The Dallas Stars are moving on in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Dallas defeated the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night in Game 7. This loss has ended the Golden Knights' championship defense, ensuring a new champion this year. Sunday's contest also saw Dallas end a rather longstanding franchise drought.
The Stars won the series in seven games but trailed in this series at one point. In fact, the Golden Knights won the first two games of this contest. Dallas winning this series snapped a 14-series losing streak in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the team lost the first two games.
It's been nearly 60 years since the Stars lost the first two games in a series they won. You have to go back to 1968 to find the last time it happened, according to NHL.com's Taylor Baird. The franchise was in its first year in existence, and the team wasn't even in Dallas. They were the Minnesota North Stars at that time.
Stars eliminate Golden Knights
The Stars had home-ice advantage on Sunday night, and the fans made their voices heard. Dallas was loud anytime a green jersey skated with the puck, hanging on every move. Fans did not have to wait too long for the first goal of the contest, either. Forward Wyatt Johnson fired home a shot after a turnover to give Dallas the lead.
Dallas kept the Golden Knights at bay for most of the second period. However, Vegas did not back down, and were eventually rewarded for their efforts. After redirecting Michael Almadio's pass into the yawning goal, Brett Howden leveled the game. The Stars and Golden Knights went into the third period tied 1-1.
Early in the third, it was the home team that reclaimed the lead. Veteran forward Radek Faska scored on a backhand shot from the faceoff circle. He found the back of the net just 44 seconds into the final frame. Dallas had the momentum, but Vegas had more than enough time to equalize.
The Golden Knights fought with everything they had for that second goal. In the end, it wasn't meant to be. Stars goalie Jake Oettinger shut the door to finish off the 2-1 victory. Now, the Stars are looking ahead to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche await Dallas
The Stars are heading for a Central Division showdown in round two. Dallas is set to take on the Colorado Avalanche next. Colorado is certainly built for long playoff runs. The Avalanche fell in the first round last season to the Seattle Kraken. But in 2024, they defeated the Winnipeg Jets in five games to move on.
Colorado has a star-studded roster for the Stars to contend with. Headlining this group is forward Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche superstar is a Hart Trophy candidate this year after an incredible regular season. He scored 51 goals and 140 points before the playoffs and added nine points in five games against the Jets.
The Stars took out the Golden Knights on Sunday night, so the Stanley Cup Playoffs are wide open. However, Dallas has quite a challenge in front of them. Their series against the Avalanche is certainly going to be an entertaining one no matter the outcome.
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