Stanley Cup Playoff Day 38: Pavelski’s overtime winner keeps Stars season alive

The Dallas Stars will live another day, as their best players finally broke through the stifling Vegas Golden Knights defense to get enough goals on the board to win 3-2 in overtime. They never led in the game, but that didn’t matter, as Jason Robertson responded when they needed it, and Joe Pavelski scored when it mattered to take Game 4.

The Golden Knights certainly looked desperate to end this streak, as they were all over the puck early in the game and were rewarded with a goal just 4:17 from the start of the game. Reilly Smith fired a shot with a bouncing puck, and William Karlsson tipped it to give Vegas a 1-0 lead.

The Stars needed an answer, and they were getting plenty of chances, but nothing could beat adin hill. It wasn’t until 4:18 into the period that they got their first of the night on the power play, but it took a mega effort from Jason Robertson. He deflected Miro Heiskanen’s shot to the net, which was stopped by Hill, then before the puck hit the ground, knocked him out of the air in front of the net before knocking him out of the air again from there to even the game.

But that hard work disappeared when the Golden Knights regained the lead midway through the second. Brayden McNabb made an excellent pass through the crease to Jonathan Marchessault in front, and he tapped it with easegiving Vegas a 2-1 lead.

However, at the end of the period, Robertson regained the upper hand. Esa Lindell’s slap shot from the point went wide, but bounced off the boards and straight into Robertson in front, who buried in the big open net tie at 2-2. The third period saw a few chances, mostly starsbut neither goalkeeper could be beaten, and this game required extra time to decide the winner.

It didn’t take long to decide that though. The Stars had an early power play opportunity, and a plethora of chances created chaos among the Golden Knights’ disadvantage, and a Punctual Joe Pavelski gave the Stars the 3-2 victory in overtime, keeping the series and their season alive.

It was a close game all around, with the Stars holding the slight advantage in shots, shot attempts, chances and expected goals, so they certainly earned their first win of the series. Robertson led the way with two goals, while Heiskanen and Roope Hintz had two assists each. Jake Oettinger won the goalie battle stopping 37 of 39 shots for a .949 save percentage, while Hill stopped 39 of 42 for a .929 save percentage in the loss.