Edmonton Oilers right winger Corey Perry had a notable performance in Game 4 of the Western Conference final, contributing two points in a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars, giving the Oilers a 3-1 series lead. Perry recorded a secondary assist on Leon Draisaitl’s goal and scored a power-play goal, tying him with Evan Bouchard for the second-most goals on the team this postseason. Additionally, at 40, he tied four Hall of Famers for the most goals in a single postseason by a player aged 39 or older, as he approaches a potential sixth Stanley Cup final appearance in his career.
The veteran recorded two points in Edmonton’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars in Tuesday night’s Game 4, which gives the Oilers a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference final.
Later in the game, he took an interference penalty that resulted in the Stars equalizing. But less than three minutes after Jason Robertson made it a 1-1 game, Perry avenged the penalty with a power-play marker of his own.
Perry’s six goals tied defenseman Evan Bouchard for the second-most on the Oilers this post-season. He also joined elite company in NHL history.
Perry, 40, tied four Hockey Hall of Famers for the most goals in a single post-season by players aged 39 or older. He’s equalled Teemu Selanne in 2011, Mark Recchi in 2010, Ron Francis in 2002 and Jean Beliveau in 1971.
“There’s ups and downs in a game, in a series, at any time,” Perry told Sportsnet’s Gene Principe post-game. “I was trying to get to the bench on that penalty, (the referees) thought I was setting a pick, it is what it is. It was nice to see that one go in and get that power play going again.”
Edmonton’s power play ended up being the difference in this game. The Oilers went 2-for-3 on the man advantage on Tuesday, improving their power-play percentage in this series to 35.7 percent.
“Our PP came through tonight,” Perry told Sportsnet’s Gene Principe post-game. “Those were some big goals at crucial times in a hockey game.”
Perry took on a big role on the Oilers’ first line after Zach Hyman left the game with an injury in the first period. Perry finished the game with 16:51 of ice time, the most in a game that didn’t go to overtime for him in these playoffs.
This isn’t the first time Perry made history in these playoffs related to his age, either. Against the Vegas Golden Knights, he became the oldest player in Edmonton Oilers history to have a multi-goal game.
Perry is also now one win away from playing in the Stanley Cup final for the sixth time in his 20-year career. He would be the 78th player in NHL history to accomplish that if the Oilers advance to the final.