Stars Shine Bright With 6-3 Win in Game 4, Even Series 2-2
The Dallas Stars looked to stop a two-game road losing streak against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night. And that they did. The Stars defeated the Kraken 6-3 in Game 4 at Climate Pledge Arena. Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger made 16 saves. Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 17 saves on 22 shots, and Kraken backup goaltender Martin Jones had two saves in relief of Grubauer. The Stars tweaked their starting lineup by adding Joe Pavelski to the usual mix of Miro Heiskanen, Ryan Suter, Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Jake Oettinger. "Where's Robertson?" you ask. I recently saw this meme on #StarsTwitter, and I agree wholeheartedly. Robertson has been nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, but the Stars need a playoff boost from the 23-year-old.
The first period was proof that star power trumped defensive depth. Stars captain Jamie Benn helped his team get an early 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 17:13 of the first period. Benn ripped a perfect wrist shot past Philipp Grubauer for his second goal of the playoffs. The Stars led 1-0 after the first period. Dallas outshot Seattle 11-5 after 20 minutes. The Stars scored four goals in the second period, while the Kraken logged just one goal. Thomas Harley went top-shelf on the rush for his first goal of the playoffs. Harley gave the Stars a 2-0 lead 4:46 into the second period. Max Domi helped the Stars to a 3-0 lead at 9:25 of the second period. Domi sent home a wrist shot for his second goal of the playoffs. Domi's goal was upheld after further review for goaltender interference. Joe Pavelski extended the Stars' lead to 4-0 with his sixth goal of the playoffs at 10:50 of the second period. Pavelski got a puck in front and backhanded it home to score a power-play goal. Jaden Schwartz got the Kraken on the board, 4-1, at 11:46 of the second period. Schwartz finished Justin Schultz's pass for his fourth goal of the playoffs. Roope Hintz expanded the Stars' lead to 5-1 with 53 seconds left in the second period. Hintz created a turnover, found a rebound in front, and stashed it into the net for his sixth goal of the playoffs. The Stars had a commanding 5-1 lead after two periods. Dallas outshot Seattle 22-10 after 40 minutes. The third period was an unofficial test for the Stars' defense. Jaden Schwartz scored his second goal of the game to pull the Kraken within three, 5-2, 3:24 into the third period. Schwartz picked up an Oliver Bjorkstrand pass and buried it home for his fifth goal of the playoffs. Adam Larsson made it a two-goal game, 5-3, at 15:49 of the third period. Larsson blasted in a one-timer past Jake Oettinger for his first goal of the playoffs. Max Domi scored his second goal of the game for a 6-3 Stars lead at 17:39 of the third period. Domi put a puck into the empty net for his third goal of the playoffs. The Stars return home to host the Kraken in Game 5 on Thursday at 8:30 pm Central.