Game 5 – 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final: All Eyes on Stars’ Tyler Seguin

Five days ago, it was reported that Tyler Seguin hadn’t scored a goal in 10 straight postseason games. Not exactly the best time for a top-line player to get cold. However, it was also reported that he believes he was playing better and that was going to be a critical component to watch for the Dallas Stars as the team headed into Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night.

A hot Seguin would be imperative if the Stars were going to keep their playoff hopes alive. A cold Seguin could mean the Tampa Bay Lighting get crowned this season’s champions.

Tyler Seguin hasn't scored in 10 straight games. He has one assist in that span. That seems kind of nuts. But he says he feels he's been playing better of late.

"Looking for that one bounce but good things are happening when you’re getting chances. That’s what you look at."

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) September 21, 2020

At the time, Seguin said he was just waiting for that “one-bounce” kind of luck that might get him out of his funk. From his language, he just seemed to feel unlucky. But he admitted then that he had his chances and he expected good things to happen. At the time he said that he had only a single assist and 25 shots during that 10-game span.

Counting his total production, Seguin’s scored two goals and 10 points in 24 games all postseason. That’s just not enough for the Stars’ star. If the team has any chance of coming back from a 3-1 series deficit, Seguin has to step up.

And, he did step up with two assists on Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. But, he needs to score to make life easier for his teammates and the team. Even after his two assists, the fact is that he hasn’t put one over the goal line during his last 13 games – call that unlucky.

Is Seguin Healthy?

The question is: “Is Seguin completely healthy?” He’s a lot better player than the score sheet would suggest. During the regular season, the veteran center scored 50 points in 69 games. Therefore, his lack of production potentially suggests something else is up.

That the Stars are down by two games and on the verge of elimination can’t be fully charged to Seguin’s lack of offense. In fact, Jamie Benn – who had scored eight goals and 18 points in 21 postseason games prior to the Stars’ series against the Lightning – hasn’t had a single point during three games of the Stanley Cup Final. 

Alexander Radulov hasn’t scored yet in the Stanley Cup Final either. That means the Stars’ big guns are obviously not loaded. As the team prepares for Game 5 tonight, it has to be concerning that the big three aren’t generating offensive.

Dallas Scoring Coming from Other Places

For now, the Dallas scoring is coming from a variety of places. The 20-year-old super defenseman Miro Heiskanen has scored six goals and 19 assists (25 points). 27-year-old John Klingberg in 24 games has four goals, 16 assists, for 20 points. And, 35-year old Joe Pavelski in 25 games has 12 goals, six assists, for 18 points.

Will it be enough? Or, can Seguin get in on the action?

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