Dallas Stars push Colorado Avalanche to verge of elimination with 5-1 win

On the eve of his 21st birthday, Wyatt Johnston scored twice as the Dallas Stars pushed the Colorado Avalanche to the verge of elimination Monday night, with a 5-1 win in Game 4, reports associated press.

This came hours after standout Valeri Nichushkin of Avalanche was suspended for at least six months.

With a short-handed goal in the first period and a power-play tally in the second, Johnson gave the Stars a 3-1 lead in the second round, best-of-seven series.

Dallas has the opportunity to close it out at home arena in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Johnston came out possessed tonight, said Stars coach Pete DeBoer after the game.

He was all over the rink, which was just fantastic, he added.

Evgenii Dadonov and Miro Heiskanen also scored, while Sam Steel finished with an empty-net goal at the end. Meanwhile, Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger made 24 saves.

Almost an hour before the game, the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association declared Nichushkin suspended for at least six months without pay.

The Russian right winger was placed in stage 3 of the league’s player assistance program. This was the second time Nichushkin was in the program this season.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said they were not going to use the shelving as an excuse for the loss.