goalie Adin Hill also keeping the puck out of the net on all six attempts sent his way.
An impressive stop by Oettinger on a breakaway against Knights center Nicolas Roy encapsulated the incredible defensive effort by the 25-year-old in the first 20 minutes of action.
The defensive first half saw the teams finish the first period tied at 0-0 as the teams entered the contest with similar game plans.
The Stars opened the next period playing aggressively as they quickly racked up four shots on goal in the first four minutes but could not convert on any of their attempts, staying in a dead-even match with Vegas.
However, this quick start was slowed down due to a penalty by Stars defenseman Ryan Suter, who was forced to sit out for two minutes. Although the Stars prevented the Knights from scoring during this advantage, the team struggled to put pressure on the Knights’ defense in the timeframe.
Midway through the second period, the two teams were still unable to score a goal, with the Stars failing to convert on any one-on-one opportunities against Hill.
Dallas had an opportunity to break the tie in a power play after Knights left wing William Carrier got two minutes in the penalty box for holding against Stars left wing Jason Robertson, though the Stars could not score as the second period ended with the teams still tied 0-0.
Both Dallas and Vegas opened the final period of the game playing aggressively as they combined for eight shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of action.
However, only one of these shots was successful as Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin scored the game’s first goal on an unassisted shot that put Vegas up 1-0 with 10:06 remaining in the game.
The teams played even for the next eight minutes, prompting Dallas to empty their net in an attempt to gain an advantage and even the score with just over two minutes remaining.
This extra man on offense proved inconsequential to the team as Knights right wing Mark Stone sent the puck from the other side of the ice into the Stars’ goal with just 19 seconds remaining in the game, giving Vegas a 2-0 win and forcing a Game 7.
Each goalie had an impressive game. Oettinger blocked 96.6% of all the shots sent his way, while Hill prevented all 23 on his goal from reaching the inside of the net.
The Stars will now travel back to Dallas to prepare for a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday. The winner will advance to face the Colorado Avalanche.