Tuesday brings a slight change in the Stanley Cup playoffs schedule, featuring only one game.
The Dallas Stars will host the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of their series to determine the Central Division`s representative in the Western Conference Finals. Dallas currently holds a 2-1 lead in the series.
Continue reading for a preview of the game, including statistical insights, a summary of Monday`s playoff action, and Arda Öcal`s selections for the day`s Three Stars.
Matchup Notes
Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars
Game 4
The Stars are favored to win the series (-340), while the Jets are seen as underdogs (+270) to rally for a series victory. Dallas is also currently the overall favorite to win the Stanley Cup (+325), ahead of the Jets (+1500).
Kyle Connor has recorded 13 points in 10 games for Winnipeg this postseason. This places him fifth all-time for points in a single playoff run in Thrashers/Jets franchise history, behind four players from 2018: Blake Wheeler (21), Mark Scheifele (20), Dustin Byfuglien (16), and Paul Stastny (15).
Connor Hellebuyck continues to show significant home/road performance differences in the playoffs. At home this postseason, he holds a 5-1 record with a 1.99 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. On the road, his record is 0-4 with a 6.63 GAA and .772 SV%.
Mikko Rantanen`s dominant playoff performance continues. He is the first player in NHL history to achieve five three-point games within his first 10 games of a single postseason. His career playoff points-per-game average is now 1.31, ranking him sixth all-time in Stanley Cup playoffs history. Only Wayne Gretzky (1.84), Mario Lemieux (1.61), Connor McDavid (1.60), Leon Draisaitl (1.48), and former teammate Nathan MacKinnon (1.32) have higher career playoff PPGs.
Jake Oettinger is one win away from surpassing Tim Thomas and Ben Bishop to claim sole possession of sixth place all-time in playoff victories among American-born goaltenders.
Öcal`s Three Stars from Monday
1. Stuart Skinner
G, Edmonton Oilers
Skinner recorded 23 saves en route to his second career playoff shutout. He joins Grant Fuhr, Curtis Joseph, Bill Ranford, Cam Talbot, and Mike Smith as the only Oilers goaltenders with multiple postseason shutouts.
2. Adam Henrique
C, Edmonton Oilers
The veteran forward achieved the second multi-goal playoff game of his career. This also marked the second consecutive game where an Oilers player scored twice in the first period, following Corey Perry in Game 3.
3. Sean Walker
D, Carolina Hurricanes
Walker contributed two points, highlighted by his first career playoff goal in his 22nd postseason appearance. His third-period goal at 16:45 secured the `over` bet for total goals in the Hurricanes-Capitals series for the first time.
Monday`s Recaps
Carolina Hurricanes 5, Washington Capitals 2
Carolina leads series 3-1, Game 5 Thursday
Although Game 4 wasn`t a shutout like Game 3, the Hurricanes appeared equally dominant and are now within one victory of returning to the Eastern Conference Finals. Shayne Gostisbehere netted his third goal of the postseason in the first period, and Seth Jarvis added his third playoff goal early in the second. Washington broke the shutout streak in the third with a goal from Jakob Chychrun, their first since Game 2. Taylor Hall quickly replied for Carolina, followed by Alex Ovechkin scoring a power-play goal to narrow the lead to 3-2. However, that was as close as the Capitals got, as Sean Walker and Andrei Svechnikov scored in the final minutes to seal the 5-2 win. Carolina heads to Washington for Game 5 holding a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Edmonton Oilers 3, Vegas Golden Knights 0
Edmonton leads series 3-1, Game 5 Wednesday
Adam Henrique, known for a famous playoff goal with the New Jersey Devils, had a significant impact on Monday`s game. While not quite reaching *that* historical level, his two goals propelled the Oilers within one win of another appearance in the Western Conference Finals. Henrique ignited the home crowd with a goal just over a minute into the first period, adding his second later in the frame. Evander Kane also scored in the second period. Stuart Skinner`s performance was stellar, stopping all 23 shots from the Golden Knights, bringing Vegas to the brink of elimination.
Rupert Hartwell