Well, that “U.S. backup” has Dallas on the verge of its third consecutive trip to the Western Conference Final. Oettinger mostly has outplayed Hellebuyck throughout these NHL playoffs and in the second-round Western Conference series that the Stars lead 3-1 over the top-seeded Jets.

The Edmonton Oilers are waiting for the winners of the Dallas Stars — Winnipeg Jets series in the Western Conference Finals. The Stars are one victory away from

When all-star winger Mikko Rantanen was traded early this season, it reordered the league. When he was traded again, it shook up the entire postseason.

The Oilers, who last season made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before losing in seven games to Florida, will play Dallas or Winnipeg in the next round. The Stars, who lead 3-1, will go for the series win Thursday night.

The Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars are each one win away from winning their second-round series and moving on to the conference finals.

Dallas has found ways to not only survive, but thrive while shorthanded against some of the NHL’s best power plays, and it’s creating a surge of momentum

Mikael Granlund’s first career postseason hat trick accounted for all the goals for the Stars in their 3-1 win that put them up 3-1 in their second-round Western Conference series against the top-seeded Jets.