The Dallas Stars hockey players defeated the Vegas Golden Nights 2:1 in the decisive seventh game of the first round of the NHL playoffs. The decisive goal was scored in the third period by Czech forward Radek Faksa, who returned to the lineup after injury. He thus imitated a similar piece by David Pastrňák from the previous day.
Radek Faksa returned to the Dallas lineup after an injury and in the seventh game of the NHL playoff first round series against Vegas decided on a 2:1 advance win with a winning goal. Martin Nečas’ goal did not reverse Carolina’s 3-4 loss to the New York Rangers in the opening game of the second round.
Dallas was the best team in the Western Conference in the regular season, but in the first round they got an unpopular opponent from Vegas, with whom they lost four times in a row before the start of the series. The Stars confirmed their unflattering record in the first two games, but then broke the streak and finally slipped into the conference semifinals.
The only Czech in the Stars lineup had a significant share in the key 2:1 win. Faksa surprised goalkeeper Adin Hill with a backhand in the opening minute of the third period, and his goal proved to be the winner after the final siren. The Czech striker returned to the lineup after a four-game break caused by injury and managed four hits in 10 and a half minutes in addition to the winning goal.
“I’m terribly happy. It’s the biggest goal of my career so far. After every pre-game skate, I play hockey with my son and I promised him that I’d score a goal today. I’m looking forward to showing him the video in the morning,” Faksa said in an interview.
“The coaches keep telling us that our fourth line must be better than the opponent’s. After all, that’s why they eliminated us from the playoffs last year. This year it’s reversed. The fact that they can play all the lines is very important and these little things often make the decision,” he added.
After rolling past the New York Islanders in the second round of the playoffs, Carolina ran into New York’s No. 2 team and entered the series with the best team in the regular season with a loss. Despite a goal by Martin Nečas, the Hurricanes lost to the Rangers 3:4 and lost the second game in the ongoing elimination battles. Thanks to Mika Zibanejad’s three points, the Rangers remain 100 percent even after five played playoff duels.
NHL Playoff Round 1:
Western Conference – Game 7:
Dallas – Vegas 2:1 (1:0, 0:1, 1:0)
Goals: 15. W. Johnston, 41. Faksa – 36. Howden. Shots on goal: 24:23. Spectators: 19,046. Stars of the game: 1. Faksa, 2. Oettinger, 3. W. Johnston (all Dallas). The final state of the series 4:3.
2nd round:
Eastern Conference – Game 1:
New York Rangers – Carolina 4:3 (3:1, 0:0, 1:2)
Goals: 3. and 11. Zibanejad, 17. Trocheck, 49. Panarin – 4. Slavin, 43. Nečas, 59. Jarvis. Shot on goal: 23:25. Spectators: 18,006. Stars of the game: 1. Zibanejad, 2. Trocheck, 3. Kreider (all New York Rangers). Series status 1:0.
Tags: Czech decided seventh NHL duel Vegas ends playoffs star Hertl free
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