NHL Playoffs: Stars vs. Blues Game 6, 3-2: Full recap and highlights (Video)

The Dallas Stars  evaded elimination in Game 6, tying their series with St. Louis Blues 3-3. 

Staving off elimination in Game 6 on Monday, the Stars took an early 2-0 lead in the first period.

A beautiful snipe from Mattias Janmark put the Stars on the board with about 15 minutes remaining in the first.

Just 20 seconds later, Vernon Fiddler celebrated his 36th birthday in style, scoring his first goal of this year’s playoffs.

Vernon Fiddler goal, 2-0 #Stars https://t.co/bsMoC4rBQf

At 12:01, Jason Demers penalty received the first penalty of regulation for high-sticking Jori Lehtera. The Blues were unable to effectively use their power play, ending the advantage without scoring a goal.

A beautiful back-check by Radek Faksa denied Troy Brouwer a successful scoring attempt on Kari Lehtonen in Dallas’ goal. Brouwer responded with a cross-check, drawing a penalty for the Blues. Dallas would finally capitalize on their power play; Jason Spezza scored on the advantage with 3:11 left in the first period, making the score 3-0 Stars.

Consequently, Jake Allen was sent in for the first time in the postseason to relieve Elliott with minutes left in the period. Allen has not played since April 3 against the Colorado Avalanche in the regular season. Kari Lehtonen in Dallas’ goal, meanwhile, was giving a spectacular performance. It seemed as though the teams were swapping goaltending fortunes.

This is the second straight series (the first being Dallas’ first-round series against the Minnesota Wild) in which the Stars came back from a Game 5 loss with three unanswered goals in the first period of Game 6.

Despite the strong lead, the Dallas Stars need to make a few unexpected adjustments: Patrick Sharp had a nasty hit by Blues captain David Backes and did not return to the ice.

At the end of the first period, the Blues actually led the Stars in shots on goal, 9-7. Yet, in seven shots on goal, the Stars managed to successfully plant three pucks in St. Louis’ net compared to Blues’ zero. Dallas showed much stronger defense from all players on the ice, and Lehtonen was riding strong after a long pattern of ups and downs this postseason.

Finally, with 12:31 remaining in the second period, Alex Steen scored on a wristshot, assisted by Robert Bortuzzo.

The Blues really stepped up their game in the second period. Halfway through the second period, St. Louis had 20 shots on goal compared to Dallas’ eight; St. Louis made 11 of those shots in the second period alone, while Dallas only got in one.

Yet, St. Louis failed to take advantage of various scoring opportunities and turnovers throughout the period, preventing them from getting closer to tying the score. By the end of the period, they had 23 shots on goal compared to Dallas’ 12.

Kris Russell’s delay of game penalty at the start of the third period gave the Blues power play opportunity. Though they were unable to capitalize on the power play, Patrik Berglund scored on a tip-in from Lehtera and Backes with 11:01 remaining in regulation. They now trailed Dallas by one goal.

The Blues maintained puck possession throughout the final period of regulation, but they were unable to get the edge they needed to tie the game. With about a minute remaining in the game, St. Louis pulled Allen from the ice, setting up an empty net.

Three Stars

G Kari Lehtonen (STARS)
Lehtonen did not raise any doubts for his performance in Game 6, saving 35 out of 37 shots on goal. 

G Jake Allen (BLUES)
Coming in at the end of the first period to relieve Brian Elliott, Allen let in zero goals in seven shots on goal, compared to Elliott’s three goals in four shots (.571 save percentage). The player hadn’t seen a game since April 6, but his performance didn’t show it.

C Jason Spezza (STARS)
The forward scored the go-ahead goal at the end of the first play on a power play goal. His goal tied the series 3-3.

Highlights

Momma Fiddler reacting to her son’s goal:

And Jay Bouwmeester’s embarrassing fumble (caught on screen, of course) doesn’t do much to support his efforts to prevent Spezza’s gorgeous toe-dragging goal.

Next Game

The series returns to Dallas on Wednesday, May 11, when the Stars will look to win the series at home in Game 7. The game will be aired on NBC Sports Network.

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