The Dallas Stars have been in place to win their collection towards the Winnipeg Jets in Sport 5 on Thursday; as an alternative, the Jets blanked them 4-0, extending their postseason by at the least yet one more sport.
That sport is Saturday in Dallas (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+). Will the Stars punch their ticket to the Western Convention finals — and a rematch towards the Edmonton Oilers? Or will the Jets drive a Sport 7 again on residence ice Monday?
Learn on for a sport preview with statistical insights from ESPN Analysis, a recap of what went down in Friday’s sport and the three stars of Friday from Arda Öcal.
Matchup notes
Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets
Sport 6 | 8 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN+
With a 3-2 lead within the collection, the Stars are -380 to win, per ESPN BET; the Jets are +290 to take the collection. Dallas is +325 to win the Stanley Cup, whereas Winnipeg is +2200.
Together with the collection which have been accomplished this yr, groups which have led 3-1 in a playoff collection are 23-1 since 2023 (the one loser was the Bruins towards the Panthers within the 2023 first spherical).
Can Connor Hellebuyck buck his nightmarish highway/residence cut up this postseason? He has gone 6-1 at residence within the playoffs, with a 1.73 goals-against common and .916 save share; he is 0-5 on the highway, with a 5.84 GAA and .793 SV%.
Kyle Connor has been a dependable supply of scoring for Winnipeg, with 16 factors in 12 video games. His 1.33 points-per-game fee is the third highest in a single postseason by an American-born participant (minimal 10 video games performed), behind Jake Guentzel in 2018 (1.75) and Brian Leetch in 1995 (1.40).
Mikko Rantanen leads the goal- and point-scoring races this postseason, with 9 targets and 19 factors. His newly fashioned line with Mikael Granlund and Roope Hintz has outscored opponents 7-2 in 108:34 of ice time collectively.
Stars goalie Jake Oettinger has gone 17-6 with a 2.03 GAA and .924 SV% (with one shutout) in 23 profession postseason video games following a loss.
Öcal’s three stars from Friday
No. 34 scored the primary purpose of the sport within the third interval, which counts because the game-winner. It was his first purpose towards the Panthers — and first towards any crew past the primary spherical — in his postseason profession.
2. Maple Leafs shot blockers
The Leafs blocked 31 photographs on this sport, together with some key moments late within the third interval, preserving a shutout for Joseph Woll and drive a Sport 7. This was Woll’s first profession postseason shutout, and he bought a number of assist from his associates.
Pacioretty was accountable for the insurance coverage purpose within the third interval, his third of the postseason because the veteran continues his quest for his first Stanley Cup.
Friday’s recap
Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Florida Panthers 0
Sequence tied 3-3 | Sport 7 Sunday
With a visit to the Japanese Convention finals at stake for the Panthers — and a continuation of the playoff run on the road for the Leafs — the 2 groups remained scoreless by means of two durations, with memorable saves by each goaltenders. At 6:20 of the third interval, Toronto captain Auston Matthews scored his first purpose of the collection, and that might show to be all of the crew wanted for the W; Max Pacioretty’s purpose at 14:17 added some reassurance. After a Sport 5 he’d prefer to neglect, Joseph Woll stopped all 22 photographs he confronted. The 2 groups head again to Toronto for Sport 7 Sunday. Full recap.
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Max Pacioretty backhands a clutch purpose for Leafs
Max Pacioretty scores Toronto’s second purpose of the third interval to provide them a 2-0 lead in a must-win Sport 6 vs. Florida.
