The Dallas Stars knocked the Vegas Golden Knights out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, on Sunday night in Game 7, and the play of young star Wyatt Johnston was a big reason why.
After the Stars fell behind the Golden Knights 2-0 in the series with a pair of losses on home ice, it looked like the Knights would be able to knock off one of the consensus Cup favorites and have their title defense march on.
But the Stars battled back on the road, rattling off three straight wins before Vegas won on home ice in Game 6 to force Sunday's decisive contest.
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NHL Playoff Update: Wyatt Johnston, Stars Oust Golden Knights in Seven
All along the way, 20-year-old Wyatt Johnston has emerged as a gamebreaking difference-maker for Dallas. The young center topped the 30-mark for both goals and assists this season, and his talent and energy made him an x-factor heading into this series.
When the chips were down for the Stars, he stepped up in a huge way, scoring two of the team's three goals in a 3-2 overtime win in Game 3 that saved the season, and scoring again in Game 4 to help even the series.
He had two assists in Game 5 before being held off the scoresheet in Game 6. Game 7 was a tight-checking affair, and Johnston opened the scoring with a rip that beat Adin Hill and put Dallas in charge.
The formula for the Stars in this series was simple, if Johnston either scored a goal or had a multi-point night, they won, and if he didn't, they lost.
While Dallas has things figured out as one of the best defensive teams in the league with strong goaltending and key offensive contributors throughout the lineup, a gamebreaker like Johnston who can totally take over a game is absolutely essential to match what the Colorado Avalanche will bring in the second round.
With Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar in tow, the Avs are set to pose the biggest threat to the Stars' outstanding defensive structure yet. Dallas probably likes its chances anyway.
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