Dallas Stars Potentially Getting A Big Boost Ahead Of Game 6

If the Dallas Stars are going to go on a run and potentially win the Stanley Cup this season, they are going to need their veteran leader back as soon as possible. Joe Pavelski was taken out of Game 1 vs the Minnesota Wild by a questionably late hit by Matt Dumba. Pavelski had to be helped off of the ice and may return for Game 6.

The Stars have gone up 3-2 in the series and are looking to finish off the Wild who have lost six consecutive first round series and just can't seem to get over the hump. Pavelski is one of the most experienced players in the game and also when it comes to the playoffs, so getting him back to rejoin the top line will give the Stars more depth and another near point-per-game threat back in the lineup. It will not be easy to knock off the Wild as they have not played poorly this series.

Pavelski has had some very impressive playoff runs throughout his career which includes:

2009-10 - 9 goals, 17 points, 15 games played.

2012-13 - 4 goals, 12 points, 11 games played.

2015-16 - 14 goals, 23 points, 24 games played.

2019-20 - 13 goals, 19 points, 27 games played.

Tyler Seguin has done a very good job filling in on the top line in place of Pavelski, but the second line is in desperate need of some scoring help with one goal as a line through five games. Head coach Pete DeBoer said that Pavelski has participated in a full practice other than special teams and will be a game-time decision depending on how he's feeling.