In the wake of the Dallas Stars’ Western Conference Finals loss to the Edmonton Oilers, coach Pete DeBoer spoke about where things went wrong for the team.
Stars coach Pete DeBoer joined Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM). In the interview, DeBoer touched on Game 4, where the Stars had a 2-1 series lead heading into the matchup, and took a two-goal lead in the first period, seemingly having control of the series.
“We also had a bunch of breakaways at different points that we didn’t finish to extend leads. And they hung around. They have the two best players in the world. And I thought right through Game 4, you know, the special teams, we had held them in check,” DeBoer commented.
The Oilers would go on to score five consecutive goals in the Game 4 loss for the Stars in Edmonton. The referenced Oilers stars and ‘best players in the world’ in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl collectively had a goal and three assists in that game to lift Edmonton in what would prove to be a turning point in the series.
Stars players like Jamie Benn have been vocal about how they’ve drawn inspiration from their co-tenants at American Airlines Center in the Dallas Mavericks, and Pete DeBoer made a point to further point ou the connections.
Connor McDavid scored a mesmerizing toe-drag goal around Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen that seemed to baffle everyone, including DeBoer.
“When you get to the final four, those are the moments, just like in the NBA. What the Mavs big guys did in the conference final, Kyrie and Doncic. That’s what the best players in the world live for,” DeBoer said.
The Stars, facing another pre-Stanley Cup Final exit, will look to re-configure their roster amidst the news that the likes of Joe Pavelski will have played his last game. While the previously mentioned Oilers stars will make their Stanley Cup Final debuts on Saturday.
