Stars put Mavrik Bourque in lineup for Game 6 against Oilers
A small, but interesting adjustment for a team with their season on the line.
Prior to Game 6 of the Western Conference final, Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer revealed that rookie Mavrik Bourque will draw into the lineup against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.
He will take the place of Ty Dellandrea on the fourth line alongside Sam Steel and Evgenii Dadonov.
Stars coach Pete DeBoer says Mavrik Bourque is in tonight. Ty Dellandrea comes out.
Bourque’s “offensive potential” plays into the decision, the coach says.
It will be Bourque’s Stanley Cup Playoff debut. When speaking to the media, DeBoer pointed out Bourque’s offensive ability as the reason for inserting him into the lineup. The decision makes sense, as Dallas has been limited to three goals over the last two games, both losses to the Oilers.
Sunday will also mark just the second-ever appearance for the Plessisville, Quebec native in the NHL. He made his debut on April 6 against the Chicago Blackhawks, registering two shots in 10:56 of ice time.
The 22-year-old has spent most of the last two seasons with the Stars’ American Hockey League affiliate. After a respectable 47-point rookie season during the 2022-23 campaign, Bourque blew the doors off the AHL, scoring 26 goals and 77 points in 71 games, leading the league in scoring, earning the Les Cunningham Award for the AHL’s most valuable player.
Bourque was key for Texas during the Calder Cup Playoffs, helping the Stars advance to the Central Division Semifinals, leading the team with 11 points in seven postseason games. In 147 career AHL games, Bourque scored 47 goals and 82 assists, including 15 points in 15 playoff games.
Game 6 between the Stars and Oilers is set for 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton.