Forward Jason Robertson led the Dallas Stars with 46 goals and 109 points this season, and his team desperately needed his production to maintain their slim chance of winning the Western Conference Finals. Also, he brilliantly answered the call on Thursday.
The 23-year-old sparkled in a 3-2 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the series on Thursday. He fired a whopping 11 shots, in addition to making a double in regulation time. His performance made up for the absence of a few key elements like Jamie Benn (suspended) and Evgenii Dadonov (lower body injury).
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“Some people had to stand up in Jamie’s absence,” Robertson said, as reported by NHL.com. We needed goals and that’s the responsibility I put on my shoulders. These series have been difficult, but I know that I play on too good a line with too good players not to generate chances.
So far, the hockey player has maintained an interesting cruising speed in the 2023 playoffs with 17 points in as many confrontations. In important moments, the best elements of a team must occupy the upper hand and the number 21 achieved this on Thursday. We will have to continue like this.
“When he’s at his best, he just takes control of the game,” goalkeeper Jake Oettinger told the same source. Seems like he doesn’t think, he shoots every chance he gets and he makes those around him even better. He was our best player this time, by far. We hope it will continue like this.”
Not impossible, but…
Dallas is trying to achieve the colossal task of winning a series after dropping the first three games. In National Hockey League history, four teams have pulled off the feat, with the Philadelphia Flyers (2010) and Los Angeles Kings (2014) being the most recent perpetrators. But no matter what the tour books say, the important thing is the next game to win and the work to do to get there. Despair is also far from having invaded the locker room of the Stars.
“The difference is so slim at this time of year. You’re doing well and suddenly you’re down 3-0. We suffered a few losses in overtime, while playing good hockey. We have to rely on our good game and believe that we can buy even more time, ”said veteran Joe Pavelski, author of the decisive net, Thursday.
The fifth game will be broadcast Saturday at 8 p.m. on TVA Sports.
