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Joel Kiviranta, Jamie Oleksiak, Joel Hanley are unlikely Stanley Cup Stars

Dallas has taken an all-hands-on-deck approach to scoring goals, and it’s led to some unlikely sources.
 
Dallas Stars defenseman Joel Hanley (39) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with teammates on the bench during the first period of Game 1.
Dallas Stars defenseman Joel Hanley (39) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with teammates on the bench during the first period of Game 1. [ JASON FRANSON | AP ]
Published Sept. 20, 2020|Updated Sept. 20, 2020

EDMONTON — If you took names like Joel Kiviranta, Jamie Oleksiak and Joel Hanley in your annual playoff pool this year — you’re likely going to take home all the money.

There is always an unlikely playoff hero that emerges for a team every playoff run to the Cup — but the Stars have had an unlikely duo in Kiviranta and Oleksiak, who’ve stepped into the spotlight in these playoffs. Dallas could add a third member in Hanley after its 4-1 win over the Lightning in Game 1 on Saturday.

“That’s how you win in the playoffs, getting contributions from guys that you’re not really looking at for offense and all of a sudden they step up and make big plays,” said Stars head coach Rick Bowness.

While the Stars were stingy in giving up the second-least amount of goals this season, they were starving for goals, as they ranked 29th in goals scored with just 178 this year.

In the playoffs, the team has taken an all-hands-on-deck approach to scoring goals and it’s led to some unlikely sources elevating their game into starring roles.

Oleksiak, who scored three goals all year long, has five goals in the playoffs and scored the game-winner against the Lightning in Game 1.

Kiviranta scored just 12 goals in the AHL this year and just one with Dallas in the regular season, but his second-period goal gave the Stars some cushion, and it was his fifth of the playoffs.

Hanley, a five-year pro with 46 games of NHL experience, scored his first-ever NHL goal in Game 1 of the Cup final.

“It’s obviously something you dream about when you’re young, but it’s cool just to be able to contribute with a goal like that. I’m so grateful for it to be in the finals, too,” said Hanley, who went 17 months before scoring his last professional goal.

Kiviranta has been an absolute surprise in the playoffs for the Stars. The 23-year-old’s five goals in the postseason have been nothing but clutch.

He had a hat trick in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, including the OT winner, against the Colorado Avalanche. He scored the game-tying goal in the final minutes of the third period of Game 5 to send it to overtime, leading to Dallas scoring the winner to clinch the series.

“That’s how he plays. He’s fearless. As inexperienced as he is playing in our league, he’s one of our best forwards at making plays off the boards. He shows a lot of poise and confidence with the puck,” said Bowness. “He’s very reliable defensively, and he’s very confident with the puck and he’s a great competitor. He’s been a huge help to us, and if I was any smarter of a coach, I would’ve had him playing with us earlier than this.”

Oleksiak got into just four playoff games last year with the Stars, but he’s been a big part of their playoff run this year.

It was an eventful Game 1 for Oleksiak as he took a roughing penalty after mixing it up with Patrick Maroon in the first period and lost a tooth after being on the receiving end of a hit in the second period. But the pain was likely forgotten after he gave his team the lead for good.

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“It happened in the second. ... I went in the corner to make a hit and got a counter-hit and ate a little bit of an elbow there. It’s part of the game,” said Oleksiak.

While young phenom Miro Heiskanen and veteran John Klingberg get loads of attention for their offensive production, Oleksiak is known more as a stay-at-home defenseman. But he’s shown in these playoffs he can be a force at both ends of the ice.

“This playoffs, we’re getting the D involved a bit more. The opportunities have come my way, and I’ve been able to put a couple in,” said Oleksiak. “I think it’s just a product of our good team play and our system. It’s nice to contribute in that way.”

Dallas went into its training camp in July and focused on getting its defense involved more, and it’s paid off immensely. Now, its 15 goals from defensemen are more than any team in the playoffs.

“The first three days of camp we focused on making our defense be a lot more involved in the play, not only with the rush, but the offensive zone and getting more shots from them,” said Bowness. “In this league today, your D has to be a big part of your offense. You need that fourth guy on the rush ... and that’s something we put a lot of focus on.”