Stars’ Wyatt Johnston heating up is dangerous for Wild

The first-round series between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs with plenty of hype. After all, these were two possible Cup contenders squaring off in the first round.

So far, it’s lived up to the hype, with Game 3 keeping up that pace. The two teams went back-and-forth with the leads, and needed double overtime to solve it, with Wyatt Johnston getting the game winner on the power play. The goal was Johnston’s third goal and fifth point of the series already, as he’s already become a dangerous weapon for the Stars.

Carter Hutton talked about Johnston and how he gives the Stars another scoring threat in the first round against the Wild on Daily Faceoff Live.

Carter Hutton: I think a player like [Johnston] with the supporting cast that he has… you think about how much attention Jason Robertson is going to draw, Mikko Rantanen, everyone they have in their lineup in Dallas. Now all of a sudden that you get Wyatt Johnson, that’s a three-headed monster coming at you.

And last night, they were very effective. The play to start the game from Jason Robertson over to Mikko Rantanen, a huge goal, a huge moment, no-look pass. And then Jason Robertson on a costly turnover by the [Wild] fourth line. McCarron ends up getting it back, scoring his own goal. But then you let Jason Robertson walk down to the ladies’ tee and he scores. These are big, big moments. And obviously Matt Duchene finding the back of the net.

There’s so many factors in Dallas, that right now, if Minnesota keeps taking penalties, I think this series might not go the distance. Because 5-on-5 Minnesota is good, but shorthanded, it’s hard to handle this Dallas Stars team.

You can watch the full episode here…