Stars clinch again
The Dallas Stars clinched a Stanley Cup playoff berth for the fifth straight season after Sunday’s win over the Vegas Golden Knights — a streak that underscores Dallas’ sustained postseason consistency. The clinch was reported by local and league outlets on March 22. ( )
The Stars’ playoff clinch became official after the Los Angeles Kings fell 4-3 in overtime to the Utah Mammoth on March 22, with Nick Schmaltz scoring the OT winner at 1:46. (apnews.com, nhl.com) Dallas actually lost the March 22 game at American Airlines Center, 3-2, as Reilly Smith scored the go-ahead goal with 3:38 remaining; Vegas outshot Dallas 33-15 and Adin Hill made 13 saves while Casey DeSmith stopped 30 shots for the Stars. (cbssports.com, nhl.com) Wyatt Johnston and Justin Hryckowian supplied Dallas’ goals in that game, with Johnston’s second-period power-play tally marking his 23rd power-play goal of the season and the franchise single-season record since the team moved to Dallas. (cbssports.com) The Stars sit at 43-16-11 for 97 points and occupy second place in the Central Division, five points behind Colorado and five points ahead of Minnesota in the standings. (nhl.com, espn.com) The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin Saturday, April 18, and the Stars’ single-game playoff tickets are set to go on sale Thursday, April 9 with an app presale on Tuesday, April 7 for users with push notifications enabled. (dallasstars.com) This marks the 21st postseason appearance since the franchise relocated to Dallas in 1993-94 and the 38th playoff appearance in franchise history. (dallasstars.com)
