The Edmonton Oilers, in a stunning reversal of fortune, managed to even the series 2-2 against the Dallas Stars, overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the first 5:29 of Game 4. The Oilers' comeback, marked by five unanswered goals, has breathed new life into the series, which now heads back to Dallas for Game 5 on Friday.
The Oilers' performance in Game 4 was a testament to their resilience and adaptability. Despite a rocky start, the team rallied to control the game, limiting Dallas to 22 shots and scoring a shorthanded goal. The Oilers' goalie, Stuart Skinner, despite appearing shaky at times, made crucial saves to keep Dallas from scoring a third goal.
The Oilers' coach, Kris Knoblauch, also deserves recognition for his strategic roster changes for Game 4. He brought in forwards Corey Perry and Ryan McLeod, along with defenseman Philip Broberg, while benching forwards Sam Carrick and Warren Foegele, and defenseman Vincent Desharnais. These changes paid off, with McLeod scoring Edmonton's first goal, assisted by Perry. The Oilers' line with Leon Draisaitl outshot the Stars 6-1 while on the ice at 5-on-5.
The Stars, on the other hand, seemed to lose their spark after their initial lead. Their lack of aggression and pushback allowed the Oilers to score two goals in 51 seconds, a shorthanded goal by Mattias Janmark and Leon Draisaitl's 10th of the postseason. The Stars' performance in the third period was particularly lackluster, with only one high-danger shot attempt against Stuart Skinner.
Looking ahead to Game 5, the spotlight will be on two key players. Darnell Nurse, the Edmonton defenseman, who despite criticism for his performance in Game 3, bounced back in Game 4 with an assist on McLeod's goal and a physical presence on the ice. For the Stars, Jason Robertson, who went 10 playoff games without a goal before scoring a hat trick in Game 3, will need to step up his game after a lackluster performance in Game 4.
A significant concern for the Stars is the health of defenseman Chris Tanev, who blocked an Evander Kane shot with his right foot and did not return to the game due to a lower-body injury. Tanev, a key acquisition at the trade deadline, has been a critical part of the Stars' defense, leading all players in the postseason with 68 blocked shots. His potential absence in Game 5 could be a significant blow to the Stars' lineup.
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