Game 1 of the Western Conference Final between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers turned out to be like two different games.
The first two periods were dictated by the Oilers, who showed superiority and looked unstoppable. They quickly built a 3-1 lead, and the only Stars goal in this segment was scored by Tyler Seguin on a clean breakaway.
However, for Edmonton, the negative trend in their penalty killing continued. Their special teams previously allowed seven goals in the first three games against the Los Angeles Kings and three in two games against Vegas. In Game 1 of the conference final, their penalty kill became a lifeline for the Stars, who looked discouraged after trailing 3-1 by the end of the second period. Miro Heiskanen, Mikael Granlund, and Matt Duchene all scored power-play goals within the first 5:58 of the third period to rally Dallas to a 4-3 lead. The Stars never looked back, ultimately taking Game 1 by a final score of 6-3.
How did both teams perform? What are the big questions facing each team ahead of Game 2 on Friday night?
Edmonton Oilers
Grade: C-
The Oilers had control of the game, only to let the victory slip away.
Edmonton had a week off after defeating Vegas in five games in the second round. Initially, the Oilers looked well-rested and played a relatively clean road game despite the long layoff. Edmonton made one mistake in the first period, letting Tyler Seguin get free on a breakaway which he converted for a tying goal, but other than that, Edmonton displayed a strong defensive effort to keep the Stars at bay through 40 minutes. The Oilers` power play, as Connor McDavid predicted, finally showed up, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scoring Edmonton`s first road power-play goal of the postseason to give the Oilers a 2-1 lead, which they extended to 3-1 heading into the third period. That`s when everything fell apart.
Edmonton gave up three power-play goals in less than six minutes, finding themselves in a one-goal deficit from which they never recovered. The Oilers could have responded on special teams themselves but failed to convert their own third-period opportunities, finishing 1-for-3 with the man advantage overall. Edmonton`s bench was understandably deflated even before Seguin scored a late empty-net goal to seal the Stars` victory. It was a game of two halves for the Oilers, and the worse version of the team ultimately prevailed.
Dallas Stars
Grade: B+
The Stars` power play deserves an A-plus. It was truly outstanding, the star of Game 1. Dallas was struggling significantly against McDavid and Leon Draisaitl until their three power-play goals at the start of the third period. The Stars became the second team since 1934 (when goals by type were first tracked) to score three power-play goals in the opening six minutes of a playoff period. They were the first team to score three power-play goals in the third period of a playoff game since the San Jose Sharks scored four in Game 7 against the Golden Knights in 2019 – incidentally, when Peter DeBoer was the Sharks` head coach.
The rest of the Stars` game gets a C-plus. The first two periods were concerning against Edmonton, with defensive breakdowns and high-danger chances given to the Oilers. Edmonton looked like a team that had won eight of its last nine playoff games. The Stars allowed Stuart Skinner to be much too comfortable. However, the third period belongs in a museum, not only for the power-play goals but also for a crucial penalty kill against the Oilers, Sam Steel`s dagger goal, and another strong final stanza from goalie Jake Oettinger, who saved all six shots he faced.
It`s a significant win, especially considering teams that win Game 1 of a best-of-seven Stanley Cup playoff series have advanced 68% of the time. But not every game will feature the lack of discipline shown by the Oilers in the third period or the same level of power-play success for the Stars. Dallas needs to improve its overall game, but the good news is that the Stars secured the win in a game where they weren`t quite at their best.
Three Stars of Game 1
1. Tyler Seguin, W, Stars
Two goals and an assist, including the game-opening goal for Dallas, his first breakaway goal since November, and the team`s fourth this postseason, the most of any team so far.
2. Miro Heiskanen, D, Stars
One goal and an assist. His 13th career multipoint game in the playoffs, tied with Sergei Zubov for the most by a defenseman in Stars/North Stars history.
3. Power-play goals
The Oilers converted 1-of-3 opportunities, while the Stars capitalized on 3-of-4. Dallas scored three consecutive power-play goals in the third period, their most in the third period of a playoff game in Stars/North Stars history.
Players to watch in Game 2
Stuart Skinner, G, Oilers
The Oilers` goaltender has had an inconsistent postseason, moving from the team`s starter to backup and then regaining the No. 1 role. Skinner appeared focused early against the Stars but then looked shaky down the stretch, much like the rest of his team. Dallas` fourth goal seemed particularly poorly tracked by Skinner, who reacted slowly as Duchene scored the eventual game-winner. Skinner continued to appear rattled afterward, showing less of the confidence he had displayed earlier.
Calvin Pickard, who temporarily took over as the starter in the first round, did not travel with the Oilers as he continues to recover from an injury sustained in Game 2 against Vegas. The pressure will be on Skinner to bounce back and get Edmonton back on track in Game 2.
Wyatt Johnston, C, Stars
Many previously quiet sticks came alive in Game 1 when Dallas needed them: Seguin, Duchene, and Steel all scored in the Stars` stunning win. But one player who remains notably quiet, considering his reputation as a playoff standout, is Johnston, the team`s excellent 22-year-old center. His Game 3 goal in a 5-2 victory over Winnipeg was his only point of that series, and he didn`t register any in Dallas` comeback against Edmonton. The concern for Dallas is that he hasn`t contributed much defensively either, struggling in that regard. Draisaitl beat him cleanly on Edmonton`s first goal. Depth is already crucial in this series. The Stars could greatly benefit from Johnston adding more to that depth.
Big questions for Game 2
Can the Oilers clean up their act?
Edmonton was in control of Game 1 until penalty troubles undermined their positive efforts. Will that significant lack of discipline become a factor again in Game 2? The Stars were remarkably effective, converting 3-for-4 with the extra attacker on Wednesday, which is not surprising given their success on the power play throughout the regular season and playoffs. Dallas entered this series with the third-best power play in the postseason (30.8%) and the best among the remaining teams, while Edmonton had the third-worst penalty kill (66.7%). That`s a difficult battle for the Oilers to win when they are consistently taking penalties. Dallas proved (repeatedly) that they will make Edmonton pay for every mistake, and Edmonton made too many in Game 1.
Is it time to worry about the Finnish Mafia?
The Stars wouldn`t be in the Western Conference Final without Mikko Rantanen. And he wouldn`t have entered this round leading the playoffs in scoring without the chemistry he developed with fellow Finns Mikael Granlund and Roope Hintz. But this line hasn`t produced an even-strength goal since Game 5 against the Winnipeg Jets. Granted, the three were clicking on the power play in the third period, with Granlund scoring and Hintz and Rantanen assisting on Duchene`s goal. You`d take that contribution every day. But Dallas was at its most dominant earlier in the playoffs when this line was driving the offense. The Stars are facing two generational talents in McDavid and Draisaitl. They have a superstar of their own in Rantanen. He needs to bring that level of excellence at 5-on-5.
