The Dallas star was in a position to win the series against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 5 on Thursday. Instead, the Jets made a gap of 4-0 for them, extending the postseason at least one more game.
That game was in Dallas on Saturday (8pm, ABC/ESPN+). Will the Stars punch tickets to the Western Conference Finals and a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers? Or will the Jets force Game 7 to Home Ice on Monday?
Read the game preview with statistical insights from ESPN Research, what went down in Friday’s match, and Friday’s 3 star summary from ArdaÖcal.
Matchup Notes
Dallas stars in the Winnipeg Jets
Game 6 | 8pm ET | ABC/ESPN+
The Stars, who took a 3-2 lead in the series, are -380 to win every ESPN bet. The Jets are +290 filming the series. Dallas is +325, won the Stanley Cup and Winnipeg is +2200.
Editor’s Pick
2 Related
The team that led 3-1 in the playoff series, including the series completed this year, is 23-1 since 2023 (the only loser was the Bruins against the Panthers in the first round of 2023).
Can Conor Helebuick split his nightmare roads/homes this postseason? He went 6-1 at home in the playoffs, leaving with an average of 1.73 goals and a save percentage of 0.916. He’s 0-5 on the road, with 5.84 GAA and .793 SV%.
Kyle Connor is a reliable source of Winnipeg’s scoring, scoring 16 points in 12 games. His 1.33 point rating per game is third highest among American-born players (minimum 10 games played), after Jake Guantzel (1.75) in 2018 and Brian Lee Hitch (1.40) in 1995.
Mikko Rantanen led the goal and point scoring race this postseason, scoring nine goals and 19 points. His newly formed line with Michael Granland and Loop Hintz outscored the ice time together 7-2 at 108:34.
Star goalkeeper Jake Oetittinger went 17-6 with 2.03 GAA and 0.924 SV% (with one shutout), earning one SV% (one shutout) in 23 career postseason games after the loss.
3 stars in Öcal from Friday
No. 34 scored his first goal of the game in the third term. This counts as the winner of the game. It was his first goal for the Panthers in his postseason career, and his first goal for a team that went beyond the first round.
2. Maple Leafs Shot Blocker
The Leafs blocked 31 shots in the game. This included some key moments later in the third season, maintaining Joseph Wal’s shutout and forcing Game 7.
Pacioretty took charge of insurance targets in the third term in the postseason, as the veteran continues his quest for the first Stanley Cup.
Friday Summary
Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Florida Panthers 0
Series 3-3 | Game 7 Sunday
With a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, which are at risk for the Panthers and a continuation of playoff runs at the Leafs’ line, the two teams remained scoreless with memorable saves from both goaltenders for two periods. At 6:20 in the third term, Toronto Captain Orton Matthews scored his first goal in the series. This proves to be all the teams needed by W. Max Pacioretty’s goal at 14:17 added some relief. After Game 5, he wants to forget, Joseph Wal stopped all 22 shots he faced. The two teams will return to Toronto for Game 7 on Sunday. Complete summary.
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Max Pacioretty backhands the clutch goal of the leaf
Max Pacioretty scores Toronto’s second goal in the third term, earning a 2-0 lead in a must-see game 6 vs. Florida.
