Oilers Erase Early Deficit, Beat Stars 5-2 in Game 4 – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers stormed back from an early 2-0 deficit to win 5-2 and avoid a 3-1 loss in the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars.
The Oilers got goals from five different players in the win, and Leon Draisaitl hit double digits in goals for the second time in his postseason career. They also continued their penalty kill dominance, and have not allowed a power play goal in eight consecutive playoff games, which is now a franchise record.
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Wyatt Johnston started the scoring in his ninth game of the playoffs as he came in and blocked a wrist shot with just 58 seconds left to give the Stars an early lead. Then less than four minutes later, Esa Lindell doubled his third goal before Ryan McLeod and Evan Bouchard scored in quick succession to tie the game at two.
The Oilers took control in the second with goals from Mattias Janmark and Draisaitl leading 4-2 in the third period. The Stars never got back on top as they made only eight shots and finished the game with 22. Mattias Ekholm added an empty-netter to make it 5-2 and send the series back to Dallas. two games each.
After allowing the first two goals, Stuart Skinner was solid throughout and finished with 20 saves on 22 shots. On the other hand, Jake Oettinger made 24 of 28 stops.
Game notes
Corey Perry set up McLeod's goal to pull the Oilers within one. He is the first player in NHL history (skaters & goaltenders) to dress for at least one game during the round before the Stanley Cup Final with five different franchises (including non-NHL teams).
Bouchard pulled Edmonton even with his sixth goal of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and passed Steve Smith (five in 1990) and Chris Pronger (five in 2006) for the fourth most by an Oilers defenseman in a single playing year.
Draisaitl (10-16—26 in 16 GP) recorded his 10th goal of the postseason and the Oilers' fourth straight in Game 4. He joined Brayden Point (2020-2021), Jake Guentzel (2017-2018) , Nikita Kucherov (2014-2015) and Evgeni Malkin (2008-2009) as the fifth active player with 10 or more points in consecutive playoff years.
Connor McDavid (0-2—2) recorded his 22nd game in assists and moved past Jari Kurri and Glenn Anderson for third in Oilers history. Wayne Gretzky (52 GP) and Mark Messier (33 GP) top the list.
The two teams will meet again in Game 5 in Dallas on Friday, May 31.
Game notes courtesy of the NHL Media site
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