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Stars Shine in Game 7 Victory Over Knights

The Dallas Stars Surprised the Defending Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, in an Exciting Game 7

· May 06 - 3 minutes read

First-Round Upset

In NHL news, the Dallas Stars ousted last year’s Stanley Cup winners, the Vegas Golden Knights, from the playoffs with a 2-1 Game 7 victory and will move on to the next round where they will take on the high-flying Colorado Avalanche.

Stars Shine in Game 7 Victory Over Knights. — The Dallas Stars - Cooper Neill/Getty Images/AFP.

Tough decision here… 🤔 #StanleyCup

Presented by @CanadianTire pic.twitter.com/84b1BoNy1x

— NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2024

Knights Out

NHL rumors were circulating as to whether veteran Radek Faksa would be in the lineup after leaving Game 2 with an undisclosed injury. Fortunately for the Stars, head coach Peter DeBoer decided to suit up the 30-year-old center and it was a prescient addition to the lineup as Faksa tallied within a minute of the final period and put the Stars ahead for good in a 2-1 Game 7 win.

THAT’S #TEXASHOCKEY LOUD 🔊 pic.twitter.com/BFmkSnKktG

— z – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 6, 2024

Twenty-year-old Wyatt Johnston kicked things off for the Stars with an unassisted first-period goal before the Knights returned the favor in the second frame when Brett Howden lit the lamp for Vegas. The game remained knotted at one apiece before Faksa notched the game-winner in the third period.

Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger was razor sharp in turning aside 22 of 23 shots while Vegas netminder, Adin Hill, also played well in stopping 22 of 24 bids. The final period was all about staving off the Golden Knights after Faksa’s early third-period goal.

RADEK’S BACK AND WE’RE BACK IN FRONT! pic.twitter.com/tTPQPuh7FC

— z – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 6, 2024

“The last period was a clinic. Just so proud of the guys of how we responded,” Oettinger said. “It’s a long playoffs and you’re going to need different guys to step up at different times. A lot of hockey left so hopefully a lot more heroes. It’s going to be a fun ride.”

DeBoer Da Man

Stars head coach, Peter DeBoer, has a knack for getting his teams revved up for Game 7’s throughout his career. Not only has Dallas won both Game 7’s under his tenure but DeBoer’s career coaching record in deciding postseason games is 8-0 with four different teams. If there is one coach who can get his players inspired for a do-or-die contest, it is Peter DeBoer.

Pete DeBoer: 8-0 in Game 7’s. pic.twitter.com/Kj7jYIPSvb

— z – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 6, 2024

Radek Faksa’s stats during the regular season resembled those of a defenseman rather than a seasoned veteran center. Faksa had only seven goals and a dozen assists in 74 NHL games and was without a point in the first two playoff games against Vegas before sustaining an injury. Therefore, it would not have raised any eyebrows had DeBoer kept him out of the lineup on Sunday night even though he was cleared to play.

Radek Faksa promised his son that he’d score in Game 7…

Radek Faksa scored the SERIES-CLINCHING goal in Game 7 💚 pic.twitter.com/sluEFrTRtM

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 6, 2024

“It was the biggest goal of my career,” Faksa said after the game. “After every pregame skate, I play mini-stick hockey with my son and I promised him I would score a goal tonight and I’m glad I did. I’m so excited to show him the video of the goal in the morning.”