6 days Ago
Johnston’s 9-second strike sets tone in Stars’ commanding Game 5 win (Image via: Getty Images) In a sport where tradition reigns supreme and narratives take years to build, Wyatt Johnston just torched the script in under 10 seconds. On Monday night, Johnston lit the fuse on a Dallas firestorm with a record-setting goal just nine seconds into Game 5 of the Stars’ first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche . The home crowd exploded and so did the drama.
While fans roared, critics sharpened their knives. Was this explosive display a masterstroke of elite preparation, or a fluke capitalizing on a lazy Colorado start? Wyatt Johnston’s early strike raises eyebrows and the stakes Dallas needed a spark, and Johnston delivered it with fire. After being shut out 4-0 in Game 4, the Stars bounced back with a 6-2 thrashing and Johnston wasn’t just fast, he was furious.
With two goals and an assist, the 20-year-old didn’t just show up; he made a statement. But not everyone’s convinced this was all brilliance, some are calling it opportunism. Coach Pete DeBoer, brushing off Game 4’s embarrassment, praised the team’s response.
“We’ve got a proud group,” he said. But behind the scenes, whispers question how a team can swing from lifeless to lethal so abruptly. Was this an elite adjustment, or a one-night anomaly? Meanwhile, the Avalanche seemed stunned from the opening faceoff.
Despite Mikko Rantanen’s best effort, a goal and two assists, the Avs’ defense looked lost. MacKinnon and Lehkonen tried to rally with two quick goals, cutting the lead to 3-2. But then Johnston struck again on the power play, and Colorado’s momentum collapsed faster than their neutral zone coverage.
One of the biggest storylines from the night was Mackenzie Blackwood getting pulled after giving up 5 goals on just 18 shots. Once considered a steady presence in the net, he’s now under pressure, with many suggesting the Stars may have cracked Colorado’s system or that Blackwood simply struggled when it mattered most. Also Read: NHL playoff controversy: Brandon Hagel injury raises questions about league's double standards Whatever your take, Game 5 wasn’t just a win, it was a warning.
Dallas isn’t just playing to survive; they’re playing to humiliate. Johnston’s historic opener has already sparked debates across the hockey world, but one thing’s for sure if the Avalanche don’t respond in Game 6, the conversation will shift from comeback hopes to off-season autopsies. All eyes are now on Thursday.
Buckle up as this series just got personal..
