Dallas Stars Win Thrilling Game 6 in OT to Reach WCF

Dallas Stars defeat Winnipeg Jets in overtime in Game 6, advancing to the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Dallas Stars are heading back to the Western Conference Finals for the third consecutive year after defeating the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in overtime during Game 6.

A thrilling goalie battle came to an end with the Stars emerging victorious, thanks largely to a crucial penalty called against the Jets that carried over into overtime and likely proved decisive. The Stars will now prepare to face the Edmonton Oilers, who secured their spot in the Western Conference Final after beating the Vancouver Canucks in seven games.

The Dallas Stars will face the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals, a rematch of last year's series. Let's break down the game period by period, culminating in the game-winning goal that sealed the Stars' victory and their spot in the next round.

1st Period

The first period was a goaltending showcase, with both teams' netminders holding strong. The action was quiet, with only 10 shots on goal combined, setting the stage for a defensive battle.

2nd Period

The Jets broke the scoreless deadlock in the second period, with Mark Scheifele scoring his fifth playoff goal of the season. The goal held special significance, as Scheifele had learned of his father's passing just the day before and had been questionable for the game. Despite the emotional challenge, Scheifele's determination shone through in his goal, which likely brought pride to his family's memory.

The goal marked a milestone for Mark Scheifele, his 49th career playoff point, matching teammates Kyle Connor and Dale Hawerchuk's totals. Meanwhile, Connor notched his 12th assist of the playoffs, putting him just two behind league leader Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.

The Stars quickly responded to the Jets' goal, with Sam Steel scoring his first playoff goal to tie the game 1-1 with less than nine minutes remaining in the period.

VIBES: SO IMMACULATE! @Patron | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/dDTg8kfC2B

— X - Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 18, 2025

Heading into the second intermission, the Jets dominated in shots, outshooting the Stars 45-19 overall and 16-14 in the second period. Winnipeg significantly increased their shot attempts from the first period (4) to the second (12). Notably, both teams played penalty-free hockey in the first two periods.

3rd Period and Overtime

The third period and overtime were marked by exceptional goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger, who made crucial saves to keep their teams in the game. Despite a combined total of only 11 shots on goal, the tension was palpable, with neither team able to find the back of the net in the third period.

A costly penalty by Mark Scheifele as time expired in the third period gave the Stars a full power play in overtime. Although the infraction potentially could have been a penalty shot, it was ultimately called as a two-minute minor.

The Stars capitalized on the power play, with Thomas Harley scoring his fourth playoff goal just 14 seconds in, ripping a shot top shelf to win the series and send the Dallas crowd into a frenzy.

The NHL's top seeds, the Washington Capitals in the East and Winnipeg Jets in the West, have both been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their exits set the stage for the Western Conference Finals, where the Dallas Stars will face the Edmonton Oilers in a rematch of last year's series.