The Dallas Stars are headed back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

The Dallas Stars beat the Vancouver Canucks in a tight 3-1 win, marking the team's first victory in Vancouver since before the COVID-19 era and extending their current winning streak to a season-high six games. 

Before the game, the Stars and Canucks were in first and second place in the Western Conference, with Dallas only one point ahead of Vancouver.

With the win over the Canucks, the Stars were the fifth team to clinch a playoff berth and the first in the Western Conference. They are also the first team in the Western Conference to reach the 100 point mark, sitting at 101 points with eight games remaining on the schedule.

Dallas has the potential to end the season with 117 points if they collect all 16 remaining points, which would set a new franchise record. The record is currently 114, which was reached during the Stanley Cup winning 1998-99 season. The Stars could also beat their franchise record for most road wins in a season.

The first period started off a bit slow on the Stars end, and for about half the first period, the Stars only had one shot on goal. The game started loosening up for the Stars when Wyatt Johnston was called for goalie interference and Ian Cole was called for interference, resulting in four-on-four play. Soon, Dallas was outshooting the Canucks, and penalty trouble struck again for Vancouver when just after the 17 minute mark, Quinn Hughes found his way to the box for a high-stick on Jamie Benn.

With just a little over a minute left in the period, Roope Hintz potted his 27th goal of the season, snapping his eight-game goalless streak.

The celebrations were briefly put on hold as the Canucks challenged whether there was a missed game stoppage, claiming Jason Robertson played the puck with a high stick prior to the goal. Upon further review, the play was confirmed and Hintz's goal was good. Benn tallied the secondary assist, which notched his 900th career point. 

The Stars went back on the power-play due to the failed coach's challenge, but were unable to capitalize in the remaining seconds of the first period.

The second period was a battle of special teams, as the referees paraded player after player to the penalty box. Not including the remaining time on the failed challenge penalty, five penalties were called during the second period. Three were on Dallas and two on Vancouver, but surprisingly enough, the only goal of the period was an even strength goal from JT Miller off a sick pass from Conor Garland

Going into the third period tied 1-1, both teams pushed hard to come away victorious, knowing that whoever won clinched their playoff spot. 

A late penalty by Teddy Blueger for a high-stick on Wyatt Johnston gave the Stars one more chance on the power-play. At this point, they were only 1/4 but needed to capitalize on the opportunity with overtime looming. About 20 seconds in, Jamie Benn notched his 18th goal of the season, extending his goal scoring streak to six games, tying his longest goal streak from all the way back in 2011. 

With a little over two minutes left, Vancouver pulled their goalie and with some physical grit, Hintz was able to win a puck battle in neutral ice. He got it to Joe Pavelski who also had to battle and delay his pass to Robertson, who go the slam dunk right in front of the empty net. That was Robertson's 27th goal, tying him with Hintz in second on the team. Both of them sit one behind Johnston, who leads the team in his sophomore season. 

The Stars currently sit in first place in the Western Conference and second in the league. In the eight games remaining, there are two big divisional games against the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets, who sit second and third in the Central Division. Dallas is in control of their own fate going into the playoffs if they continue to play the way they have on this six game winning streak.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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