Stars light up scoreboard, rout Kraken
Pavelski scores again as Dallas knots up series
SEATTLE — Joe Pavelski scored his sixth goal of the series as part of a four-goal second period for Dallas, and the Stars routed the Seattle Kraken 6-3 on Tuesday night in Game 4 to even the Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2.
After a pair of tight games in Dallas to open the series, Games 3 and 4 in Seattle were blowouts. The Kraken rolled to a 7-2 win in Game 3 and the Stars responded with their best performance of the series in a dominant Game 4 victory. Game 5 is Thursday night in Dallas.
Pavelski scored four goals in the series opener, added a fifth in Game 2 and gave the Stars a 4-0 lead midway through the second period of Game 4.
Pavelski’s goal came on a power play after Seattle had challenged for goaltender interference on Max Domi’s second goal of the playoffs that gave Dallas a 3-0 lead. The challenge failed and Pavelski made Seattle pay on the ensuing power play.
Pavelski’s goal was his 70th career playoff goal, tying him with Steve Yzerman for 19th place. The only active players with more playoff goals are Alex Ovechkin (72) and Sidney Crosby (71).
Jamie Benn scored late in the first period to give Dallas the early advantage, and defenseman Thomas Harley made it 2-0 early in the second period. Roope Hintz capped Dallas’ big second period outburst with his sixth of the playoffs at 19:07 of the period.
Seattle’s Jaden Schwartz scored twice, and Adam Larsson scored with 4:11 remaining to pull Seattle to 5-3.
Domi scored an empty-net goal with 2:21 left for the Stars.
■ Hurricanes 6, Devils 1:
At Newark, New Jersey, Carolina ignited for five goals in a sensational second period and got a strong game in net from goalie Frederik Andersen to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Jordan Martinook had a goal and three assists for Carolina. Martin Necas had a pair of goals and defensemen Brett Pesce and Brent Burns each had a goal and assist as the Hurricanes chased starting goalie Vitek Vanecek in the second period.
New Jersey’s Jack Hughes tipped a Timo Meier shot past Andersen early in the first period, but the Devils would get nothing else.
Game 5 is Thursday as the Hurricanes try to wrap up the series at home.