There's Simply No Way The Dallas Stars Were Ever Losing Game 7 With This Weapon Behind The Bench
Josh Lavallee. Getty Images.Pete DeBoer is one of the best coaches still on the hunt for his first Stanley Cup championship. He took the Devils to the Cup Final, he took the Sharks to the Cup Final, he went to the conference final in 3 out of the last 4 seasons with two different teams. Last night he knocked out the reigning Stanley Cup Champs as he looks to get his hands on the Cup for the first time with the Sharks. It was the 8th Game 7 that Pete DeBoer has coached in. And this sick son of a bitch has now won all 8 of them.
Having Pete DeBoer behind your bench in a game 7 is a cheat code. But that's not why the Dallas Stars are moving on to the Western Conference Semifinals to face the Avalanche this week. It's what was behind Pete DeBoer that really got the boys buzzing and gave them that extra edge to hang on to that 2-1 lead.
Game 7's just come down to who wants it more. Both teams are clearly as evenly matched as possible. It's all about who can set the tone with the energy and intensity. And nothing gets that intensity sky rocketing quite like 20 horned up dudes. Vegas was essentially playing 5v6 the whole night.
This kid. 20-years-old and already has 2 game 7 goals in his career. He showed up to Dallas as a boy and he's turning into the man right in front of our very eyes. If you don't think the rocket behind the bench has anything to do with that development, then I don't know what to tell ya.
It's the playoffs, baby. It takes everybody doing their job. From the players, to the coaches, to the equipment managers, to the Zamboni driver, to the fans behind the bench. Everybody has a role they need to execute. And everyone in Dallas executed last night. The Vegas Golden Knights may have been able to be $9M over the salary cap, but there are some things that money can't make up for.