Oilers Dominate Stars in Game 4, One Win from Stanley Cup Final Despite Hyman’s Injury

The Edmonton Oilers are one victory away from their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance after a commanding 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final at Rogers Place on Tuesday. Leading the best-of-7 series 3-1, the Oilers showcased their depth, defensive prowess, and power-play efficiency, even after losing key forward Zach Hyman to an injury in the first period. With Game 5 set for Dallas on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ESPN, SN, TVAS, CBC), Edmonton is poised to clinch a Final berth, but they expect a fierce response from the Stars. As goaltender Stuart Skinner noted, “Even though it is 3-1, we have a lot more work to do.”

A Resilient Performance Amid Adversity

The Oilers faced a significant setback when Hyman, a physical and offensive force with 111 hits and 11 points in the playoffs, left at 9:17 of the first period after a hit to his right shoulder from Stars forward Mason Marchment. Coach Kris Knoblauch had no postgame update, saying, “I’ll wait until tomorrow and give you the update then.” Hyman’s absence forced Edmonton to play with 11 forwards, but the team rallied, with veterans stepping up. “He’s a top player for us,” defenseman Brett Kulak said. “He brings an element to the game and to our team that not many guys around the League can bring.”

Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry each delivered a goal and an assist, anchoring the Oilers’ offense. Draisaitl opened the scoring at 11:23 of the first period with a power-play one-timer, assisted by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who extended his multipoint streak to four games (two goals, seven assists). Perry, filling in on the top line after Hyman’s exit, scored the game-winner at 9:20 of the second period, tapping in a cross-crease pass from Nugent-Hopkins on another power play. Kasperi Kapanen and Adam Henrique sealed the 4-1 victory with empty-net goals at 17:33 and 19:10 of the third period, respectively.

Defensive Dominance and Stellar Goaltending

Edmonton’s defensive structure and goaltending were pivotal, holding Dallas to four shots in the third period and outscoring them 13-2 over the past three games. Stuart Skinner made 28 saves, continuing his stellar postseason form with a 6-0 record in Game 4s, a 1.26 goals-against average, and a .955 save percentage. “We’re getting a lot of saves out of Stu,” Knoblauch said. “When a goalie is playing at the top of his game, it alleviates your memory of those mistakes.” The Oilers’ penalty kill and checking frustrated Dallas, with Connor McDavid and Nugent-Hopkins each adding two assists to bolster the team’s balanced effort.

Dallas’ lone goal came from Jason Robertson on a power play at 6:57 of the second period, tying the game 1-1 before Perry’s response. Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 29 shots, but Dallas struggled to capitalize, missing 15 shots in the first period alone. “We’ve got to make it a little bit tougher and make sure we’re hitting nets,” coach Pete DeBoer said, pinpointing their penalty kill as a critical weakness.

Stars Face Uphill Battle

The Stars, the No. 2 seed from the Central Division, are on the brink of elimination, needing three straight wins, including one on the road, to overcome the No. 3-seeded Oilers. “I feel like we’ve done everything but fill the net,” forward Tyler Seguin said, reflecting on missed opportunities. Mikko Rantanen added, “This is not the time of year to get frustrated. You’ve got to reset and go back at it.” Dallas’ 7-2 home record offers hope, but their inability to score first in road playoff games (0-7) and a struggling penalty kill (allowing three power-play goals in Game 1) pose challenges.

Oilers’ Historic Run

Edmonton’s Game 4 win marks their 11th victory in 13 games, showcasing a team transformed from their offensive-heavy past into a defensive juggernaut. Nugent-Hopkins’ four-game multipoint streak makes him the seventh player in NHL history to achieve this in the round before the Final, joining legends like Wayne Gretzky. Draisaitl’s power-play goal was his 20th in the postseason, a feat matched by only three other Oilers. Perry, at 40, tied for the most goals (six) in a single postseason by a player aged 39 or older. McDavid’s two assists pushed his playoff multipoint games to over 50% (45 of 89).

Looking Ahead to Game 5

The Oilers head to Dallas with momentum but remain cautious. “We’re going to Dallas to have the chance to move on to the Stanley Cup Final,” Draisaitl said. “That will be the toughest game of the series.” Skinner echoed, “You know for a fact that when they are at home they’re going to be giving a really big push.” Edmonton’s ability to overcome Hyman’s absence, lean on their veterans, and maintain defensive discipline positions them well, but the Stars’ home strength and desperation could make Game 5 a battle.

Conclusion

The Edmonton Oilers’ 4-1 triumph in Game 4, despite losing Zach Hyman, underscores their resilience, depth, and defensive evolution. With standout performances from Draisaitl, Perry, Nugent-Hopkins, and Skinner, they stand one win from the Stanley Cup Final. As Dallas fights to extend the series, Edmonton’s focus remains clear: prepare for a fierce challenge and seize their chance to return to hockey’s grandest stage. Game 5 promises high stakes and intense competition as the Oilers aim to close out the Stars.

Source: article By Gerry Moddejonge on nhl.com, published May 28, 2025.

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