The Dallas Stars are making a notable change ahead of Game 6 in the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. Head coach Peter DeBoer announced that rookie Mavrik Bourque will be in the lineup for the crucial game on Sunday night. Bourque will replace Ty Dellandrea on the fourth line, joining Sam Steel and Evgenii Dadonov.
This game will be Bourque’s Stanley Cup Playoff debut. DeBoer emphasized Bourque’s offensive skills as the key reason for his inclusion, a logical move given the Stars’ struggle to score, managing only three goals in their last two games, both losses to the Oilers.
Bourque, a native of Plessisville, Quebec, will make just his second NHL appearance. He first played in the league on April 6 against the Chicago Blackhawks, where he logged two shots in nearly 11 minutes of ice time. The 22-year-old has primarily played with the Stars’ AHL affiliate over the past two seasons. After a solid rookie season with 47 points in 2022-23, Bourque excelled in the AHL, scoring 26 goals and amassing 77 points in 71 games. His performance earned him the Les Cunningham Award for the league’s most valuable player.
In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Bourque was instrumental in Texas’ advance to the Central Division Semifinals, leading the team with 11 points in seven games. Over his AHL career, Bourque has tallied 47 goals and 82 assists in 147 games, including 15 points in 15 playoff games.
Game 6 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton, a must-win for the Stars who are trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Meanwhile, back in Dallas, fans will gather at the American Airlines Center for a watch party. The event, hosted by the Dallas Stars, will feature the game broadcast on the Jumbotron and real-time projections of the action. The Dallas Stars Ice Girls will be present, and there will be various giveaways during the game.
Tickets for the watch party can be obtained with a $10 donation to the Stars Foundation, available for purchase online. Parking at the Lexus Garage on N Houston Street is free for attendees. The game, which begins at 7 p.m. local time, offers a chance for fans to support their team together, even from afar.
The Stars face a pivotal moment in their season, needing a win to stay alive in the Western Conference Final against a strong Oilers team. The inclusion of Bourque is a strategic move by DeBoer, aiming to boost the team’s offensive output and keep their playoff hopes alive. Fans, both in Edmonton and Dallas, will be eagerly watching to see if this change can help the Stars turn the tide in their favor.
