Why Game 7 between the Blues and Stars is must-see hockey

The Eastern Conference Final set itself after the Penguins defeated the Capitals Tuesday night. The Western Conference Final, however, is still a bit of a mystery, with two Game 7 bouts scheduled for the latter part of the week. Needless to say, neither one of these games is to be missed.

Looking back at media predictions preceding Round 2’s matchup between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars, there were a few who forecast a six- or seven-game series. St. Louis was still considered the heavy favorite to take the series, and it came as a bit of a surprise when the Blues crumbled at the start of Game 6 and could only muster a pair of goals before falling 3-2. At this point, anything can happen in Game 7.

The matchup itself between the Blues and Stars has been intriguing from the get-go, given that each squad boasts different strengths. St. Louis, while possessing a bevy of offensive weapons, advanced to the second round over the Chicago Blackhawks thanks to stout defense and consistent goaltending. Dallas, on the other hand, has continued relying heavily on its fierce offense to carry the squad, much like it did for the duration of the regular season.

So what happens when those key things fail? You get Vladimir Tarasenko leading a charge better than Jamie Benn’s in St. Louis’s 6-1 route in Game 3. Or you get Kari Lehtonen making the big saves that Brian Elliott couldn’t in Game 6.

Despite their differences, neither of the Central Division rivals has completely overpowered the other, making these teams more similar creatures than they are opposite. That means Game 7 won’t be won by a team playing at less than 100 percent, and it can be expected that both squads will bring their A-games.

NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin eloquently summarized how the similarities between the two teams make for the ultimate Game 7 tilt:

The teams have come off two games in which they have mirrored the play of each other, the Stars getting the bulk of the chances in Game 5 and losing at home, the Blues getting the bulk of the chances in Game 6 and losing at home. Both teams have pulled goaltenders, with Dallas' Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi each getting taken out early earlier in the series, and St. Louis' Brian Elliott suffering the same fate in Game 6.  

Still, there is confidence in the dressing rooms. Confidence from experience, including that of the Blues in the Western Conference First Round, where they won a Game 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Confidence from the way they have played previously. Confidence from the fact that neither team has truly had the upper hand in this series, neither has ever entirely stolen more than about 60 minutes of play.

And with confidence comes a heightened level of play.

Expect St. Louis to up its speed to match Dallas, and expect Dallas to hit heavier along the blue line to mirror that of St. Louis. Heck, with all the adrenaline, expect the possibility of a decent fight or two. But most of all, expect the unexpected.

We don’t quite know what we’re going to see transpire between the Blues and Stars and Game 7, but it certainly promises to be must-see hockey.