Stars beat Blues 2-1 in shootout after clinching No. 1 seed in Western Conference playoffs

DALLAS (AP) — Jake Oettinger made 26 saves in regulation and overtime before stopping all three attempts in the shootout as the Central Division champion Dallas Stars beat the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in their regular-season finale Wednesday night.

When they earned one point by getting to overtime, the Stars clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They ended up with two points thanks to Oettinger and Jason Robertson, who scored with a nifty backhand on the first shot of the shootout, which held up for the victory.

“It was a good test for us, kind of getting us ready for the playoffs,” Robertson said.

The last time Dallas was the top seed in the West was 2016, also the year of its previous Central Division title. The Stars (52-21-9) finished with 113 points, the most since their franchise-record 114 in 1998-99 on the way to winning their only Stanley Cup title. They were one win shy of the record 53 set in 2005-06.

Fans cheered in the closing seconds of regulation knowing Dallas had already secured the No. 1 seed and home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. Pacific Division champion Vancouver has one game left, but can only reach 111 points with a win Thursday.

“That’s great. We want to have home ice as much as we can,” said Oettinger, who allowed two goals or fewer for the 10th time in his last 11 games. “Now the real fun starts.”

The Stars will play either reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas (98 points) or the Los Angeles Kings (97 points) in the first round of the playoffs. Both have home games Thursday night to finish the regular season. One of them will finish third in the Pacific Division and the other will be a wild card headed to Dallas, where the Golden Knights last season wrapped up the Western Conference Final with a Game 6 victory.

St. Louis (43-33-6) had already been eliminated from playoff contention and finished ninth in the Western Conference with 92 points. That put the Blues five points behind the Kings for the final playoff spot.

Blues goalie Jordan Binnington made 36 saves. The only goal he gave up in regulation and overtime was Mason Marchment’s 22nd with 14:49 left in the third period on a sweeping turnaround shot just outside the crease.

“We showed that we can compete with the best, for sure, and hopefully that sends a message to evolve the team to make some decisions that are for the better and for us to be more competitive next year," Binnington said. "It’s unfortunate to not make the playoffs, but it’s a good final game and we have more. There are better days ahead.”

Oettinger made an incredible diving save with his skates off the ice while the Blues were on a power play in the first period. He was screened while outside the crease to the left of the net when Robert Thomas made a pass from that side to defenseman Scott Perunovich above the circles. Thomas took a wicked shot, and Oettinger lunged across the front of the net and was in the air when he knocked down the puck with his glove.

The penalty that led to that power play was a tripping call against Dallas forward Evgenii Dadonov, playing for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury on Feb. 13 that caused him to miss 29 games.

Thomas scored from the left of Oettinger with 2:41 left in the second period. His 26th goal came on a shot from the middle of the circle over Oettinger's right shoulder into the top corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

UP NEXT

St. Louis goes into another long offseason. It is the first time since 2011 that the Blues missed the playoffs in back-to-back years.

Dallas waits to see who and when it plays at home in the first two games of the playoffs.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) looks to take control of the puck in front of St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) deflects a shot with his arm pad under pressure from Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

The Dallas Stars celebrate after the team's 2-1 win in a shootout against the St. Louis Blues in an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Fans cheer after the Dallas Stars won in a shootout during an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. With the win the Stars clinched the top seed in the Western Conference. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) and St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) compete for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

St. Louis Blues' Brayden Schenn (10) and Robert Thomas (18) celebrate after Thomas scored against the Dallas Stars during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) blocks a shot by Dallas Stars' Jason Robertson (21) as Blues' Tyler Tucker (75) and Marco Scandella (6) help defend on the play during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) blocks a shot from Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) as Colton Parayko (55) and Nick Leddy help defend on the play in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Stars right wing Evgenii Dadonov skates to the penalty box after being issued a penalty for tripping in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The game was Dadonov's first since returning from injury. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger makes a diving save during a St. Louis Blues power play as the Stars' Esa Lindell looks on in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points, Evan Mobley blocked Franz Wagner's layup in the final seconds and the Cleveland Cavaliers survived a scare from Orlando, holding off Paolo Banchero and the Magic 104-103 in Game 5 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference series.

The Cavs, who were embarrassed by the Magic while dropping two games in Orlando last week, regrouped inside roaring Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

It took everything they had.

After Mitchell missed a jumper with 15.7 seconds left, Wagner drove the left side for a potential game-tying layup but was denied at the rim with 6 seconds left by Mobley, who smacked the ball off the backboard.

Mitchell was fouled and made two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining to make 104-100. There wasn't enough time for the Magic, who got a 3-pointer in the final second from Banchero, giving him 39 points.

Playing in just his fifth postseason game, the 21-year-old Banchero looked like a savvy veteran. He scored 16 points in the fourth and finished 14 of 24 from the field (4 of 7 on 3s) and added eight rebounds.

Missing starting center Jarrett Allen with a bruised rib, Cleveland got a big lift from Max Strus, who scored 16 in his best game in the back-and-forth series. Mobley added 14 points and 13 rebounds and reserve Marcus Morris Sr. gave Cleveland toughness and 12 points.

The Cavs, who spent the season trying put last year’s first-round flameout against New York behind them, can advance with a win in Game 6 on Friday in Orlando.

The Magic need a win to salvage their breakthrough season and force a Game 7 in Cleveland on Sunday. Orlando went 29-12 in the regular season at home and are coming off decisive wins at Kia Center.

Mitchell, who has been slowed by a left knee injury, scored 14 in the fourth — going 9 of 10 at the line.

With Banchero leading the way, the Magic, who trailed 2-0 before twice winning big at home, stared down the Cavs and a hostile, towel-waving Cleveland crowd and were poised to pull off their first playoff road win since 2019 at Toronto.

But Mitchell, Garland and Mobley wouldn’t be denied and the Cavs, who are 16-0 when leading 2-0 in a series, took care of business at home for the third time.

The Cavaliers were short-handed as Allen, who has arguably been their best player in this back-and-forth series, sat out with what the team said was a bruised rib.

Allen, who is averaging 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds, took an elbow to the ribs in the second half of Game 4 on Saturday. He practiced Monday but was added to the injury report before being ruled out.

With Allen out, coach J.B. Bickerstaff went with a smaller first five and started Isaac Okoro.

Bickerstaff has been criticized for a lack of adjustments. But he also went deeper into his bench right away, bringing in guard Sam Merrill and both Tristan Thompson and Morris, who had only played garbage time in the Orlando blowouts.

Garland played with more aggression and erupted for 17 points in the first quarter — more than he scored in any game in the series. He made two 3-pointers and Caris LeVert added another as the Cavs scored nine points in the final 1:04 to take a 10-point lead after one.

But the Magic outscored the Cavs 24-15 in the second quarter to pull within one at half.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley blocks a shot by Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) passes against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell celebrates after making a three point basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots against Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) shoots against Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley dunks against the Orlando Magic during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) rebounds against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) plays against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) controls a rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) shoots against Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) shoots against Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots against the Orlando Magic during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)