People love Game 7’s because of the heart-stopping tension that comes when both teams are facing elimination. Sometimes a blowout can make such a situation a little anticlimactic.
The Dallas Stars and especially Kari Lehtonen laid an egg in the first period of Game 7, falling behind 3-0. While Dallas generated some impressive chances, the St. Louis Blues never really looked back in a 6-1 win.
The two final ugly goals of the first period really seemed to spell Dallas’ doom:
Some familiar faces came through for the Blues, with Brian Elliott making some big saves and enjoying the occasional break ...
If anyone doubted whether Brian Elliott would bounce back don't know this player's demeanor. Guy is totally focused on competing every night
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) May 12, 2016
... While the likes of Troy Brouwer kept hot streaks going:
Brouwer Hour. After going pointless for the first 5 games of the postseason,Troy Brouwer now has 10 pts in his last 9. @NHLonNBCSports
— Liam McHugh (@liam_mchugh) May 12, 2016
No doubt about it, the Stars’ goaltending will be remembered as one of the main stories of this series.
The Stars aren't shining in the net. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/xtAVSnSXoH
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 12, 2016
With that, the Blues move on to the Western Conference Final where they’ll face the winner of tomorrow’s Game 7 between the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks.
Meanwhile, the Stars see their often-promising 2015-16 season end with an enormous thud; they’ll face plenty of soul-searching questions about defending their own end of the ice (from the net on out).
Now we shake hands. #WeAllBleedBlue https://t.co/v0Z96kzALQ
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 12, 2016
Hey, at least the Stars avoided being on this specific list regarding Game 7 futility:
Biggest Game 7 shutout wins:
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) May 12, 2016
DET 7-0 over COL-2002
TOR 6-0 over STL-1993
NYR 5-0 over WAS-2013
MTL 5-0 over BOS - 2008
VAN 5-0 over WPG-1992
The Blues will enjoy home-ice advantage in the third round regardless of their opponent.
The Western Conference Final will open in St. Louis. Blues have home ice. #StanleyCup
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) May 12, 2016
The @StLouisBlues reached the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2001 (4-1 L vs. COL). #DALvsSTL pic.twitter.com/LYjv8S1xpa
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 12, 2016