We are headed back to Dallas, with the series tied at two. The Edmonton Oilers had a strong effort on home ice in Game 4 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Finals versus the Dallas Stars coming out on top by a score of 5-2. For those who haven’t been with us, we at Last Word have been breaking down all the playoff series this season, so let’s continue the fun. Here we present the mid-series recap, tied at 2-2, between the Stars and Oilers. With the series down to a best-of-three, and the Stars having the home ice edge, they are also still the favourites to win (-120) the series.
The Oilers and Stars Conference Finals Series Is Tied 2-2
As they say, a two-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey. Just as the Stars did in Game 3, overcoming a 2-0 first period deficit, the Oilers were able to battle back in Game 4. It really feels as though Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch has a true grasp of the pulse of this series. With Roope Hintz coming back into the Stars lineup for Game 3, and reigniting star Jason Robertson, who scored a hat trick, the Oilers needed a reply. Hence, Knoblauch had plenty of lineup changes for the Oilers in Game 4. Ryan McLeod, Corey Perry, and Philip Broberg each got the call for the game. McLeod and Perry suited up a line with Leon Draisaitl. Meanwhile with Broberg in, Brett Kulak shifted to the right-side to play with Darnell Nurse. Therefore, Broberg and Cody Ceci could man the third pairing and play their natural sides.
Game 4 Was a Flip of Game 3
The way the game started, it looked like a repeat of Dallas’ strong second period from Game 3. Their defence have been applying a strategy of simply flipping the puck into the neutral zone, and a winger leaving a little early. And it worked in Game 4. Just 58 seconds in, Jamie Benn flipped the puck up to Wyatt Johnston, who goes in and scores. Furthermore, Kulak, playing on the right side, was the one that got burnt on the play. It wasn’t looking good for the Oilers early on. Moreover, when Connor McDavid went in on a net drive at around the 12 minute mark, it was only the Oilers second shot on net. That was similar to Game 3, when the Oilers went over 16 minutes to the end the first period and continue through the second without a shot on goal.
In any sense, in this vital Game 4 at home for the Oilers versus the Stars, the lineup changes seemed to work eventually. On the Oilers first goal of the game, Darnell Nurse did a great job of stepping up. The puck came to McLeod who fired home his first in 30 games going back to the regular season. Then the Oilers were off and running. McDavid would end up with his eighth multi-point game of the playoffs and take over the lead in playoff scoring. In addition, the game-winning goal was the Oilers first shorthanded goal of the playoffs by Mattias Janmark. On that goal, Connor Brown, who’s provided an injection to the Oilers lineup since coming in during the Vancouver series, now has points in three straight.
The Edmonton Oilers Western Conference Game 1 Ends with Memorable Goal
The Connor McDavid Show Must Go On
On the big picture, Connor McDavid continues to drive the Oilers offence. His offence is imperative to the team’s overall success. In Game 1, McDavid had a goal and an assist, with the goal being the all important winner early in the second period of overtime. Then, in Game 2, McDavid was held pointless, and the Stars won 3-1. Also, in Game 3, with the Oilers up 2-0, at home, and looking fine, McDavid already had a goal and an assist. It seems given his dominance, and we can add Draisaitl too, that the Oilers need the pair to be scoring. Conversely, they do with such regularity, it is rarely even a problem for them.
One player with well documented struggles for the Oilers this post-season has been Darnell Nurse. Heading into Game 4, Nurse hadn’t been a plus in any game, since the third game of the Oilers first round series versus the Los Angeles Kings. That was why Knoblauch’s decision to switch up the defence pairing looks so good now with the Oilers coming away with the Game 4 victory, thus evening up the series. Prior to Game 4, Knoblauch had been getting some flack for sitting Vincent Desharnais. Desharnais has played well, and is arguably the club’s top penalty killer, on a penalty kill that is leading the NHL playoffs. Conversely, he does get caught flat footed at times, and why the decision to bring in the more mobile Broberg. Fortunately the decision worked out for the Oilers. It will be something to watch what Knoblauch does to tinker the lineup going forward.
What the Stars Need to Do to Regain an Edge in Series vs Oilers
For the Dallas Stars, they need to figure out how to consistently be able to generate chances. There has been stretches where they’ve been the more dominant of the two teams, but too often they have been just sitting back and watching. Their gameplan of flipping the puck up to their wingers blowing the o-zone, had been working. However, it was not enough to secure the Game 4 victory. Also, the Oilers defence have strong active sticks. They are usually able to swat the puck back where it comes from, and keep it out of dangerous areas.
If the Stars are to get back in control of this series, their best players need to be just that, stars. We saw Roope Hintz inspiring Jason Robertson in Game 3, but that wasn’t so obvious for Game 4. Will Head Coach Pete DeBoer be able to utilize the last line changes to get the matchups he wants as the series shifts back to Texas for Game 5?
Chris Tanev has gone to the Stars dressing room after blocking a shot. pic.twitter.com/FbwQCPA1AC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 30, 2024
One more question mark for the Dallas Stars was the result of a Game 4 injury. Veteran defenceman Chris Tanev blocked an Evander Kane off his right skate. Moreover, he would leave the game and not return. DeBoer did say in the post-game that he hopes Tanev is available for Game 5, so hopefully it isn’t serious.
Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals Goes Friday Night from Texas
As the series goes back to Dallas, it becomes a mini best-of-three series. After Game 4, the Oilers now have a franchise record eight games in a row without allowing a power play goal. Also, the Oilers superstars like McDavid, Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will need to continue to carry the offensive load for the team. In contrast, players like Miro Heiskanen will need to stick to their game that got them to this point. Heiskanen has been terrific in shutting down the Oilers. The Stars will need him to be one of the series MVPs for the final two or three games. Finally, this is the playoffs after-all, and that means it comes down to goaltending. Jake Oettinger and Stuart Skinner have done their part in keeping this series tight. Could one of them emerge as a difference maker in the series? Stay tuned for all this and more. Game 5 is cued up for 7:30 PM local time in Dallas on Friday night.
Universal Responsible Gambling Disclaimer:
Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Main photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
