Dallas is once again facing a tight spot in the NHL on Sunday morning, and this time on the away field in Vegas. The star jerseys are losing against Vegas in the final series of the Western Conference with wins of 1–3, so a loss in the gambling oasis would end the season of the team represented by five Finnish players.
The factor that gives hope is the victory from the previous game.
After three consecutive losses, in the fourth match, Dallas got its package together better and was able to win the match for itself through overtime. There is also a weak goalkeeping game From Jake Oettinger better now.
There are still plenty of threat images.
The goalkeeper game mentioned above is by no means the least of these. It is undeniable that Oettinger has been clearly the weakest of the remaining goaltenders in the playoffs. Where Vegas Adin Hill has saved 6.4 hits more than expected in the spring, Oettinger’s reading is 6.9 hits in the cold.
The most crushing difference in the developed statistics between the teams can be found in the category “goal difference over expected goal”. Vegas’ goal difference is more than 20 goals plus more than expected, Dallas’ 11.8 goals minus. This also has to do with goalkeeping.
What kind of goaltending play Dallas will enjoy on Sunday morning is a complete mystery during the match.
Dallas also has enough line-up concerns.
Captain Jamie Benn made an incredible fool of himself in the third game of a two-game suspension, and is still not playing. The side also has a Russian striker who played a lively spring due to injury Yevgeny Dadonov. These absences weaken Dallas’ roster significantly.
A mere superiority game is hardly enough
Dallas’ biggest challenges are still game-related. Especially playing five against five has so far been worryingly losing. The goal positions in the first sector in the 5–5 game are practically equal, but the goals are crushingly 11–4 in favor of Vegas.
This is a big concern for Dallas. Of course, it has operated with superiority effectively and thus hit the package of the match on Friday as well, but it will not turn the series around with superiority hits alone. Especially not with the ice hummers seen. In the series, Vegas has been favored with 2.25 and Dallas with 2.5 superiority opportunities per game.
Vegas has shot 5-for-5 with 10 and Dallas with 3% efficiency.
‘s hockey expert Ismo in Lehko has a clear view of how this has come to be.
– Vegas pilot Bruce Cassidy has done his homework excellently. Roope Hintz the chain is five against five right on the line. In Vegas, the action of the lower triangle is at the center of everything and it has taken away the speed from Hintz’s chain. The center is always helping the defenders, and in addition to that, the forwards are constantly side- and back-pressured, Lehkonen praises.
Dallas’ top chain has scored some points in the series and was about to solve the fourth game of the series, but at the same time, Vegas has been able to squeeze Hintz at the other end.
– The overwhelming weakness of Hintz’s chain is playing defense in their own area. Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski they don’t know how to defend. Guys would like to be going in the other direction all the time. If Robertson is the first attacker down, Dallas is in trouble.
According to Lehkonen, Vegas has a gambling advantage both at home and away. This is partly due to the smallness of the Stars’ players, especially now that Benn and Dadonov are on the sidelines. The Stars have become a one chain team in a tight spot. Dallas’ only goal from behind the first chain in the series belongs to Benn.
– They have a gambling advantage regardless of where they play. Vegas can put them against either by William Karlsson or by Jack Eichel the chain. Both of these play excellent two-way hockey.
On Sunday, Dallas desperately needs success from behind the top chain as well.
Defenders on acid
The Dallas defense has also had a hard time with the fast, large and strong Vegas machine. Miro Heiskanen is the only Dallas defender to get a clean sheet so far in the series. Heiskanen is able to constantly make decisions that promote the game, but the same cannot be said of the others.
Gross individual mistakes have cost the team goals.
– Vegas knows that Dallas’ defense is not good enough for six players. Esa Lindell and Jani Hakanpää are vital to that team, but they also seem to be completely out of gas. The guys are playing, but it just doesn’t seem like they can anymore. The others there have only been in trouble since then.
After all, the question remains: how could Dallas win on Sunday?
– The last time they got a result by increasing their fighting, loose puck and tackle play to the maximum. It has to be continued now, but I am asking if it is enough. They should be able to attack more directly and make players without the puck more sharp. The defender should be included in the attacks, but there is also a lot of trouble there, says Lehkonen.
Stats: NHL.com, Natural Stat Trick, Moneypuck.com