Stars Need Depth Offense to Step Up to Even Series
They dropped Game 3 to Edmonton, 6-1 in what looked to be their most dominate performance of the series, although the scoreboard does not reflect what was a close game until it wasn't. A theme that has been running through this playoff run for the Stars is their lack of scoring from their depth. Dallas had eight 20+ goal scorers in the regular season and it seems as though they all went cold at the same exact time which is not ideal.
However, their loan goal of Game 3 came from what initially was thought to be Lian Bichsel, but was later changed to Jason Robertson. Either of which would have been their first of the playoffs. It would be easy to get caught up in the officiating in Game 3 which led to some really unfortunate circumstances for the Stars, but the bottom line is that they have to get pucks in the back of the net. Even if you took goals off the board from Edmonton that came from situations that "shouldn't have happened," the Stars still don't win due to lack of scoring.
The key to Game 4 is going to be get on the board, preferably first, but once they get on the board, they cannot let up. The Oilers have proven time and time again that they can strike at any moment and they can score an onslaught of goals in a very short period of time. The other area they have to focus on is their defensive game. The Stars are never going to skate faster than Connor McDavid and friends, so they are going to have to be smart. They are going to have to rely on the details of positioning their bodies and sticks and being in the right place at the right time.
Roope Hintz is still a game time decision and did not participate in an optional morning skate. Hintz did not play in Game 3 and left the game early in Game 2 due to a slash to the top of the foot by Darnell Nurse. Hintz has been a part of the all Finnish line with Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund that has been carrying the Stars through the scoring drought. It will be imperative for the Stars to get Hintz back and playing at his normal self to help even up the series.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch announced that Connor Brown would be out for Game 4. Brown left Game 3 early after a big hit from Alexander Petrovic. Calvin Pickard has been out since the second game of their series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Knoblauch stated Pickard was an option to back up Stuart Skinner. Mattias Ekholm is still out as well.
Stars head coach, Pete DeBoer, stated there was still belief in their room after the massive loss in Game 3. It's hard to imagine if they don't win tonight and even up the series going back to Dallas that there isn't some panic.
Tonight's game can be viewed on ESPN at 7pm CST.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
Stars Fall Flat For Second Straight Game. Oilers Take 2-1 Series Lead
Stars Look to Spark Some Offense and Take Series Lead in Edmonton
No Further Discipline on Play Leading to Stars Forward Injury
Stars Offense Runs Dry Again, Oilers Tie Series
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