Kraken hoping healthy McCann can regain form in Game 5 of West 2nd Round

DALLAS -- Jared McCann started to look like his old self for the Seattle Kraken when he returned against the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of the Western Conference Second Round on Tuesday.

The forward finished with three shots on goal and two takeaways in 13:11 of ice time in a 6-3 loss. He had been out since sustaining an undisclosed injury in Game 4 of the first round against the Colorado Avalanche on April 24.

Those who know McCann best say he will regain his form soon, perhaps as early as Game 5 at American Airlines Center on Thursday (9:30 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS).

The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2.

"He looked good last game, and I really think he's going to be even better next game," Seattle forward Oliver Bjorkstrand said. "He's really valuable, obviously. He scored 40 goals. He's a goal-scorer, and he brings more to his game than that. It's always hard coming back after being out a few games, especially in the playoffs."

The 40 goals were an NHL career high for McCann, who has 275 points (133 goals, 142 assists) in 506 regular-season games with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Kraken.

Along with leading the Kraken in goals, McCann led them in the regular season in points (70), power-play points (16), power-play goals (seven) and short-handed goals (three) in 79 games.

RELATED: [Complete Stars vs. Kraken series coverage]

McCann entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the top line with center Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle. In Game 4, he started on the fourth line with Brandon Tanev and Ryan Donato and was on a line with several players throughout the game, including Beniers and Eberle.

"The first couple of shifts it was a little tough, but toward the end I felt really good," McCann said. "I missed the guys. Just wish I kind of could come back in better circumstances."

McCann regaining his form as quickly as possible will be critical if Seattle hopes to advance to the conference final.

"As you'd expect, coming off a couple of weeks layover, jumping into this level, his game improved as the 60-minute hockey game wore on. I look for him to continue doing that," said Kraken coach Dave Hakstol, who wouldn't say if McCann would play with Donato and Tanev again in Game 5.

"He's obviously an important player for us and a guy who fits in well with a lot of the areas that we need him in, power play, penalty kill, as well as 5-on-5."

The Kraken weathered McCann's absence, but they're a stronger team with him back in the lineup.

"Huge part of the team," goalie Philipp Grubauer said. "We need him on the ice. He can score and plays a lot of minutes, obviously important minutes, and that's where we need him. We [found] a way without him, but glad to have him back."