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.

One win away from advancing to the Western Conference final, it's frightening how much more dangerous this team can get at full strength.

The Oilers, who last season made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before losing in seven games to Florida, will play Dallas or Winnipeg in the next round. The Stars, who lead 3-1, will go for the series win Thursday night.

The Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars are each one win away from winning their second-round series and moving on to the conference finals.

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.

The reveal of the 2025 international slate suggests a Mexico trip may be coming next year; the Cowboys support the NHL's Stars in Game 4.

Dallas made the Western Conference Final in each of the past two seasons. In those two playoff runs combined, Heiskanen led the Stars with 28:00 of average ice time and their defensemen with 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 38 games. If he can get back up to speed, he can make Dallas even more dangerous.