The Dallas Stars kicked off the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers in Dallas, Texas. Connor McDavid and the Oilers scored the game-winning goal and sunk the Stars 3-2 in Game 1 at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night. Edmonton leads the series 1-0 over Dallas.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Joe Pavelski, Mason Marchment, Matt Duchene, Chris Tanev, Esa Lindell, and Jake Oettinger. Oettinger made 35 saves in a losing effort. Meanwhile, Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner made 31 saves for a win.
There was some bad blood between the Stars and Oilers in the first period. Evander Kane was called for roughing Miro Heiskanen at 7:09, but Dallas couldn’t capitalize on the opening power play.
The Stars received their second power play. Dylan Holloway was called for holding against Jamie Benn at 18:28. Stuart Skinner made a noteworthy save on Tyler Seguin’s wrist shot at 19:34 to halt Dallas’ ability to capitalize on the man advantage.
The Stars and Oilers were scoreless after the first period. Dallas outshot Edmonton 7-3 after 20 minutes.
The Oilers finally got on the board early in the second period. Leon Draisaitl blasted a snap shot into the Stars’ net for a 1-0 lead at 00:58. Brett Kulak and Zach Hyman collected the assists on Draisaitl’s 12th of the playoffs.
The Oilers doubled their lead. Zach Hyman — the league’s leader in goals — fired a wrist shot into the Stars’ net to make it a 2-0 game at 4:17. Connor McDavid collected the lone assist on Hyman’s league-leading 12th of the playoffs.
The Stars finally got on the board. Tyler Seguin blasted a snap shot into the Oilers’ net to cut the lead in half, 2-1, at 6:11. Jamie Benn collected the lone assist on Seguin’s fourth of the playoffs.
The Stars received their third power play. Evan Bouchard was called for slashing against Sam Steel at 6:51, but Dallas couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage.
The Oilers received their first power play. The Stars were called for too many men on the ice at 18:43, but Edmonton couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage.
The Stars trailed the Oilers 2-1 after two periods. Dallas outshot Edmonton 17-16 through 40 minutes.
The Stars tied the game at two apiece late in the third period. Tyler Seguin fired a wrist shot into the Oilers’ net to tie the game 2-2 at 16:37. Evgenii Dadonov and Jason Robertson collected the assists on Seguin’s second of the night and fifth of the playoffs.
The Stars and Oilers were tied 2-2 after three periods. Edmonton outshot Dallas 29-24 after 60 minutes.
The Oilers created a controversial storyline in the overtime period, while the Stars received their fifth power play of the night. Connor McDavid was handed a four-minute double-minor after being called for high-sticking against Matt Duchene at 00:17, but Dallas couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage.
The Stars and Oilers were tied 2-2 after the overtime period. Edmonton outshot Dallas 37-33 after 80 minutes.
The Oilers scored the game-winning goal early in the double overtime period. Connor McDavid scored on a tip-in shot at 00:32 to lift the Oilers to a 3-2 win over the Stars. Edmonton outshot Dallas 38-33 after about 81 minutes.
Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Connor McDavid (2 points: 1 goal and 1 assist)
2. Tyler Seguin (2 points: 2 goals)
3. Zach Hyman (2 points: 1 goal and 1 assist)
Injury Update
Roope Hintz was out with an upper-body injury for Game 1. Stars head coach Pete DeBoer told the media he’s hopeful Hintz can return for Game 2.
In The Running
Stars GM Jim Nill was named a finalist for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year award.
Cheers to 30
Esa Lindell celebrated his 30th birthday on Thursday.
Up Next
The Stars and Oilers will meet again in Game 2 on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Central.
ITR 40: Headed For A Repeat? – Inside The Rink
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