Sports
Oilers Dominate Game 4 to Take 3-1 Lead Over Stars, One Win Away from Stanley Cup Final
With power-play excellence and stellar goaltending, Edmonton rolls past Dallas 4-1 in Game 4, extending their playoff momentum and closing in on a return to hockey’s biggest stage.
The Edmonton Oilers are just one win away from the Stanley Cup Final after a commanding 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. With the win, the Oilers now lead the series 3-1, having rattled off three straight victories following a Game 1 stumble in Dallas.
Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry each contributed a goal and an assist—both goals coming on the power play—as the Oilers once again punished the Stars with special teams proficiency. Kasperi Kapanen and Adam Henrique sealed the deal with a pair of empty-netters in the third period, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid each tallied two assists in the win.
“This series has had swings,” said Draisaitl postgame. “But we’ve managed it well. The team stayed composed, and Stuart [Skinner] was phenomenal.”
Indeed, Skinner was rock-solid in goal, making 28 saves and repeatedly stifling Dallas’ scoring chances. His performance was key in maintaining Edmonton’s perfect 9-0 record in Game 4s over the past three playoff runs.
The Stars, meanwhile, struggled to match Edmonton’s intensity, especially early. Despite a power-play goal from Jason Robertson to tie the game 1-1 in the second period, Dallas couldn’t recover after another lapse allowed Perry to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead shortly after. It marked Robertson’s second goal in as many games, but it was one of the few bright spots for a Stars team that has now been outscored 13-2 since Game 1.
Nugent-Hopkins’ fourth consecutive multi-point outing put him in elite company—becoming the first player since Wayne Gretzky in 1987 to record nine or more points in the first four games of a conference final. Perry’s goal also made history, making him just the fifth player aged 40 or older to score in a conference final.
Edmonton’s win came with a scare, as Zach Hyman left the game in the first period after taking a big open-ice hit from Mason Marchment. He did not return, and his status remains uncertain.
Dallas now faces elimination and must regroup at home for Game 5. “It’s not over until someone wins four,” said Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. “It’s about one game at a time now.”
But with Edmonton firing on all cylinders—on offense, defense, and in net—the path back will be steep for the Stars.