The Dallas Stars have eliminated the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights with a nail-biting 2-1 victory in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night.
The Stars, who lost to the Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final last season, exacted their revenge and will now face the Colorado Avalanche in the second round.
Radek Faksa, returning from an injury that kept him out of the previous four games, scored the game-winning goal just 44 seconds into the third period. “I just tried to get the puck on net,” Faksa said. “It was a lucky bounce, but we’ll take it.”
RADEK FAKSA WITH A NASTY BACKHANDER 😱
THE STARS HAVE THE LEAD AGAIN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/8O3Ow9sF4z
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 6, 2024
Stars Strike First
The Stars opened the scoring in the first period when 20-year-old Wyatt Johnston capitalized on a turnover by Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore.
Johnston, who had a breakout rookie season, continued his impressive play in the playoffs, finishing the series with four goals.
RADEK FAKSA WITH A NASTY BACKHANDER 😱
THE STARS HAVE THE LEAD AGAIN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/8O3Ow9sF4z
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 6, 2024
Golden Knights Tie It Up
Vegas tied the game in the second period when Brett Howden tapped in a backdoor pass from Michael Amadio on a rush.
However, the Golden Knights struggled to generate offense throughout the series, with their star players failing to produce at their usual levels.
ALL TIED UP OFF THE STICK OF BRETT HOWDEN 😱 pic.twitter.com/LGRhBaBcQl
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 6, 2024
Oettinger Stands Tall
Jake Oettinger, the Stars’ young goaltender, was stellar once again, stopping 21 of the 22 shots he faced.
“Jake was unbelievable,” Stars captain Jamie Benn said. “He’s been our best player all series.”
History Made
The Stars’ victory marks the first time in franchise history that they have overcome a 2-0 series deficit to win a playoff series.
It also serves as a measure of redemption for head coach Pete DeBoer, who was fired by the Golden Knights two seasons ago and now holds an impressive 8-0 record in Game 7s.
 Looking Ahead
As the Stars move on to face the Avalanche, the Golden Knights are left to ponder an earlier-than-expected offseason.
With several key players set to become unrestricted free agents, including Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson, the team faces important decisions in the coming months.
The second-round series between the Stars and Avalanche is set to begin on Tuesday night in Denver.
