Corey Perry Eyes Fourth Straight Game With Points as He Stays Hot Entering Game 4: Game Notes Presented by Dirty Laundry
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are built on momentum, and right now, Corey Perry is riding a wave worth watching. As the veteran winger enters Game 4 of this highly anticipated first-round series, he brings with him not just his years of postseason experience, but a three-game point streak that has made him one of the more consistent producers on the ice. With the series finely balanced and emotions running high, Perry’s ability to deliver in key moments could play a major role in tipping the scales. Presented by Dirty Laundry Winery, these are your Game 4 notes and narratives as we head into what could be a turning point in this playoff battle.
Perry, known as much for his physical edge as his timely scoring touch, has found a groove that’s proving frustrating for defenders and energizing for teammates. At 38 years old, the forward has rediscovered his scoring touch just when it matters most. After registering assists in Game 1 and Game 2 and adding a goal in Game 3, Perry is reminding everyone that playoff pedigree matters. His current form mirrors flashes of the prime years that earned him a Hart Trophy and a Stanley Cup earlier in his career.
More importantly, his contributions aren’t coming in garbage time or in inconsequential moments. Perry has been at the center of key momentum shifts, whether it’s extending a forecheck that leads to a scoring opportunity or capitalizing on a rebound when his team needs it most. The streak may be just three games on paper, but in context, it’s a rhythm that has given his team a lift.
His impact goes beyond the stat sheet. Perry has been vocal on the bench, guiding younger players through the emotional rollercoaster of playoff hockey. For some of the team’s less experienced skaters, having a player who has seen it all before is a calming and empowering presence. Coaches have taken note, not only giving Perry ice time in high-leverage situations but also pairing him with linemates who benefit from his ability to dictate pace and positioning.
This version of Perry is the one general managers dream about when they sign proven veterans for playoff runs. The wear-and-tear of an 82-game season might slow most players down, but Perry has found a way to dial in at the right time. Game 4 offers another stage on which to shine, and if the first three games of the series are any indication, he’s more than ready to answer the call.
Defensively, Perry’s effort has been just as notable. While he’s not a shutdown forward by trade, his ability to anticipate passing lanes and apply pressure without taking unnecessary penalties has helped neutralize opposing threats. His backchecking has led to a handful of turnovers in the neutral zone—subtle plays that don’t always make the highlight reels but make a massive difference in playoff outcomes.
Perry’s linemates have also benefited. The added attention he draws from defenders has created room for his line to maneuver. Whether it’s a quick cycle off the wall or a dish into the slot, Perry’s spatial awareness is opening up more attacking options. In tight-checking games, every inch matters, and Perry’s experience helps find those extra inches.
As the teams prepare for Game 4, Perry’s leadership will once again be critical. His voice carries weight in the locker room, not because he demands it, but because he’s earned it. Teammates listen when he speaks, whether it’s about staying composed after a bad shift or ramping up the energy during intermissions. His tone has struck the right balance between urgency and calm, and that mindset has permeated the dressing room.
Game 4 is expected to be another physically intense, emotionally charged contest. The series has already featured its share of scrums, big hits, and chirping—hallmarks of playoff hockey. In that environment, a player like Perry thrives. He knows how to play on the edge without going over it, and he understands the psychological value of agitation. One well-timed shove or clever comment can throw an opponent off their game. Perry has been using every tool at his disposal, from the tape on his stick to the words in his head.
Opposing teams are certainly aware. In Game 3, the defense was visibly tighter on Perry, but it didn’t matter. His ability to absorb contact and maintain puck possession remains elite. He may not have the burst of a decade ago, but he more than compensates with timing and physical savvy. Those subtle shifts in position, the way he shields the puck or chips it to a teammate under pressure—those are details that win playoff games.
Beyond Perry, his team will need to match his consistency. The top-six forwards have had their moments, but depth scoring and special teams could be the ultimate difference makers in Game 4. The power play, for instance, has shown glimpses of cohesion but hasn’t yet reached its full potential. Perry has been deployed in front of the net on the man advantage, a role he relishes, and one where he excels at tipping pucks and screening goaltenders. A power-play breakthrough in Game 4 could hinge on his presence.
In five-on-five play, the coaching staff has been pleased with Perry’s chemistry with his line. They’ve experimented with combinations throughout the season, but this stretch has revealed a productive mix that complements Perry’s current form. Expect to see him featured prominently again in key situations—late-game faceoffs, after icing calls, and during stretches where a veteran’s composure can steady the group.
Perry’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time. His experience bridges the gap between youthful energy and tactical awareness. In a playoff setting where every shift is scrutinized and every mistake magnified, Perry’s margin for error is thinner than ever. And yet, he’s performing like someone whose prime has been extended just a little longer by sheer will and smarts.
Goaltending will also be crucial in Game 4, and while Perry won’t be stopping shots, his influence on the forecheck could force turnovers and second-chance opportunities that put pressure on the opposing netminder. His knack for getting under defenders’ skin and forcing hurried decisions has already paid dividends. If he can continue to cause chaos around the crease, more scoring chances are likely to follow.
No one in the room is surprised by Perry’s performance. The coaching staff believed he had another playoff gear in him. Teammates had seen the work he put in behind the scenes—extra reps at practice, studying film, treating recovery as seriously as conditioning. Those elements don’t show up in a box score, but they form the foundation of the streak he’s on now.
What Perry brings isn’t just about this series either. It’s about culture. It’s about setting a standard for what playoff hockey should look like. Young players observe how he prepares, how he reacts to adversity, how he celebrates the small victories. That’s leadership by example, and it’s impossible to measure but invaluable to a team with aspirations of going deep.
As Game 4 draws near, the stakes rise. The series can tilt in either direction, and every detail, every battle, every bounce will matter. Corey Perry knows that better than most. He’s lived the highs and lows of playoff hockey. He’s lifted the Cup, felt the sting of elimination, and battled through injury just for another shot at glory. Right now, with the puck finding his stick and his confidence surging, he looks poised to keep making an impact.
The arena will be electric, the fans hungry, the opponents desperate. That’s when Perry has always been at his best—when the moment demands more, and he finds a way to deliver. If he can extend his point streak to four games and help his team seize control of the series, it’ll be another chapter in a career that refuses to fade quietly.
Dirty Laundry Winery is proud to present your Game 4 notes, and no note may be more important than this one: Corey Perry is heating up at the right time. Keep an eye on No. 94 when the puck drops—he might just be the difference again.