Stars' Wyatt Johnston Aims to Flip the Script on Slow Start, Past Struggles vs. Sabres

BUFFALO — Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston has a chance to turn his early-season fortunes around on Thursday, but he'll need to do it in a somewhat complex setting in game four of the season.

Johnston, 23, has just one assist and no goals through the Stars' first three games, a mixed start for one of the team's top offensive players. He'll face the Buffalo Sabres in a game that carries some extra meaning, as the Toronto native will be playing relatively close to home and will likely have family and friends in the building.

The matchup also comes with some unfavorable history as in eight career games against the Sabres, Johnston has just three goals and no assists. Still, when asked by The Hockey News whether he prepared any differently heading into Thursday, Johnston said he isn't focused on his personal numbers. 

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His priority is helping the team win games, and he believes the counting stats will come as long as he continues to play his game and do the right things. When asked about his past struggles against Buffalo, Johnston explained that he tries not to overthink any one opponent and instead approaches each night with the goal of playing his best.

"Every game is different, although it's the same teams and same systems, every team is different," Johnston said. "So for me to have all the information to prescout and all that, but it's just coming in and doing what I can to best help the team win."

Johnston is coming off a breakout season in which he posted 45 goals and 41 assists for 86 points, setting career highs across the board and breaking the Stars' all-time record for power-play goals in a season with 27, which led the NHL by seven over the next closest player.

With Dallas looking to build on its 5-0 win over San Jose, Thursday presents Johnston with an opportunity to break out in more ways than one, and it should make for an interesting storyline heading into the game.

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