(@DallasStars/X)
Against all odds in the Mile High City, the Western Conference top seed found a way to prevail.
The Dallas Stars eliminated the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Game 6 of the 2024 second round. With the win, Dallas advances to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive season and the third time in five seasons. 2024 marked the fourth time in Dallas Stars history that they eliminated the Avalanche in the Playoffs.
After a scoreless first period, Mikko Rantanen scored the first goal of the game on the powerplay at 5:48 of the second period. After Alexander Georgiev stopped all 13 shots on goal by Dallas in the first two periods, Jamie Benn tied the game 1:56 into the third period. Overtime was needed for the second time this series.
Both teams had excellent chances to score, but one play was talked about in the first overtime. With under 7:30 to go, Mason Marchment looked to have the series-winning goal, but the was disallowed for goaltender interference on Matt Duchene in controversial fashion.
A second overtime was needed. There’s an old saying that “puck don’t lie.” At 11:42 of the second overtime, Duchene scored the series-winning goal to advance the Stars to the Western Conference Finals. It was Duchene’s third career overtime goal in his Playoff career.
Game 6 is a moment Duchene won’t forget as he grew up an Avalanche fan and spent the first nine seasons of his career in Colorado before requesting a trade in the 2017-18 season. Duchene was swept by the Avalanche in the 2022 first round when he was a member of the Predators.
The Stars won all three games in Denver to improve to 5-1 on the road in the 2024 Playoffs. The Avalanche had the best home record in the NHL with a 31-9-1 record in the regular season. Jake Oettinger made 29 saves in the win.
With the series clinched, the Stars will now wait who their opponent will be in the Conference Finals. It will be either the Canucks or Oilers. The Canucks lead the series 3-2 with Game 6 being tonight at 7 p.m. CT with the Oilers hosting the Canucks.
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