Back at the beginning of the night, the Stars were unable to get much offense going on a first-period power play, but the penalty kill survived Jamie Benn's double minor for high-sticking Valeri Nichushkin to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes.

The No. 1 adage of any given hockey game, "Anything can happen," also applies to the NHL playoffs. On Thursday night, the Dallas Stars were unfortunately on the losing side of a freak play that could be considered the worst own goal of the NHL season so far.

The game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, is the only one on the schedule Saturday night, May 3. It's a big one, with the winner advancing to the second round and the loser heading home for the summer.