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Stars Edge Out Injury-Ridden Oilers in Thrilling 4-3 Victory
The Dallas Stars defeated the injury-depleted Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in a thrilling Wednesday night matchup, extending their strong recent form. Jason Robertson's natural hat trick in the second period proved crucial, showcasing the Stars' offensive firepower even as the Oilers mounted a late comeback.
Robertson's Stellar Performance
Robertson's three goals, assisted by Roope Hintz on each occasion, propelled the Stars to a commanding 4-0 lead. This marked Robertson's second hat trick of the season and fifth of his career, solidifying his status as a key offensive threat. His performance highlighted Dallas' potent offensive depth, with five players boasting 25+ goals this season – an NHL high. This impressive offensive output includes Robertson, Matt Duchene, Hintz, Johnston and Rantanen. Wyatt Johnston also contributed a goal for the Stars.
Oilers' Injury Crisis Deepens
The Oilers faced a significant challenge, missing key players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl due to injury for the second consecutive game. Their woes deepened during the game; Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard both left the ice briefly due to injuries, though both returned. The injury crisis reached a critical point when starting goaltender Stuart Skinner was forced to leave the game after a collision with Mikko Rantanen. Calvin Pickard stepped in to replace him.
A Late Oilers Push
Despite the setbacks, the Oilers showed resilience. Corey Perry, Adam Henrique, and Zach Hyman scored in a late push, narrowing the deficit to 4-3. However, it was ultimately not enough to overcome the Stars' early advantage and the absence of their star players.
Key Takeaways and What's Next
Stars: Thomas Harley's continued strong play in the absence of Miro Heiskanen is a major positive. Oilers: The numerous injuries are a major concern. Both teams face back-to-back games on Thursday, with the Oilers facing Seattle and the Stars playing Calgary. The outcome of this game could heavily influence playoff seeding for both teams.
The game showcased the depth and offensive prowess of the Dallas Stars, who overcame significant challenges to secure a crucial victory. The Oilers, while demonstrating resilience, will undoubtedly need to address their mounting injury problems going into the final stretch of the season.
