In a thrilling Western Conference semifinal matchup, the Dallas Stars roared back to form with an impressive 6-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken in Game 4.
The win not only evened the series but showcased the Stars’ resilience and offensive prowess. Joe Pavelski once again led the charge with his sixth goal of the series, solidifying his status as a crucial playmaker for Dallas.
Stars Rebound from Blowout Loss in Game 3
After suffering a demoralizing 7-2 defeat in Game 3, the Stars were determined to avoid back-to-back disappointments.
Max Domi and Miro Heiskanen expressed unwavering confidence in their team’s ability to rebound, and their words were backed up by a stellar performance in Game 4.
Four-Goal Second Period Powers Stars to Victory
The Stars unleashed an offensive onslaught in the second period, netting four goals to take control of the game. Pavelski’s power-play goal came after Seattle challenged a goaltender interference call on Domi’s goal.
The challenge failed, and Pavelski capitalized on the ensuing power play, extending Dallas’ lead to 4-0.
Harley and Hintz Contribute to Scoring Spree
Defenseman Thomas Harley stepped up in a big way for the Stars, scoring his first goal of the playoffs. It was a memorable moment for Harley, who had only recorded one career goal in the regular season. Roope Hintz also made his presence felt, adding to Dallas’ scoring spree with his sixth playoff goal.
Seattle’s Schwartz and Larsson’s Efforts Fall Short
Despite a valiant effort from Jaden Schwartz, who scored two goals, and Adam Larsson, who contributed one, the Kraken couldn’t overcome the Stars’ dominant performance.
Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger made several crucial saves, while Seattle’s Philipp Grubauer struggled, leading to his replacement by Martin Jones in the third period.
Heiskanen Returns to Strengthen Stars’ Defense
The return of Miro Heiskanen provided a significant boost to the Stars’ defensive lineup. Heiskanen had suffered a facial injury in Game 3 but showed resilience by returning to the ice and contributing two assists in Game 4. His presence bolstered Dallas’ defensive efforts and added stability to the team.
McCann Returns for Seattle
Jared McCann’s return to the Kraken lineup after missing six playoff games due to injury was anticipated, but his impact was limited. McCann played 13:11 minutes but wasn’t able to make a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
Injury Woes for Both Teams
Injuries continued to plague both teams in Game 4. Dallas’ Mason Marchment was shaken up early in the first period and only managed to play three shifts. Additionally, Jani Hakanpää and Ty Dellandrea were sidelined for the Stars due to lower-body injury and illness, respectively. On the Seattle side, Daniel Sprong remained out with an upper-body injury suffered in Game 3.
With the series now tied at 2-2, the momentum has swung back to the Stars, who will look to carry their impressive performance into Game 5. The Dallas faithful will undoubtedly be buzzing with excitement as the series returns to their home ice on Thursday night, ready to witness another intense battle in this Western Conference semifinal showdown.
