from Matthew DeFranks of the Dallas Morning News,

The sport’s biggest stage — with the world’s most famous trophy hovering behind the benches as an untouchable temptation and the ultimate motivation — has the unique ability to make heroes out of anyone, to enshrine them into hockey and franchise lore for contributions on the elusive platform the Stanley Cup Final provides.

For decades before the Stars' 4-1 victory over Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night, timely goals led to fabled status. Enter the unlikely trio of heroes on Saturday night: Joel Hanley, Jamie Oleksiak and Joel Kiviranta.

Each of them scored goals in Game 1, puncturing Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy thrice for just the second time in his last 10 games. Their goals made sure Anton Khudobin’s 35-save effort stood up, and gave the Stars a 1-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final. Jason Dickinson added an empty-net goal in the waning minutes of the third period.

Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said “that’s what you need to win in the playoffs.”

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