Stars' Thomas Harley and Jake Oettinger put an end to the Jets' 2025 Playoffs Run

Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets (GAME 6)

The Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference Finals after they won Game 6 in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets on May 17, 2025. This matchup took place at the American Airlines Center and ended with a 2-1 overtime win for the Stars. Read about what led to the Stars’ overtime win, the standout players of each team, and game stats! 

Game Recap

The first period remained scoreless despite the Stars maintaining puck possession throughout the period. Both teams’ PK units also remained untested as each team played a cautious, yet physical game. In the end, the spectacular goaltending performances by Jets’ #37 Connor Hellebuyck and Stars’ #29 Jake Oettinger kept it a 0-0 game after the first twenty minutes of regulation. 

The Jets came back in the second period and found their rhythm in the beginning half of the second period. Jets’ #55 Mark Scheifele, with the heaviest hearts after losing his father the night before Game 6, scored the opening goal and made it a 1-0 game early in the second period. This 1-0 lead did not last too long as #18 Sam Steel’s snapshot went bar down and tied the game 1-1 for the Stars during the latter half of the period. The Stars did have a great chance to gain the lead with two seconds left in the second period, however, they were unable to beat the buzzer which kept it a 1-1 game going into the last period of regulation. 

The third period remained a tied game, 1-1, with great scoring chances, saves, and zero penalties called until the last fifteen seconds of regulation. In an elimination game for the Jets, #55 Scheifele unfortunately received a tripping penalty late in the third period which put the Stars on the power play. Jets’ goaltender, #37 Hellebuyck, was able to keep the Jets in the game during the final seconds of regulation and forced overtime. 

The long goaltending duel between Stars’ #29 Oettinger and Jets’ #37 Hellebuyck came to an end two minutes into overtime. With thirteen seconds left on the Stars’ man-advantage, #55 Thomas Harley scored the game-winning overtime power play goal which sent the Dallas Stars into the Western Conference Finals. Ecstatic over their win, the fans and Stars know that the battle is not over yet as they are scheduled for a Western Conference Finals rematch against the Edmonton Oilers. 

The standout players

Dallas Stars

• Forward: #18 Sam Steel scored the game-tying goal of the game for the Stars

• Defensemen: #55 Thomas Harley scored the game-winning overtime goal and assisted one goal during this game

• Goaltender: #29 Jake Oettinger had a save percentage of 0.957% after he saved all 22 shots on goal

Winnipeg Jets

• Forward: #55 Mark Scheifele scored the opening goal of this game for the Jets

• Goaltender: #37 Connor Hellebuyck had a save percentage of 0.900% after he saved 18 out of 20 shots on goal

Stats

• The Jets outshot the Stars (23 SOG vs. 20SOG)

• The Jets delivered more hits than the Stars (54 hits vs. 26 hits)

• The Stars won more faceoffs than the Jets (64% vs. 36%) 

• The Stars were the only team to have a power play opportunity and successfully scored on the man-advantage (100 PP%)

SUMMARY: The Stars’ overall ability to capitalize on their man-advantage as well as the impressive in-net performance by #29 Jake Oettinger helped them to advance into the Western Conference Finals despite the Jets playing a more physical game and maintaining puck possession throughout this game. 

The Dallas Stars won the series 4-2 in the second round of the 2025 playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets

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