DALLAS — (AP) — The Dallas Stars got off a fast start in Game 5 of their Western Conference series against Colorado, with Wyatt Johnston's goal 9 seconds in Monday night being their quickest goal ever to open a playoff game.
That score came off the opening faceoff, with Johnston shooting from the immediate left of the net. Johnston was skating toward the back wall and passing the red line when he took the shot that ricocheted off goalie Mackenzie Blackwood for a 1-0 lead.
It was Johnston's first goal in the playoffs.
The previous fastest goal to start a playoff game for the Stars was Jeff Halpern scoring 24 seconds into Game 2 of a first-round series against Vancouver on April 13, 2007.
Johnston became just the eighth player in NHL history to score within the first 9 seconds of a playoff game. The record was set by Don Kozak for the Los Angeles Kings, who scored 6 seconds into a game against Boston on April 17, 1977.
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