When the Stars’ defensive shell cracked and buckled, Ben Bishop provided an ironclad, 6’7” bomb shelter for his teammates to take cover in for 85-plus minutes. But, after 54 shots on net and at least another 40 errant shots later, Pat Maroon broke Bishop’s barrier and scored in double overtime to win 2–1 and to send the Blues to the Western Conference Final. Two nights after staving off playoff elimination, the Blues struck first when defenseman Vince Dunn wristed a point shot through traffic and over Bishop’s right shoulder. But, less than three minutes later, Mats Zuccarello found a half-open net when David Perron pinballed the puck off his own boards, the ref and the net, and the Stars’ deadline acquisition proceeded to bury his first goal of the series. The Stars had stifled the Blues on the man advantage in the series’ first six games and that didn’t change in the second period. Dallas surrendered one shot across two power plays as its forwards contained St. Louis’s blue line, improving its series penalty kill to 91.7%. Beyond that, though, Bishop was forced to fend off 17 shots in the period while the Stars offense waned and managed one shot. Their offense continued to languish in the third period against the Blues’ hounding forecheck. St. Louis sent bodies, shots and everything else but goals by Bishop, who turned away another 13 shots. Dallas gained life in a seconds-long burst when center Roope Hintz rocketed through the neutral zone and sent a wraparound attempt trickling through the crease. The Blues evaded disaster and iced the puck, and they ended the period with nothing to show for a +24 shot differential and enough offensive zone possession time for two games. Bishop and Jordan Binnington traded saves and scares, and the Stars finally mounted sustained pressure in overtime. The counterattack was short lived: Less than six seconds into double overtime, Robert Thomas hit the post and Maroon glided toward the crease to nail the rebound into the back of the net. Maroon joined Brock McGinn and Barclay Goodrow as players to score an overtime Game 7 goal this postseason. Sitting with a league-worst 34 points on Jan. 2, the St. Louis Blues had already fired Mike Yeo in late November and looked like the NHL’s most disappointing and underachieving team. The talent that piloted the Blues to the Western Conference Final existed in large part then. Vladimir Tarasenko was over eight months removed from offseason shoulder surgery. Ryan O’Reilly was averaging nearly a point per game and Alex Pietrangelo still manned the blue line. But it wasn’t enough. What changed? Craig Berube called on Binnington, the rookie who ignited into the league’s hottest goalie and everything else magically fell into place. Tarasenko finished the season with 46 points in his final 39 games, Brayden Schenn flourished alongside him, the defense was revitalized and the Blues finished with the second-most points of any team since the All-Star break. Now, they’re the first team in the Western Conference Final and await the winner of Wednesday night’s matchup between the Avalanche and Sharks. The Stars, meanwhile, have the offseason to fortify their team and supplement their offense while their core stays intact and under contract. First-year head coach Jim Montgomery firmly rooted the team’s identity in staunch defensive play throughout the regular season. Yes, Rasmus Dahlin was the prized possession of the 2019 NHL draft, but Miro Heiskanen quietly became one of Dallas’s top defensemen and made the All-Star Game as a 19-year-old. The Finn’s emergence bolstered a blue line already comprised of John Klingberg, Esa Lindell and Roman Polak. Now, as Jason Spezza’s $7.5 million cap hit comes off the books, the Stars have a chance to improve on a team that already features Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Klingberg, Heiskanen and Bishop.<doc-sep>Jeff Roberson/Associated Press Three of the four spots have been secured for the conference finals of the NHL playoffs, and the last will be decided Wednesday night. The St. Louis Blues clinched their place in the Western Conference finals with a double-overtime Game 7 victory at home against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. The Blues were down 3-2 in the series before rallying to win Games 6 and 7 to advance. After Wednesday's Game 7 between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche, which will decide the second team to reach the Western Conference finals, the next round will begin with a Game 1 matchup between the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday. Updated NHL Playoff Bracket Eastern Conference Finals Video Play Button Videos you might like Boston vs. Carolina Western Conference Finals St. Louis vs. Winner of San Jose-Colorado Game 7 Prediction Jack Dempsey/Associated Press The second round will conclude with a Game 7 matchup between the Sharks and Avalanche in San Jose at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday night. San Jose had a chance to put this series away in Game 6 on Monday, but Colorado forced a Game 7 with an overtime victory at home. The two teams have alternated wins in this series, beginning with the Sharks' victory in Game 1, meaning the Avalanche have never led. After notching a seven-game series victory against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round, the Sharks will outlast another opponent to move on to the Western Conference finals for the second time in four years. "The team that wins has taken a little bit of a breath and the team that has lost the previous game digs in with a heightened desperation level for the next game, and that small margin has probably been the difference in just about every game," San Jose head coach Peter DeBoer said, according to NHL.com's Tim Campbell. "The beauty of Game 7 is that I don't think either of us are going to be taking a breath because we all know what's at stake." Conference Finals Predictions Whether the Sharks or Avalanche advance to the Western Conference finals, it's not going to matter. That team is going to lose to the Blues, who won a six-game series over the Winnipeg Jets in the first round and a seven-game second-round series against the Stars. "I can't really describe the feeling," Blues center Robert Thomas said after their Game 7 win over the Stars, according to NHL.com's Louie Korac. "That's kind of been the story of the season. When our backs are against the wall, we play our best and find a way to fight through it." St. Louis has proved it can win away from home ice, going 5-1 in road games this postseason. That's going to be valuable in the Western Conference finals as it will secure its spot in its first Stanley Cup Final since 1970. As for the Eastern Conference finals, which begin with Game 1 on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, it could be tough for the Bruins to outlast the Hurricanes, who have been one of the surprise teams of the postseason. Carolina beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in a seven-game series in the first round, then swept the New York Islanders to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2009, which was also its last playoff appearance. The Bruins should play a more competitive series than the Islanders did against the Hurricanes. However, expect Carolina to pull off another upset by winning a series that should go six or seven games. "We have to play a certain way and it kind of doesn't really matter about the opponent," Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said, according to NHL.com's Kurt Dusterberg. "If we're not doing what we do, we have no chance. So that has to be the first step. You need to know what the other team is doing to give yourself the best chance to succeed. The balance is trying to figure out how much of one vs. the other when you only have so much time and attention."<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top F1 stories again We’re getting closer to knowing which two teams will battle it out for the NBA title this season, but first is the Conference Finals. Both Conference Finals went to a Game 7 last year and both series will be just as tough to call this time around. The Warriors are there once again and are strong favourites to go on and win a third consecutive title, but they will likely be without Kevin Durant. The Bucks are the favourites in the East, but could be given a tough match-up.<doc-sep>Another timely call gave the San Jose Sharks the advantage, and they're headed to the Western Conference Final. NHL Playoff 2019 Roundup: San Jose Sharks advance to Western Conference Final originally appeared on nbcsportswashington.com Game 7 between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars required double overtime to determine a winner. Game 7 between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche involved another controversial call, propelling the Sharks to the Western Conference Final. Here is Wednesday's result: Sharks win 3-2 to advance to Western Conference Final The Sharks are headed to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2016, when they made it to the Stanley Cup Final. Joe Pavelski, who returned from an injury he suffered in the first round against the Vegas Golden Knights, scored the first goal of the game off a deflection. Pavelski now has five points in Game 7s and is 5-2 all-time in those contests. #SJSharks Joe Pavelski improves to 5-2 all-time in playoff Game 7's, recording 5 points in those games (3 G, 2 A). pic.twitter.com/b8Pmcc7pIZ — Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 9, 2019 Tomas Hertl added to the lead with a quick shot from the slot. The Avalanche did not go quietly. With six seconds left in the first period, Mikko Rantanen tipped in a Sam Girard point shot to bring the Avs within one. Rantanen is the third youngest player in Avalanche history to score a goal in a Game 7. Story continues MIKKO RANTANEN WE SAID MIKKO RANTANEN#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NjeifU3inY — Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 9, 2019 In the second period, it looked like the Avalanche tied the game when Colin Wilson put a shot past Martin Jones. However, San Jose challenged for offsides, and the goal was overturned. NHL has now sent out ruling that disallowed Wilson goal. pic.twitter.com/XhlZtR0ZZN — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 9, 2019 Joonas Donskoi brought the Sharks lead back to two with a wraparound goal, his first goal since January 10. He's the fourth NHL player since the 1997-98 season to score a game-winning goal in Game 7 in under eight minutes of ice time. The Avs battled back again with Tyson Jost's goal. He scored a goal in three consecutive games against the Sharks. But the Sharks came away with the victory and will have home ice advantage when they play the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final. With the win, Martin Jones has won the three consecutive Game 7s. Ahead of him for most consecutive Game 7 wins are Jonathan Quick, Cam Ward and Ed Belfour with four. Standing strong to keep the @SanJoseSharks ahead 3-2 in the 3rd period Wednesday, Martin Jones has won each of his first 3 career Game 7s as only 3 goalies sit ahead of him on this list pic.twitter.com/MK46IgnlSi — StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) May 9, 2019 MORE CAPITALS NEWS:<doc-sep>
ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 7: Pat Maroon #7 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Enterprise Center on May 7, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) After a pulse pounding Game 7 double OT between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars, hometown hero Patrick Maroon sent the Blues to the Western Conference Final. Remember those times as a kid when you would dream about being the hero for your local team?St. Louis Blues forward Patrick Maroon did the same thing as everybody else when he was younger, dreaming of playing for his hometown St. Louis Blues and eventually being the hero. This summer, Maroon got his chance to live out a dream when he signed a one-year contract with the Blues In double overtime of Game 7 in the Blues second round series against the Dallas Stars, Maroon had the culmination of a childhood dream fall right in front of him, and the result was sweeter was then he ever could’ve imagined. Maroon potted the overtime winner at 5:50 of the second overtime of a rebound of a Robert Thomas shot to send the Blues to their second Western Conference Final in the last four years, and their third conference final since 2000. For Maroon, the moment he’ll likely never forget is trying to find his 10-year-old son Anthony in the crowd, and seeing his son crying at seeing his dad score the overtime winner for his hometown team. Patrick Maroon's son after his father scored the OT winner. I'm not crying, you are. pic.twitter.com/wf8zE8aHv0 — Leah Kessel (@leahflame) May 8, 2019 At the other end, St. Louis native Ben Bishop gave everything he had for the Dallas Stars, making an astounding 52 saves on 54 shots, but it was ultimately was not enough to disappoint his childhood team. The Stars surprising playoff run ends with them going out on their shied, and there’s plenty to be proud of for a team that wasn’t given a chance to make any kind of noise when the season began. With their double overtime win, the Blues will await the winner of the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche Game 7 on Wednesday night. Because of the Eastern Conference Final starting on Thursday, Game 1 of the Western Conference Final will likely take place on Friday. If the Sharks win Game 7, the Blues will start on the road. If the Avalanche win, the Blues will host the Conference Final. The Blues will have an ax to grind with whomever their opponent is. In their last Conference Final appearance in 2016, the Blues were eliminated in six games by the Sharks, ending their longest playoff run since 1970. Last season, the Avalanche defeated the Blues in a win or go home game 82 to get into the playoffs, ending the Blues season before the playoff even began. Either way, the Blues will look to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1970 and eventually win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Considering the Blues were in dead last in the NHL on Jan. 3, the fact that they are even in the playoffs is remarkable, and now they’re halfway to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.