Playing on home ice is an important boost to any team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Dallas Stars capitalized during Games 3 and 4 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets. An energetic and rambunctious crowd at the American Airlines Center propelled the Stars into the driver’s seat of this series as they head back to Winnipeg for Game 5. Game 5 is gargantuan as the Stars can advance to the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive season on a win. Excellent performances from individuals in this series elevated the Stars as the odds shifted heavily in their favor. The President’s Trophy winners are on the ropes as the Jets wield desolate desperation starting Thursday. Jets players must throw everything they have at the Stars or their season ends. Battening down the hatches is the strategy for the Stars as they look to close out the series and advance.

Games 3 and 4 Finnish Connection

Brilliant performances at home over the last two games thrilled a raucous crowd at the American Airlines Center into joyous jubilation. Two victories with a score of 5-2 and 3-1 have the Stars one win away from the Western Conference Final. Finnish players are cementing their lore in Stars history with elite-caliber performances over both games. Roope Hintz and Mikko Rantanen scored in Game 3 on Sunday’s 5-2 victory. Mikael Granlund recorded all three goals in the 3-1 win on Tuesday night for the third hat trick of the postseason on the Stars, all from Finnish players. Esa Lindell is eating up ice time in his routine of playing 25+ minutes per game. Relief is finally here after a welcome addition during Game 4.

Miro Heiskanen finally returned to the ice after a long absence since January. He never skipped a beat, critically breaking up a 4-on-1 Jets rush into the zone. Recording an assist ended a strong welcome party for his return. The Stars are at full strength while firing on all cylinders. They can close out the Jets on Thursday in Winnipeg. Ending the Jets’ season is a tall task as they are desperate to stave off elimination. The Jets stormed back from a multi-goal deficit with two minutes left in Game 7 last round. Eliminating the Jets is difficult for anyone, especially the man between the pipes.

Calm, cool, and collected best describe the puck-stopper tending the goal. Jake Oettinger is standing tall with a masterful performance in Game 4, stopping 31 out of 32 shots. Oettinger is the most peppered goaltender in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 337 shots faced. No other goaltender faced higher than 270. They’ll need his clutch net-minding to finish off the Jets.

Knocking Out the Jets

Eliminating the President’s Trophy-winning team is a boost to momentum for the Stars. The Jets are a tough team at home, generating a 5-1 record this postseason. Connor Hellebuyck is much better in Winnipeg, shutting out the Stars in Game 2. The Stars do not want to take their chance at home in Game 6, eliminate the Jets now. The Stars have difficulty shutting down teams with a 3-1 series lead. Only one of their series since 2006 ended in less than 6 games, the 2020 Western Conference Final. The 2020 Stars took a 3-1 series lead against the Avalanche, ending their run in overtime of Game 7. Another 3-1 series last year resulted in a Game 6 overtime victory, also against the Avalanche. Knocking out the Jets is a difficult assignment that the Stars would like to achieve before Game 6 or 7.

Sitting on a 3-1 series lead is a great feeling the Stars have right now. Being one win away from a third consecutive Western Conference Final appearance has fans believing this is the year. The Stars are Stanley Cup contenders with an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final being a successful accomplishment. The Stars are 9 wins away from a title but they must defeat the Jets first one more time.

Photo Credit: Dallas Stars X