The Dallas Stars are the Western Conference’s top seed, but their magical season could end Wednesday night if they lose Game 7 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the St. Louis Blues.
Luckily for the Stars, the decisive game is at home, where they are 3-0-2 in the postseason. The Stars haven’t reached the conference finals since 2008, while the Blues haven’t advanced to that stage since 2001.
Here’s a quick preview of Game 7.
Need to Know
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 11, at 8 p.m. ET
TV/Live Stream: NBCSN, NBC Sports Live Extra
Location: American Airlines Arena, Dallas
Stars Player to Watch: Jason Spezza, C
The Blues will focus most of their attention on shutting down Stars captain and Hart Trophy finalist Jamie Benn, so it’s important for Spezza to provide the necessary depth scoring from the second line. The veteran center hadn’t scored a goal in this series until Game 6.
Spezza also has played in a lot of big games in his career, including the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. He won’t be intimidated by the Game 7 stage, and his leadership and experience should be a calming influence for a mostly young and inexperienced Dallas roster.
Blues Player To Watch: Vladimir Tarasenko, RW
Tarasenko scored 40 goals during the regular season and has six more in the playoffs, but just two have come against the Stars. He hasn’t scored since Game 4, but he does have six points (two goals, four assists) in the series. Game 7 is when you need your best players to carry the load, which is why Tarasenko must give a strong performance if St. Louis is to reach the conference finals.
Cool Stat
St. Louis attempted 75 shots in Game 6, compared to Dallas’ 25. The Blues tallied just 11 high-danger scoring chances despite a wide margin in shot attempts, so it’s imperative for St. Louis that it penetrates the slot and creates better quality chances. Dallas doesn’t have the goaltending skill to withstand another 75 shots and win.
Prediction
Goaltending and defense often plays the most pivotal roles in a Game 7 because neither team takes many chances. Therefore, the Blues should be a slight favorite because their blue line is more talented and deeper, and Brian Elliott is more trustworthy than either Stars goalie despite his struggles in Game 6. St. Louis should win a close game, 2-1.
Thumbnail photo via Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports Images
