The Dallas Stars stayed undefeated on their current homestand in the most improbable fashion Tuesday night beating the New Jersey Devils 4-3 with a last gasp goal from Thomas Harley.

The Devils had fought all the way back from a 3-1 third period deficit with a power play goal and a tying goal with a delayed penalty upcoming on Dallas. But with less than four seconds left, Harley fired a wrist shot past the glove hand of Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom to seal the win with what was essentially a walk-off goal.

It was the latest in a string of good wins out of the Four Nations break for Dallas, and another heartbreaking setback for the Devils. New Jersey had lost star forward and heartbeat of the team Jack Hughes to a shoulder injury against Vegas on Sunday, and now with the Eastern Conference playoff race tightening up, the loss without securing a point seems crushing.

Another win for backup goaltender Casey DeSmith is proving that the off-season signing by Jim Nill was exactly what Dallas needed. DeSmith provided great saves throughout the game to stymie some high quality Devils chances.

It did not take the Stars long to get the offense going in the first period, picking up where they have left off since coming back from the Four Nations Face-Off break. Coming into this game, they had scored 24 goals in the five games since resuming the season, including two back-to-back games of putting up six goals. Wyatt Johnston opened up the scoring less than two minutes into the first, giving him four goals in the last two games. He has looked unstoppable when he's on the ice, making his slow start look like the glow of a tail light in the distance. 

In his first game back after taking a hit up high against the New York Islanders, Lian Bichsel was back to making statements with his physicality. The period ended with the shots on goal almost even 10-9. DeSmith had some huge saves that kept the score sheet clean for Dallas.

Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton was shaken up at the end of the first period and did not return for the remainder of the game.

The Devils started to push back in the second period, but Dallas was able to get a needed two-goal cushion. Ilya Lyubushkin found himself on a two-on-one and sniped one past Jacob Markstrom, marking his first goal as a Dallas Star and his first goal since March 15, 2023. There was a bigger celebration from his teammates than by Lyubushkin for the milestone, but it was also a massive goal for the Stars.

Soon after the goal, Mikael Granlund was called for holding and in typical Stars fashion, gave up an answer soon after scoring. Timo Meier got New Jersey on the board 39 seconds into their power play, which has had success in the two games against Dallas. 

The Stars found themselves with the script flipped on them for the remainder of the period, spending a lot of time in their zone, and DeSmith was having to fend off an influx of shots. Near the last minute of the period, Johnathan Kovacevic sent a puck over the glass and earned himself a trip to the box, and then 30 seconds into the power-play, Matt Duchene took a hard slash to the hands by Luke Hughes, and suddenly Dallas had a short 5-on-3 before the periods end. Markstrom had some words for Duchene as he skated back towards the bench, with Duchene holding up what appeared to be a bloody finger as evidence to squash any trash talking.

It took the Stars no time to cash in and make it 3-1. Roope Hintz tallied his 25th goal of the season from the door step on a wonderful tic-tac-toe passing play. Hintz had three more points Tuesday, making it 11 points in the last three games for the Finn. Dallas went into the final frame with 1:35 left of the man-advantage.

The remainder of the penalty expired at the start of the third period, and DeSmith made a two-on-one save a few minutes later to keep Dallas ahead by two. But New Jersey took advantage of another power play as Nico Hischier tipped a point shot through DeSmith to cut the lead to one goal.

Then, with less than five minutes remaining, Brett Pesce scored only his second goal of the season to tie the game after a delayed penalty call had the Stars scrambling and numerous bodies flailing in front of the net. New Jersey celebrated like they had won the game, showing how much it meant to fight back and potentially earn at least one or two points without their best player.

But Harley's heartbreaker was the dagger in the Devils back, and even after New Jersey had some looks to win the game in the final couple of minutes. It was a clear last chance for anyone to win, and the ever-improving 23-year-old put another feather in his cap of game-winners over the past two seasons.

The Stars look to finish their homestand unbeaten Thursday when they have to find a way to follow up that excitement against the Calgary Flames.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Stars Look to Maintain Hot Streak As They Close In on Jets

Stars Use Special Teams to Rout Kings

Stars Aim for Victory in Season Series Finale Against Kings

Bourque Aims to Extend Hot Streak in Upcoming Match Against Kings

• Follow Taylor on Twitter: @THN_taylor