Stars force Game 6 vs. Golden Knights in Western Conference final

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The Dallas Stars won Game 5 of the Western Conference final 4-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, staving off elimination. Here's what you need to know:

• With the game tied 2-2 in the third period, Stars forward Ty Dellandrea scored the go-ahead goal at 10:35 in the frame to put Dallas up 3-2. Dellandrea scored another goal at 12:02 in the period, sealing the victory for the Stars.
• Jason Robertson and Luke Glendening also scored for Dallas. Ivan Barbashev and Chandler Stephenson were the goal scorers for the Golden Knights.
• Vegas leads 3-2 in the series. Game 6 is Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

The Athletic's instant analysis:

Vegas wasted another great showing by Hill

The Golden Knights were outskated and out chanced throughout Saturday's game, failing on yet another opportunity to close the series out. The only reason it was close through two periods was Adin Hill's heroics in net.

He stood on his head and robbed the Stars on several grade-A chances to hold Vegas in the game, but eventually Dallas' offensive pressure was too much. — Granger

Vegas' depth was defeated

Both teams got goals from their top players on Saturday. Jack Eichel and Barbashev combined for Vegas' first goal, and Stephenson scored the second. Dallas got yet another goal from Robertson.

The difference in the game was the Stars' depth forwards, who outplayed Vegas' dramatically. Third-line winger Dellandrea scored both of the goals in the third period to seal the win, and the fourth line held a massive edge in possession against Vegas' fourth line all night long. — Granger

Dellandrea's debut

Dellandrea had been a healthy scratch for the first two games of the series against the Golden Knights, so Saturday marked his first game in Vegas this postseason. Dellandrea is one of the Stars' top penalty-killing forwards and typically provides gritty minutes on the fourth.

With the Stars down Jamie Benn and Evgenii Dadonov in Game 5, Dellandrea stepped up in a big way. The Stars had a tough time solving Hill, Vegas' netminder, who made one spectacular save after another, including robbing Roope Hintz and Joel Kiviranta on the doorstep.

Dellandrea solved the puzzle, scoring two goals in less than two minutes in the third period. That proved to be the difference in the game, elevating the Stars to force a Game 6 in Dallas. — Yousuf

How the Stars lineup will look with Jamie Benn returning for Game 6

The Stars will now welcome captain Benn back to the lineup in Game 6.

One of the key storylines to monitor the next couple of days will be who comes out to make space for Benn. Dellandrea had two goals, Glendening brings value on the penalty kill and the faceoff circle and Joel Kiviranta continues to put forth solid performances. Fredrik Olofsson has been a spark for the fourth line in the past two games he's had to slide in.

By merit, the answer would seem to be Mason Marchment, who has struggled in these playoffs but he has been a lineup regular when healthy. It will be interesting to see how Stars head coach Pete DeBoer handles it. — Yousuf

Highlight of the game

The Stars now have a 4-2 lead in the third 🚨

🎥 @DallasStarspic.twitter.com/kV04pzyeaj

— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) May 28, 2023

Key stat

Robertson became the fourth player in Stars/North Stars franchise history to score five goals in the round before the Stanley Cup Final. The other three players are Brett Hull (2000), Jamie Langenbrunner (1999) and Bill Goldsworthy (1968).

Required reading

• A 3-0 playoff comeback? Golden Knights' Alec Martinez knows how to do it (and avoid it)
• Jason Robertson steps up for Stars in critical Game 4: 'Totally different player'

(Photo: Chris Unger / Getty Images)

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