Afterwords: Salvation, Thy Name is Johnston

Apr 27, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) celebrates his overtime goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in game three of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY SportsFor awhile there, it really looked like the hockey gods had cursed the Dallas Stars.

First, they gave them a matchup of the Vegas Golden Knights, defending Stanley Cup champions and, despite their Wild Card status, a bonafide Cup Contender, in the first round. Then they lost both of their first games on home ice, despite arguably being the better team in both. Then, in Vegas, Dallas absolutely dominated, all game long. And…