The Stars in their 6-2 victory over the Avalanche, securing a 3-2 lead in the series.

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Wyatt Johnston netted the fastest goal in history for the Dallas Stars at the beginning of a playoff match, providing a timely reply at home during their first-round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche.  Wyatt Johnston found the net just 9 seconds into Game 5, contributing another goal and an assist for the Stars, who claimed a 6-2 victory on Monday night, giving them a 3-2 advantage in the series. 

“Tonight, we likely created the most opportunities we've ever had, and it was evident. ” “Johnston expressed, 'It’s simply a tremendous victory. '” 

Our reaction doesn't surprise me. "Coach Pete DeBoer expressed, 'We have a team that takes pride in itself,' following their 4-0 defeat in Game 4 away from home just two nights prior. " "The previous match, our performance was lacking. " It occurs. During a series that lasts seven games, there will be a night when you don't perform well. We took charge, made it our own, repaired it, and reacted accordingly.  Mikko Rantanen, a player for the Avalanche during the playoffs for the last seven years, netted his first goal in the postseason and contributed two assists for the Stars, helping them gain a 3-2 lead in the series. 

Rantanen stated, "As the main players, we understood that we had to improve our defense and contribute more to scoring. " On Thursday night in Colorado, Game 6 will take place, where last season the Stars secured their second-round series. Following the goals by Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon just 2 1/2 minutes apart in the second period, bringing the Avs to 3-2, Johnston netted a power play goal that had Rantanen providing a secondary assist. Mason Marchment brought back Dallas' three-goal advantage before the second period concluded by redirecting Alexander Petrovic's powerful slap shot past goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. Jake Oettinger, the goalie for Dallas, made 27 saves. 

Blackwood, having permitted just seven goals in the initial four matches, surrendered five goals on 18 shots before Scott Wedgewood stepped in as the goalie to begin the third period. Wedgewood served as Oettinger's backup for the previous two seasons and achieved eight saves. 

Johnston's goal, which set a new record for starters, occurred right after the opening faceoff when he took a shot from just to the left of the net. The 21-year-old forward was in his 43rd playoff game and was gliding toward the back wall while passing the red line when he took a shot that bounced off Blackwood. 

“I just noticed a small gap,” said Johnston. "Thought it would be worth a shot, so let’s give it a go. " “Found some good fortune. ” 

This was Johnston's initial goal of the playoffs this season, marking his third game with multiple goals in the postseason. The record for the quickest goal in a Stars playoff game was set when Jeff Halpern found the net just 24 seconds into Game 2 of the first-round matchup against Vancouver on April 13, 2007. Johnston scored within the first 9 seconds of a playoff game, making him the eighth player in NHL history to achieve this feat. Don Kozak still holds the record for the Los Angeles Kings, having scored just 6 seconds into a match against Boston on April 17, 1977. In the first four games, Dallas had only been ahead for a total of 62 seconds. This stretch included two losses by four goals and consecutive victories in overtime during Games 2 and 3. In my opinion, we provided strong answers. Rantanen mentioned, “It’s important to begin the way we did. ” "When you have a lead, the game becomes much simpler, and I believe that was the first time we took the lead in this series. " Therefore, it plays an essential role. In the last minute of the opening period, Johnston provided the assist for Thomas Harley's goal, which Blackwood initially stopped with his right arm. However, the puck soared into the air and landed behind the goalie, ricocheting off his back and rolling into the net. When we abandon the first two, it's simple to end up at three. "Definitely a couple of unusual goals," remarked Avs coach Jared Bednar. "We certainly had to improve our defense at the start of the game, but we fought back and made some solid opportunities on offense. " 

Early in the second period, Rantanen put the score at 3-0 during a breakaway alongside his fellow Finnish teammate Roope Hintz. Hintz, after receiving the puck, quickly returned it with a pass across the ice, which allowed Rantanen to take a quick snap shot for his 35th goal in the playoffs. With 2:05 remaining, Hintz scored into an open net, assisted by Rantanen. 

On January, Rantanen was traded by Colorado. He played just 13 games for Carolina in the East before moving on. On March 7, a trade returned him to the Central Division with the Stars, along with an eight-year contract extension worth $96 million.