Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski nets another playoff goal as the series tightens between Dallas and Seattle
In a high-stakes sixth game of the NHL second-round series, Joe Pavelski found the back of the net for Dallas, adding to his already historic playoff tally. This marker pushed Pavelski to 72 career playoff goals, a milestone that places him among the all-time greats in the modern era. The milestone also means he has surpassed the center of the Penguins and caught up with Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin, two players who have defined this generation in postseason scoring. Both veterans stand at the top of the list for current NHL players still active in the playoffs, a testament to their longevity and impact in spring hockey.
Seattle held a home-ice advantage and hosted the league at their venue on May 14, delivering a decisive 6-3 victory. The Kraken crafted a strong performance that evening, crafting a lead with timely goals and solid defense. The winning contributors were spread across the lineup, with Jordan Eberle orchestrating one of the standout plays and teammates Yanni Gourd, Eeli Tolvanen, Ty Cartier, and Matty Beniers all finding the scoresheet with additional goals. Dallas answered with contributions from Mason Marchment, Pavelski, and Yoel Kiviranta, ensuring the game remained competitive until the final buzzer. The mismatch in momentum, however, tipped in Seattle’s favor as the clock wound down, illustrating the unpredictable nature of playoff hockey.
Russian forward Evgeny Dadonov, who wears the Stars colors, faced a challenging night in the offensive zone, unable to convert on several solid chances. His absence from critical plays underscored the tight pressure Dallas faced from Seattle, especially in the middle frame, where Seattle’s forecheck paid dividends and shifted the tempo of the game. The result reflected a series of back-and-forth battles that have characterized this postseason meeting, with neither side yielding a clear advantage as the teams traded wins in the early games of the series.
After six games, the series tension is unresolved as the score sits at 3-3. The deciding seventh game is set to tip off on May 16, with puck drop scheduled for 3:00 Moscow time, a time that highlights the global reach of the NHL playoffs and the cross-continental audience that tunes in for every moment of the chase for the Western Conference title. Fans in North America, Europe, and beyond have watched the same story unfold—two teams pushing to the brink, each game rewriting the narrative as the series moves toward its culmination.
Looking back at the first round, Seattle earned a convincing victory over the Colorado Avalanche, while Dallas took down the Minnesota Wild. Those early rounds established the tone for a matchup that has lived up to the hype: physical, fast-paced, and full of late-game drama. As each team loaded up for the final chapter of this tightly contested series, the anticipation among fans grew, with both sides knowing that a single win could secure a spot in the conference finals. The tension and drama surrounding this series underscore why playoff hockey remains one of the most captivating spectacles in all of sport.
In sum, Pavelski’s goal, the balanced contributions from Seattle, and the overall competitiveness of the six games have set the stage for a dramatic Game 7. The outcome will determine which franchise advances to the Western Conference finals, where new chapters will be written in the pursuit of the Stanley Cup. The entire matchup has reminded observers that playoff hockey rewards precision, resilience, and the kind of late-game grit that defines champions.