Looking to take a 3-1 stranglehold in the Western Conference Final over the Edmonton Oilers, the Dallas Stars wasted little time taking control in Game 4 on Wednesday.
Wyatt Johnston scored only 58 seconds into the first period, beating Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak to a loose puck before blasting one past netminder Stuart Skinner to make it 1-0 on the game’s first shot.
For Johnston, it’s his ninth goal of the postseason, which is tied for second in the NHL behind only Oilers forward Zach Hyman (13). Meanwhile, he’s recorded tallies in back-to-back games after going four games without a goal going back to the conference semifinals against the Colorado Avalanche.
The 2021 first-round pick has 15 points, tied for sixth during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Stars’ early offensive onslaught wasn’t over, but they got a little luck this time. Only 4:31 after Johnston’s goal, an Esa Lindell shot going wide deflected off the backside of defenseman Darnell Nurse and into the back Oilers’ cage, giving Dallas a 2-0 advantage just over five minutes into Game 4.
Dallas’ scoring touch might be coming around at the right time.
In Games 1 and 2, the Stars scored five goals. Since then, they’ve beaten Skinner seven times over the last three-and-a-half periods of hockey.
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