In Monday’s Game 3, with the score tied 3-3, Roope Hintz found himself wide open on the ice. However, it was Jason Robertson, the most dangerous player on the ice, who had the puck.
With approximately eight minutes left in the game, Robertson showcased his exceptional scoring ability by threading the needle. He managed to find the tiniest of gaps between Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner’s pads and the post, resulting in a goal that only he could have scored. This goal sealed the Stars’ remarkable comeback, securing a 5-3 victory and giving them a 2-1 series lead.
Although the crowd at Rogers Place remained silent and the hats didn’t go flying, Robertson’s linemate Tyler Seguin was right there beside him to celebrate. Seguin couldn’t help but express his admiration for Robertson’s impressive goal-scoring prowess.
“I mentally threw mine,” Seguin remarked. “His third goal was the epitome of a Robertson goal. People might focus on the goalie, but that shot was pure Robertson.”
Robertson’s courageous performance in the third period was a result of his earlier success. He admitted that without scoring the first two goals on Monday night, he might not have had the confidence to attempt that particular shot. He was in the zone.
The 24-year-old forward helped Dallas recover from a 2-0 deficit following a lackluster first period. Teaming up with Roope Hintz, who was making his return after a four-game absence due to an upper-body injury, they quickly scored two goals within a 2-minute and 30-second span early in the second period, leveling the game.
On the first goal, Hintz spotted Robertson making a swift move towards the left circle. And on the second goal, he skillfully redirected a rebound back to Robertson, who executed a backhanded shot.
“Robertson is the type of player who needs one goal to get his confidence going, and suddenly it seems like the net is as wide as a soccer goal,” praised Stars coach Pete DeBoer. “He’s always had his hot streaks.”
In the second period, with only 52.5 seconds remaining, Robertson scored the winning goal after Edmonton had tied the game. This marked his first career postseason hat trick and his fourth overall. It was also his first three-goal performance since December 1, 2022.
Robertson’s outstanding performance on Monday came at a crucial time, as he had been struggling to find the back of the net after a strong start to the playoffs. He had gone 10 games without a goal and had been relying on his teammates to contribute in the meantime. However, he was definitely due for a breakout.
Seguin, recognizing Robertson’s exceptional play, had a feeling that he might even score a fourth goal. “He was just having one of those nights,” Seguin commented.
In the 16 playoff games played so far, Robertson is now leading the Stars in points with 16 (six goals and 10 assists), maintaining a point-per-game average. Beyond the statistics, his energy and performance served as a catalyst for a Dallas team that had a slow start on Monday night.
The Stars found themselves trailing 2-0 and being outshot 10-3 in the first period. However, Robertson’s early goals in the second period completely changed the game.
According to Robertson, moments like these are what fuel the entire team. He explained, “Everyone just keeps pushing and sticking with it. It becomes contagious. One line steps up, and then another line sees that and follows suit. It’s a chain reaction that leads to our success.”
Thanks to Robertson’s outstanding performance, the Stars now boast an impressive 6-1 record on the road in the postseason. They will continue their road journey for Game 4 on Wednesday night at Rogers Place, aiming to secure a 3-1 lead and potentially clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Final on their home ice.
While it may be unrealistic to expect Robertson to replicate his three-goal performance in the next game, his outstanding display could serve as inspiration for the next streaky goal scorer. The Stars consistently outmaneuver the Oilers’ defense, making them one step ahead in each game.
“Dallas has a talented roster with many skilled hockey players,” acknowledged Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch when commenting on Robertson’s performance. “As a team, we cannot expect to completely neutralize their entire lineup. There will be games where they excel and have their moments.”