Dallas Stars Triumph in Overtime to Advance to Western Conference Final
May 17, 2025, 11:43 PM ET
DALLAS — In a thrilling showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, Thomas Harley delivered a clutch performance by scoring on a power play just 1:33 into overtime. This pivotal goal propelled the Dallas Stars into the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive season. The Stars managed to edge out the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets with a nail-biting 2-1 victory in Game 6 on Saturday night.
The game was not without its emotional moments. Mark Scheifele of the Jets scored a goal despite the heavy heart he carried due to the unexpected passing of his father earlier that day. However, it was Scheifele’s tripping penalty with just 14.8 seconds left in regulation that set the stage for Dallas to start overtime with a man advantage, ultimately leading to their victory.
Earlier in the game, Sam Steel had put Dallas on the scoreboard. Steel was on a breakaway when Scheifele, in a desperate attempt to make a play, tripped him at the blue line. The Stars called a timeout, but despite their efforts, they missed a shot and had another blocked before the end of regulation.
With this victory, the Stars are set to face Edmonton in the Western Conference Final for the second year in a row, with Game 1 taking place on their home ice. The Edmonton Oilers, led by the formidable Connor McDavid, secured their spot in the final by defeating Vegas in a 1-0 overtime win in Game 5 of their second-round series.
Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger was a key player in the Stars’ success, making 22 saves to clinch his sixth playoff series win over the past three seasons. One of his standout moments was an incredible diving save with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation, where he lunged back across his body to block a shot by Mason Appleton.
On the other side, Hellebuyck stopped 19 shots for the Jets, but unfortunately, his efforts weren’t enough to secure a road win for his team this postseason. The final goal allowed by Hellebuyck marked a continuation of a remarkable season for Harley, who has been a breakout blueliner for Dallas and also represented Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Steel’s goal, his first of the playoffs, came midway through the second period. He capitalized on a long rebound, sending the puck into the upper right corner of the net, just above Hellebuyck’s glove.
The Jets’ early exit adds them to the list of Presidents’ Trophy winners who have bowed out earlier than expected. The award, given to the NHL’s top regular-season team, was previously won by the New York Rangers last season before they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals. Two years ago, the No. 1 seed Boston Bruins were ousted in the first round by the Florida Panthers.
- Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel acknowledged the strength of their opponents, stating, “We lost to a great team. We lost to a team that was in our rear view mirror all year long.”
- Dallas coach Pete DeBoer praised Scheifele’s courage, saying, “I’m sure his dad would’ve been really proud of him and what he did.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
