STANLEY CUP FINALS
GAME DAY PREVIEWS
GAME 5:
#1 DALLAS STARS vs #7 BUFFALO SABRES
Series tied 2-2
Game time: Thursday June 17th, 1999 8pm at Dallas
The most competitive Stanley Cup Finals in the last five years returns to the Lone Star state tonight, when the Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres battle in a pivotal Game Five.
Each of the last four finals series have resulted in sweeps. But this series has taken a different course as for the first time in eight years, the Stanley Cup Finals are tied at two games apiece.
The Sabres edged Dallas, 2-1, on Tuesday in Game Four at Buffalo to even the best-of-seven series.
Ironically, the Stars were also involved the last time the Stanley Cup Finals were tied at two games apiece back in 1991. The-then Minnesota North Stars traveled to Pittsburgh and lost Game Five, and then were beaten at home by the Penguins.
"The pressure is now on us to win at home," said Stars center Mike Modano, a member of the 1991 North Stars. "It is time to dig in and get dirty because there is a huge prize on the line."
This series could not be any closer than it has been. Through four games, it has been tied for just over 56 percent of the time, with one team leading by one goal for slightly more than 43 percent. The Stars had a two-goal lead for 26 seconds at the end of Game Two.
Dallas hopes right wing Brett Hull returns after he missed Game Four with a strained groin.
The Stars could also have left wing Benoit Hogue back. He suffered two torn ligaments in his left knee during the conference finals and put off surgery with the hopes of having an opportunity to play in the finals. Hogue skated with the team prior to Game Four, but did not play.
Tuesday's game featured the best goaltending in the series. Dominik Hasek was his stellar self for the Sabres, stopping 30 shots. Ed Belfour, the Dallas netminder, turned in one of his best games of the postseason with 17 saves and prevented the Sabres from dominating the game in the second period, making several acrobatic saves.
In the last two games, the Stars have doubled up the Sabres in shots on goal, outshooting them by a 60-30 margin.
Game Six is back in Buffalo on Saturday.