Stanley Cup Final Game 4 score: Lightning outlast Stars in OT thriller, take commanding 3-1 series lead

There were goals galore in a wild Game 4

The Tampa Bay Lightning took a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final against the Dallas Stars on Friday. Kevin Shattenkirk was the hero in overtime as he fired the game-winner that gave the Lightning a 5-4 (box score) win off a power play goal. 

Dallas took a quick 2-0 lead in the first period not through repeated attacks on goal, but through a couple of faceoff wins. That kind of approach was what kept the Stars in this game even as their lead evaporated and turned into a deficit. Eventually their face off victories turned into more opportunities on goal and, for what seems like the first time in this series, they were firing at a comparable rate as the Lightning were.

A shot from Joe Pavelski from the right side of the net tied things up at four goals a piece late in the third period to send the game into overtime. The ice had opened for both teams as Corey Perry and Brayden Point were sent to the box for hooking and simulation, respectively, to start the extra frame. But the pivotal call happened just over five minutes into the overtime period as Jamie Benn was called for kicking the skates underneath of Tyler Johnson -- this was the explanation the ref was caught giving Benn as the Stars player argued with the official.

The Lightning, who had scored two of their four regulation goals from power plays, were in prime position to take this game, and they did just that. Shattenkirk fired one from the right side of the net to send the puck past Anton Khudobin to take the win.

Tampa Bay just needs to win just one more game to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2004. Dallas, whose fairy tale postseason run got them to the Final in the first place, is on the brink.  

[Sep 25, 2020 at 11:23 pm ET · Gabriel Fernandez]

GOAL! Lightning 5, Stars 4 (OT)

Kevin Shattenkirk seals the win for Tampa Bay and Dallas are on the brink!

[Sep 25, 2020 at 11:21 pm ET · Gabriel Fernandez]

PENALTY! And now it's the deadly Lightning who will get the power play as Jamie Benn gets sent to the box. (14:50 OT)

[Sep 25, 2020 at 11:13 pm ET · Gabriel Fernandez]

PENALTY! Mikhail Sergachev gets sent to the box and the Stars will have the 4-on-3 advantage! (19:23 OT)

[Sep 25, 2020 at 10:57 pm ET · Gabriel Fernandez]

End of Regulation: Lightning 4, Stars 4

[Sep 25, 2020 at 10:56 pm ET · Gabriel Fernandez]

PENALTY! Corey Perry gets into the box for interference and Brayden Point goes in for embellishment. Four on four hockey for two minutes! (29.0 3rd period)