The Edmonton Oilers secured a crucial victory against the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of the Western Conference final, evening the series with a 5-2 win on Wednesday night.
The game saw a flurry of goals in the second period, with Mattias Janmark and Leon Draisaitl scoring within a span of 51 seconds to shift the momentum in favor of the Oilers. Janmark's short-handed goal tied the game, followed by Draisaitl's 10th postseason goal, putting Edmonton ahead.
Ryan McLeod, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm, who scored into an empty net, also contributed to the Oilers' victory. Connor McDavid showcased his playmaking skills with two assists, while goaltender Stuart Skinner made 20 saves to anchor the defense.
Dallas initially took a 2-0 lead with goals from Wyatt Johnson and Esa Lindell early in the game. However, Edmonton responded with goals from McLeod and Bouchard to level the score before taking control in the second period.
The Oilers' penalty kill was instrumental in the victory, successfully thwarting Dallas' power plays, including a crucial kill late in the game. Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars but couldn't prevent Edmonton's offensive surge.
Notable lineup changes for Edmonton included the introduction of defenseman Philip Broberg and forwards McLeod and Corey Perry. The Stars faced adversity as defenseman Chris Tanev exited the game in the second period due to a lower-body injury.
With the series now tied at 2-2, the teams will face off in Game 5 on Friday night in Dallas, setting the stage for a pivotal matchup in the quest for a spot in the Stanley Cup final.
Sources: AP NHL playoffs and AP News
