The key for the Stars is Connor Hellebuyck, almost certain to win his third Vezina Trophy in six years, continuing to play poorly on the road. He wasn’t good in any of the three games at St. Louis. The Blues won them all but could not win a single game in Manitoba.

The Dallas Stars are in familiar territory. After a hard-fought opening round series, head coach Pete DeBoer concocted another Game 7 victory against Colorado, setting the stage for Dallas to face the West’s top team, Winnipeg, in the second round.