Oilers dominate Stars 6-1, take 2-1 series lead in Western Conference Final
The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 6-1 on Sunday, taking a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference final series.
Zach Hyman recorded two goals and an assist while Connor McDavid added two goals of his own in the victory.
Evan Bouchard contributed a goal and an assist, with John Klingberg also finding the net for Edmonton. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins registered three assists, giving him multipoint efforts in every game of the series.
Nugent-Hopkins became the only Oiler in franchise history besides Wayne Gretzky with more than one point in the first three games of a conference final.
“You have to have dominant nights, you have to have nights where maybe your goalie is better than theirs,” McDavid said. “You have to find ways to win different games different ways and we did again tonight.”
Stuart Skinner made 33 saves in the Edmonton net, improving to 4-4 in postseason play. This marked his first playoff victory that wasn’t a shutout.
“For him, to be able to battle back the way he has is just really impressive,” said Hyman. “I think a lot of people were counting him out and he came in and has been phenomenal and a big reason we’re up 2-1.”
Skinner initially struggled to start the postseason and was replaced by backup Calvin Pickard, only to return when Pickard was injured.
“I’m proud of myself for going through everything I’ve had to go through personally,” said Skinner, who has allowed just one goal in his last two outings. “It takes a lot of courage to keep on getting up. Especially as a goaltender. If you talk to any goalie, that’s just the game. You get hit down so many times and you’ve got to keep on getting up.”
The Oilers have won two straight since their third-period collapse in Game 1 in Dallas.
Jason Robertson scored the lone goal for the Stars, who are trying to avoid being eliminated in the third round by the Oilers for a second consecutive season.
Dallas played without forward Roope Hintz, who was tied for second in team scoring entering the game. Hintz had to be helped off the ice late in the third period of Game 2 after being slashed on the top of the left foot by Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.
“Tonight, we’re without our No. 1 center, we’re on the road here in a tough environment. I thought we played a really good hockey game for a good stretch of that game,” said Stars coach Pete DeBoer.
“So, there’s nothing to get emotional or upset about, I think you have to be realistic with your group. I liked our compete tonight, I liked a lot of parts of our game and we’ve got to build on that and hopefully get Roope Hintz back and get back in this series.
“We don’t have to win three games in this building, we’ve just got to win one and win our home games.”
Jake Oettinger stopped 18 shots for Dallas, falling to 5-10 in his career in Western Conference final contests.
Game 4 will be in Edmonton on Tuesday.
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