The Carolina Hurricanes became the second team to clinch their spot in the conference final round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday.

Well, that “U.S. backup” has Dallas on the verge of its third consecutive trip to the Western Conference Final. Oettinger mostly has outplayed Hellebuyck throughout these NHL playoffs and in the second-round Western Conference series that the Stars lead 3-1 over the top-seeded Jets.

Defenseman Miro Heiskanen had an assist in his return for Dallas Stars in the NHL playoffs after missing 3 1/2 months with a left knee injury.

Dallas has found ways to not only survive, but thrive while shorthanded against some of the NHL’s best power plays, and it’s creating a surge of momentum

Mikael Granlund’s first career postseason hat trick accounted for all the goals for the Stars in their 3-1 win that put them up 3-1 in their second-round Western Conference series against the top-seeded Jets.

Mikael Granlund had his first career playoff hat trick, Jake Oettinger stopped 31 shots and the Dallas Stars beat Winnipeg 3-1 to take a 3-1 series series lead over the top seed in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Behind another solid performance from Frederik Andersen in net and a late third-period charge punctuated by an Andrei Svechnikov goal, the Hurricanes downed the Capitals in five games.