The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year. With a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday night, the Oilers have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Power-play goals from Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry, along with a solid 28-save performance from Stuart Skinner, propelled Edmonton to its third straight win. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins continued his stellar postseason, adding two primary assists to extend his point streak to four games.
The win came despite the early loss of forward Zach Hyman, who exited the game midway through the first period after a hit from Dallas’ Mason Marchment. Hyman, a key contributor with 11 points and a physical presence throughout the playoffs, did not return.
Veteran Viktor Arvidsson stepped up in Hyman’s absence, providing depth and stability to the forward lines. Late empty-net goals from Kasperi Kapanen and Adam Henrique sealed the victory for Edmonton.
Dallas managed to tie the game briefly in the second period with a goal from Jason Robertson, but the Stars struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure. They have now allowed the first goal in all four games of the series.
The Oilers will look to close out the series in Game 5 on Thursday in Dallas. A win would send them back to the Stanley Cup Final, where they aim to avenge last year’s seven-game loss to the Florida Panthers.
