An emotional and drama-filled Recreation 6 between the host Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets showcased spectacular play, blistering pictures, superb saves and one gut-wrenching resolution on the a part of a participant who took the ice hours after studying of his father’s loss of life.

Winnipeg middle Mark Scheifele was knowledgeable of his father’s surprising passing earlier than Saturday’s morning skate, however with the Jets dealing with elimination the alternate captain opted to play in what wound up being a traditional 2-1 additional time loss.

NHL Playoffs 2025: Stanley Cup schedule, bracket, scores, as Stars beat Jets in OT to achieve convention ultimate

Austin Nivison

With the victory, the Stars transfer into the Western Convention Closing for the third straight yr, and with the loss it implies that the Presidents’ Trophy curse — in the event you consider in that kind of factor — continues. However curse or not, it’s uncanny that it’s going to now be a minimum of 12 seasons for the reason that crew with the perfect file within the common season additionally gained the Stanley Cup, making the reply to the trivia query the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.

With one other evening of the NHL playoffs within the books, let’s spotlight the perfect and brightest with our 3 Stars of the Night time.

3. Connor Hellebuyck | G | Jets

You recognize you had been concerned in a particular sport, whenever you cease 18 of 20 pictures, some with the acrobatics of a Cirque du Soleil performer — and also you’re solely the third star. Hellebuyck virtually singlehandedly stored the Jets within the sport as they tried to pressure a would-be Recreation 7 in Winnipeg Monday evening. This skate save on Mikko Rantanen was one of many extra unreal ones on the evening.

Hellebuyck performed greater than properly sufficient to win this Recreation 6 traditional, however sadly for him, the man minding the web on the different finish of the ice was only a tad bit higher.

2. Jake Oettinger | G | Stars

There are saves, good saves, nice saves, after which there’s no matter this was. Tied at 1 within the third interval, with Recreation 6 very a lot having a next-goal-wins vibe, Oettinger sprang throughout the crease to by some means deny Mason Appleton, who basically had an empty internet. With about 8:35 left in regulation, Oettinger provided Stars followers with an absolute gem — and Jets followers one thing to stew over all summer time.

1. Mark Scheifele | C | Jets

No, he wasn’t on the profitable crew. And, sure, he dedicated a tripping penalty within the waning seconds of the third interval that led to an influence play purpose in additional time, however if you cannot recognize what Mark Scheifele did for his crew Saturday evening then you definitely’re lacking the larger image. Upon studying that Scheifele’s father Brad has handed away the earlier evening, the youthful Scheifele determined to play, citing that it is what his dad would have needed. He would rating Winnipeg’s lone purpose.

As soon as information of Scheifele’s passing broke, the Dallas Morning Information reported that some Stars followers even started encouraging fellow Dallas supporters to donate $55 — his jersey quantity — to numerous charities supported by the Scheifele household. After the sport, through the handshake line, a number of Stars had comparatively lengthy chats and embraces with Scheifele whereas Dallas’ PA system blared Metallica’s “Nothing Else Issues.”