Folks around the NHL like to say a Game 7 is a coin flip. Recent statistics support that. In the last 20 Game 7s dating to 2015, the home team has won 10 and the road team has won 10. In this year's Game 7s, the home team is 2-1. The St. Louis Blues can't feel too cocky about hosting the Dallas Stars in a Game 7 because they have played better on the road than they have at home. They are 5-1 on the road in these playoffs and only 2-4 in St. Louis. The Stars are 4-2 in road games. The Blues should enter the game with confidence after a strong road win in Dallas in Game 6. But the Stars have been the Western Conference's best defensive team (2.33 goals-against average) and top penalty killing team (94.3%) in the postseason. The USA TODAY Sports NHL panel picks who will be moving on to the Western Conference final after Tuesday's Game 7: PAINFUL:Bishop injured on shot, and Blues score while he is down SHARKS:Pavelski says cross-checking penalty wasn't worth five minutes STILL UPSET:Don Cherry doubles down on 'jerks' criticism of Hurricanes Kevin Allen, Stars: This has been an evenly played series, but it feels like Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov are going to be the difference in a Game 7. Stars goalie Ben Bishop might have extra motivation because he was writhing in pain on the ice when the Blues scored a big goal in Game 6. In 46 career playoff decisions, Bishop has won 28 (60.8%) and owns a .927 save percentage. Experience should count in a Game 7. Jimmy Hascup, Stars: The Stars are in Game 7 with their top four offensive players (Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov, Tyler Seguin and Mats Zuccarello) combining for four goals (Seguin has two). They could easily have a few more, meaning it could be a matter of time before they pop off. Dallas has dealt with enough adversity this season and Game 7 won't faze them. Mike Brehm, Blues. Ben Bishop says he has no ill effects from the shot off his collarbone, so this will be a goalie battle. Blues rookie goalie Jordan Binnington has shown plenty of poise in the playoffs, and Jaden Schwartz has had clutch goals. But the Blues need more production from Vladimir Tarasenko, who has one point in the last five games. Jace Evans, Blues. In the three seven-game series we've seen in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the loser of those series had a chance to close things out in Game 6 and failed. While every series - and every game - in the NHL playoffs is different, it does illustrate the emotional component for each team. The Blues have to be feeling pretty good their season didn't end Sunday in Dallas. As for this game, it will all come down to Jordan Binnington: if he can rise to the occasion, the Blues will be skating into the conference final for the third time in the 21st century.<doc-sep>The St. Louis Blues beat the Dallas Stars in a double-overtime, Game 7 thriller Tuesday on their home ice. It was a classic Game 7 that could have gone either way. That is until Robert Thomas’ shot from in close hit the post, then bounced of Dallas goalie Ben Bishop’s back, and then was knocked into the net by Patrick Maroon, who happens to be a St. Louis native. Bedlam ensued as the team and the fans celebrated how you’re supposed to after a Game 7 double-OT win that pushes you into the Western Conference Finals where they’ll face either the Sharks or Avalanche. Here’s the game-winner: Robert Thomas' shot hits the post, then Ben Bishop, then Pat Maroon bangs it home. pic.twitter.com/k0iBFweULS — Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) May 8, 2019 But fans also took the time time to praise Bishop, who’s one of the best goalies in the league and stood on his head by making 52 saves in an incredible Game 7 performance that came up just short: can't we just let ben bishop advance on his own? he deserves it — Megan Schuster (@megschuster) May 8, 2019 Ben Bishop didn't deserve to lose tonight. — Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) May 8, 2019 Someone give Ben Bishop a hug — riff master (@jeffhxlt) May 8, 2019 Imagine Dallas goaltender Ben Bishop now. You stop 52 of 54 shots (.963) and it isn’t good enough. — Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) May 8, 2019 Ben Bishop is on another level. Incredible stuff. #GoStars — Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 8, 2019 Can't say enough about the performance of Ben Bishop. Just spectacular tonight. Just spectacular. — Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) May 8, 2019 Ben Bishop could catch Thor's hammer — game of sporps (@OVECHKlN) May 8, 2019 Team owes Bishop an apology for tonight's display. — Broward Maryan (@Puckhead48E) May 8, 2019 Ben Bishop carrying every player on the Stars pic.twitter.com/FNWjRp6lEV — Jack Stevens (@jackstevens_9) May 8, 2019 All hail Ben Bishop — Kale (@KaleHogle) May 8, 2019<doc-sep>It took more than 85 minutes, but the St. Louis Blues deservedly claimed Game 7 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Dallas Stars with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night. Pat Maroon scored the winner in the second overtime period after the teams battled to a stalemate through regulation and a full extra frame. Maroon's goal came on the Blues' 54th shot of the night, as Stars goaltender Ben Bishop spent most of the game proving his Vezina Trophy finalist credentials. The Stars were held to just seven total shots in the second and third periods while St. Louis attacked in waves, with the 32-year-old Bishop the last line of defense. The Blues ended the game with a 54-30 advantage in shots on goal. Bishop was able to stymie the Blues after giving up the game's first goal at 13:30 of the first period, and on a few occasions it seemed like Bishop's heroics would be enough as the Stars came within inches of scoring the game-winner several times in the overtime periods. Ultimately the Blues' persistence paid off, with St. Louis native Maroon ending the game and the series by pouncing on a rebound following an offensive zone faceoff. The Blues move on to the Western Conference finals, where they await the winner of Wednesday's Game 7 between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks. Sporting News tracked Tuesday's Western Conference semifinal Game 7 between St. Louis and Dallas with live, real-time updates. Here is how it all played out: Stars vs. Blues: Score, Game 7 result, highlights from 2019 NHL playoffs Blues 2, Stars 1 (2 OTs) Overtime 2 14:10 - 🚨 GOAL! 🚨 Finally the Blues find a way past Ben Bishop! Game over, series over. Blues 2, Stars 1. 15:36 - Whoa! Parayko nearly scores an own goal, then Benn almost stuffs home the rebound with Binnington's pad behind the goal line! 18:04 - The Stars have started this period on the front foot. 20:00 - The fifth period is underway. Overtime 1 0:00 - We're going to double overtime. 1:20 - Ben Bishop is the reason the Stars are still in this game. Ben Bishop of the @DallasStars is the fifth goaltender to make 50+ saves in a #Game7 since 1955-56. The most in that span is 73, a mark set by Kelly Hrudey in the 1987 Division Semifinals dubbed the “Easter Epic” (w/ NYI). #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/JGrh33Fkeg — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 8, 2019 5:00 - UPDATE: The goalies are standing on their heads. 8:02 - Everyone needs a breather right now. This is bananas. Bish is playing his heart out tonight. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/lyzkkN9Qfy — Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 8, 2019 12:33 - The pace has quickened noticably. 15:55 - The Stars get their second shot of the period, which is more than each of the second or third. All it takes is one. 18:00 - OT has started out like the rest of the periods: With the Stars pinnred in their own zone. 20:00 - It's nailbiting time. Third period 0:00 - The horn sounds and regulation ends with St. Louis holding a 42-17 shot advantage. It doesn't matter, because we're going to overtime. 0:56 - POST! Schwartz zooms around the net and has Binnington beat, but his wraparound attempt hits the outside of the post! That was it right there! Dallas was *thisclose* to ending the series in the final minute. pic.twitter.com/v4sM4DgZhM — Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) May 8, 2019 2:10 - It's pretty much already overtime, and both teams just had a good opportunity to score. Wow. 3:36 - Big save by Bishop! Bozak redirects from in close and the Stars goalie stands tall yet again. 5:15 - The Stars have had two shots over the last 39 minutes of play, and they're on the way to forcing overtime. 8:01 - Still no way through for St. Louis, who are really pouring it on Ben Bishop. 11:08. Bishop makes another save. Blues have outshot the Stars 6-1 in this period so far. 15:10 - It's starting to become a Blues' period again, and again with no end product. 18:31 - Dallas gets a shot on goal early in the period. 20:00 - Here we go, 20 minutes of regulation left. Second period 0:00 - The horn sounds on the most one-sided scoreless period of hockey you're going to see. The Blues outshot the Stars 17-1 in that period, and Ben Bishop is earning his money tonight. 3:17 - It feels like there could be a goal before the period is over. 6:58 - Good penalty kill by the Stars as the Blues were held shotless. How does Monty describe the Stars PK? "Relentless." Another penalty killed by the Stars to keep Game 7 tied at 1-1! #GoStars — Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 8, 2019 8:58 - Another tripping penalty against Dallas means the Blues head back to the power play. 10:02 - Huge block by Steen! 10:53 - We're back to even strength. The Blues registered two shots on that power play. 12:53 - We have our first penalty of the game as Tyler Bozak is tripped by Brett Ritchie and the Blues are headed to the power play. 13:23 - The Stars have yet to register a shot in the second period. That's not great for the visitors. 17:30 - This period hasn't started at the same frenetic pace as the opener. We couldn't expect that to last all game. 20:00 - We're back for the middle period. First period 0:00 - The first period comes to a close, with Dallas outshooting St. Louis 13-10. 4:05 - 🚨 GOAL! 🚨 The Stars even things up as Mats Zuccarello takes advantage of a big bounce off the boards. Blues 1, Stars 1. The Stars swarm Binnington and Zuccarello capitalizes off of a turnover to tie it up. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/WXL5LkZkQA — Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 8, 2019 6:30 - 🚨 GOAL! 🚨 Vince Dunn gets the Blues on the board for the all-important first goal.<doc-sep>DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 05: Head athletic trainer Dave Zeis checks on Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars during the third period of Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 5, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) During a Game 6 loss to the St. Louis Blues, the Dallas Stars became a victim of The National Hockey League’s neglect for player safety – enough is enough. Let it out, DFW – that was a rough 60 minutes of Dallas Stars Hockey. A Sunday-afternoon affair between the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues had the makings of a vengeful contest, one in which Dallas could’ve sent another opponent packing into the oblivion of an NHL offseason. Instead, here we find ourselves. Losing Game 6 by a score of 4-1, the Stars will be heading to St. Louis for an all important, sure-to-be-heart-throbbing Game 7. Upon watching, it was obvious the Blues were the hungrier club – quadrupling your opponent’s score has to account for something. Aside from the overall result, there’s only one problem I have with this loss. People may want to contend he could’ve been flopping, yet I don’t see them lining up to take a 90 mph frozen rubber missile to the collar. Referees of the NHL: in what world should this be concluded an acceptable goal? Forget fandom for a minute – allowing play to continue after watching a goalie writhe in obvious pain, and furthermore letting the opponent legally chip a puck into a now empty net? In a playoff game? You’ve got to be kidding me. As fate would have it, my Twitter inbox quickly became flooded with Blues fans after the game, the majority of which pointing me in the direction of NHL Rule 8.1 as their interpretation for this atrocity: When a player is injured so that he cannot continue play or go to his bench, the play shall not be stopped until the injured player’s team has secured control of the puck. While technically right, being that the Dallas Stars did not establish control of the puck, many people who are clinging to this definition seem to have purposely ignored the following paragraph of said rule, stating that: In the case where it is obvious that a player has sustained a serious injury, the Referee and/or Linesman may stop the play immediately. Essentially, the NHL gives their referees power to blow the whistle or not in situations such as these, leaving it up to the moment-to-moment judgement from the men wearing stripes. While this rule was most likely designed to combat embellishment among players – and rightfully so – the same logic should absolutely not be enforced upon goalies, especially while play is in their own zone. What exactly was Bishop supposed to do here? A powerful slapshot rendered his goaltending abilities useless. What more can a professional athlete do to convey he may be seriously hurt? Although it was later reported that Big Ben is ultimately fine, he had no other way of dealing with his pain on the ice. People may want to contend he could’ve been flopping, yet I don’t see them lining up to take a 90 mph frozen rubber missile to the collar. Bishop’s reaction looked very real – and for Dallas Stars fans – absolutely terrifying. The NHL cannot swallow their whistles in these situations – allowing the St. Louis Blues to pot an empty netter while an opposing goalie is too busy screaming for help should pose as a huge embarrassment to the league. What hope does a team have to evenly contend when their netminder is not even able to physically stand? There’s a reason the rulebook includes goaltender interference as a penalty. There’s a reason teams are allowed to challenge scoring plays for it, too. There’s also a reason why you gain an additional player when pulling your netminder in-game – hockey is not a fair sport without them. Despite a valiant late-first and second period effort, the Dallas Stars lost a meaningful playoff contest. I am not arguing that reversing this ruling would’ve done much to change their Game 6 outcome, even though I must admit it looked as if Dallas lost much of their drive after the injury. I am arguing that Dallas was unjustly scored upon after said injury. Player safety should always come first. Something needs to change, NHL. Want your voice heard? Join the Sports Dallas Fort-Worth team! Write for us! You better believe Dallas will be monitoring your next rulebook discussions closely.<doc-sep>
The NHL refs have had a tough postseason so far, to put it nicely. And now they have an assist. In a Game 7, too. This happened in St. Louis on Tuesday night as the Stars and Blues battled for the right to play the winner of the San Jose/Colorado Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals. St. Louis Blues right winger David Perron tried to pass the puck around the boards to his teammate Joel Edmundson. But the puck never made it there as it hit off the ref’s stake and went right in front of the goal to Dallas’ Mats Zuccarello who quickly evened the game with an easy goal. Here’s how the whole mess went down: There is a lot going on here pic.twitter.com/vOrlULwDPB — Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 8, 2019 Holy bounces, Batman! Fans couldn’t believe it: Hard to say after that play that the refs aren't helping the Stars win . . . #stlblues #ImOnlyKindaKidding pic.twitter.com/B7orBdhWiw — Dan (@Kazuma22) May 8, 2019 I didn't know the refs played for the Stars… — Teacher Nini 💯🎀💫 (@Hi_MsNina) May 8, 2019 Stars should have shown some sportsmanship. Zucc should have picked up the puck and handed it to the ref. It would have been the right thing to do. — Dan Bettlach (@Bettlach101ESPN) May 8, 2019 The ref has to be more aware and agile on Stars goal. That was ECHL level. This has to be his playoff game this season. Hopes it’s not the #stlblues because of him. — Mouse in catspeak (@Meouse) May 8, 2019 Dallas Stars fans can officially STFU about the refs after that goal was gifted to them by the nice kick pass #STLVSDAL #Game7 — Brandon Schiermeier (@Bschier21) May 8, 2019 Sick assist by the the ref centering that for the Stars — Blaine Hrovat (@Blaine_Hrovat_1) May 8, 2019 Refs kicking pucks to the stars now huh #stlblues — BLUES WIN GAME 7 (@_Almost_Nubs_) May 8, 2019 There you goes Stars, quit crying about Ben Bishop goal. You interfere with Bennington and then the ref kicks the puck and you score. Good job. — The Credible Hulk (@Bish9823) May 8, 2019 The ref is a great addition to the Dallas stars #blues — 𝕸𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖎𝖖𝖚𝖊 🦁 (@Molucero9) May 8, 2019 Yeah I think ref #25 should win first star of the game https://t.co/XXFuGzE1OH — Adam Goldmeier (@Adam_Goldy0) May 8, 2019 There’s no better storyline in sports than Stars fans bitching about refs all game every game, then getting a direct assist from one — Jimmy Williams (@JustCraza) May 8, 2019