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  • Bags apple in loss
    Harley notched an assist in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Oilers in Game 4.

    Advice: The helper snapped a seven-game slump for Harley. The 22-year-old defenseman may be starting to feel the wear and tear of a full-length NHL season and a deep playoff run, as he's struggled to provide a strong two-way game in the playoffs. Harley has three helpers, 44 blocked shots, 27 shots on net, 12 hits and a plus-8 rating over 17 postseason contests. He was dropped to the second pairing Wednesday after spending a majority of the playoffs alongside Miro Heiskanen on the top pairing. There may be more shuffling ahead for the Stars' defense if Chris Tanev (lower body) can't suit up Friday in Game 5. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:53 pm
     
  • Scores early in loss
    Johnston scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Oilers in Game 4.

    Advice: Johnston scored for the second game in a row, but instead of being part of a comeback, it was the opening goal in a loss. The center has two goals and two assists over his last three contests, giving him 15 points, 53 shots on net, 23 hits and a plus-3 rating through 17 playoff outings. Johnston has shuffled around the lineup at times this postseason, but he's often been at or near the top of the ice time list among Stars forwards. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:44 pm
     
  • Garners assist in Game 4
    Nugent-Hopkins posted an assist and three hits in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Nugent-Hopkins had been held off the scoresheet over the previous two contests, his first multi-game dry spell since April 12-13. The 31-year-old broke out of the short slump by helping out on Evan Bouchard's first-period equalizer. Nugent-Hopkins is up to four goals, 14 assists, 21 shots on net, 28 hits and a plus-3 rating as a playmaker in a top-six role. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:26 pm
     
  • Distributes three helpers in win
    McDavid recorded three assists, five shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: McDavid got on the scoresheet in consecutive games for the first time since his playoff-opening seven-game point streak. He had a helper in each period in this contest, giving him two goals and five assists over four games in the Western Conference Finals. The all-world center is up to 28 points, 48 shots on net, 33 hits and a plus-7 rating through 16 playoff appearances. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:21 pm
     
  • Deposits goal in Game 4 win
    Bouchard scored a goal on two shots, added two hits, blocked two shots and went plus-3 in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Bouchard put away a rebound of a Connor McDavid shot at 16:17 of the first period, which erased the early 2-0 deficit the Oilers faced. While he doesn't have a multi-point effort in the Western Conference Finals, Bouchard has still managed a goal and two assists over his last four games. The star defenseman is at six tallies, 17 helpers, 51 shots on net, 26 blocks, 15 hits and a plus-15 rating through 16 playoff appearances. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:44 pm
     
  • Returns to scoresheet with goal
    Draisaitl scored a goal on three shots, added two hits and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Draisaitl began the playoffs with a 13-game point streak, but the Stars silenced him in Games 2 and 3. He bounced back Wednesday, netting his 10th goal of the postseason just after a penalty kill that saw the Oilers take the lead on a Mattias Janmark shorthanded tally. Draisaitl is up to 26 points, 56 shots on net, 16 hits and a plus-2 rating over 16 playoff contests. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:41 pm
     
  • Departs Wednesday's game
    Tanev (lower body) did not return to Wednesday's Game 4 after blocking a shot in the second period.

    Advice: The Stars initially labeled Tanev as questionable to return, but his inability to get back on the ice in this contest is not a positive sign. The 34-year-old defenseman is a key part of the Stars' defensive structure, so a potential absence for Friday's Game 5 or beyond could spell trouble for the team. If Tanev is unable to play, Nils Lundkvist is the most likely player to draw into the lineup, though he has seen very sheltered minutes when he's played during the postseason. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:14 pm
     
  • Won't play Wednesday
    Hakanpaa (lower body) isn't expected to play in Game 4 against Edmonton on Wednesday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

    Advice: Hakanpaa hasn't been in the lineup since March 16, and it's unclear when he might be able to return. He had two goals, 12 points, 196 hits and 123 blocks in 64 appearances during the regular season. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:29 am
     
  • Offers helper in loss
    Bouchard notched an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Stars in Game 3.

    Advice: Bouchard helped out Zach Hyman's opening goal early in the first period. The Stars have at least somewhat neutralized Bouchard in the Western Conference Finals, limiting him to two assists in three contests. He has 22 points (eight on the power play), 49 shots on net, 24 blocks, 13 hits and a plus-12 rating over 15 playoff appearances after playing above a point-per-game pace in the first two rounds. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:19 pm