American Hockey League MVP Mavrik Bourque will draw into the lineup for the Dallas Stars on Sunday when they visit the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Western Conference final.
Coach Pete DeBoer told reporters Sunday morning that Bourque will make his NHL playoff debut in place of fellow forward Ty Dellandrea.
The Stars are bidding to stave off elimination. The Oilers hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, with Game 7 (if necessary) to be played Tuesday in Dallas.
Bourque, 22, made his NHL debut on April 6, recording two shots on goal without a point in 10:56 of ice time in the Stars’ 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He had 77 points (26 goals, 51 assists) in 71 games this season for the Texas Stars.
Dellandrea, 23, has one goal for his lone point in six playoff games. He had nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 42 games during the regular season.
The Stars selected Bourque 30th overall in the 2020 NHL draft.