The Dallas Stars needed to win on Monday night. Despite the fact that the series was tied after four games, Dallas would have home ice advantage two more times before the series would be over. What the Stars also needed was for their offense to wake up and produce. The fans got to see both as the Stars took a series lead, as well as offensive awakening in Game Five. 

The Stars have been waiting for their offense to wake up since the start of the first round playoff series against the Avalanche. Thus far, Dallas have barely scraped by as both their wins have come in overtime. Besides being unable to win a game in regulation, the Stars have yet to receive production from some of their big guns.

Coming into Game Five, Dallas had yet to receive any offensive help from Wyatt Johnston, Mikko Rantanen, and Mason Marchment. Wyatt Johnston kicked off the scoring in the early going, netting the fastest goal in franchise playoff history. Johnston would also assist on Thomas Harley's goal later in the first period to give the Stars a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission. Former Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen would net his first playoff goal with the Stars early in the second period, with an assist from Roope Hintz on an odd-man rush.  The Avalanche would cut the 3-0 lead down to one after receiving goals from Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon. The Stars would ultimately hold firm and extend their lead after Wyatt Johnston netted his second goal of the game on the power play when Matt Duchene found him alone on the doorstep. This would seal the game, with the Stars taking home a 6-2 victory to give themselves a 3-2 series lead. 

The Stars will not turn their sights towards Game 6 in Colorado and attempt to close the series out, and not risk a potential Game 7. History will be on their side, as 78% of teams who won Game 5 would go on to win the series. Dallas will look to close out the series on Thursday in Colorado.