After scoring the Dallas Stars‘ game-winning goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round showdown against the Colorado Avalanche, Wyatt Johnston has etched his name even closer to an impressive NHL list headlined by stars like Sidney Crosby, Jaromir Jagr, and Patrick Kane.
There might never be a new “Mr. Game 7” who suceeds Justin Williams, but if there is, then Stars forward Wyatt Johnston is becoming an early candidate to that title in the NHL.
The 21-year-old has appeared in three winner-takes-all playoff matchups so far in his young NHL career, and he has been on the winning side of them each time. In addition, he has scored a goal in each one of them, too.
Johnston has the clutch gene in his DNA, and his confidence has put him just shy of surpassing Kane and Jagr in an outstanding scoring list. Johnston is within reach of tying or even breaking Crosby’s record, but it’s more of a longshot.
After scoring in Game 7 against the Avalanche, Johnston registered his 17th career goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, taking third position for most goals in the postseason before turning 22 years old. Kane and Jagr are tied in second place with 19 apiece, while Crosby stands head and shoulders above the rest with 24 tallies before blowing 22 candles on the cake.
Racing the clock
After the Winnipeg Jets’ double-overtime victory in Game 7 over the St. Louis Blues, the fixture has been set for the Western Conference Semis between the Stars and Jets.
If Johnston wants to break Crosby’s record, he will have to put on a fight against the sandclock. Johnston turns 22 years old on May 14, opening a brief window for the Stars’ gem to snap Crosby’s milestone.
The Jets and Stars are scheduled to play 4 games between May 7-13, during which Johnston has to score at least seven goals to tie Crosby’s record, and eight (an average of two goals per game) to etch nis name in solitude at the top of the list.
Tall order
Of course, that’s much easier said than done—Johnston would need to challenge some long-standing records to become the U-22 player with the most goals in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.
If he scores eight or more goals in the next four games, he’d be on pace to rival the best scoring averages in series history—held by Newsy Lalonde and Johan Franzen, who averaged 2.5 goals per game during the 1918–19 NHL Final and the 2003–04 Western Conference Semifinals, respectively.
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Needless to say, Johnston’s mind is fully focused on helping his team win, regardless of breaking the record. There is nothing more important than leading Dallas to its second Stanley Cup in franchise history.