The Western Conference finals headed to Edmonton for the first of two games Sunday afternoon.
The series was tied 1-1 after Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner shut out the Dallas Stars in Game 2 in Dallas.
The Stars lost top-line forward Roope Hintz in Game 2 after Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse slashed his foot. He was unavailable for Game 3, and his absence was felt. Edmonton, although not dominant in the box score, made the most of its chances, while Dallas could not finish its opportunities … which would’ve been much easier to do with Hintz on the ice.
Edmonton won Game 3 by a final of 6-1 thanks to two goals from both Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.
Here’s everything that went down in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars.
Oilers vs. Stars highlights
FINAL: Oilers 6, Stars 1
What was a back-and-forth game for most of the first 40 minutes turned into a blowout in the final 20, with the Oilers doubling their goal totals from the first two periods in the third. Two scores from Zach Hyman as well as a very late tally from John Klingberg make this game look much more lopsided than it was.
In reality, the Dallas Stars had more shots, won more faceoffs, and won the turnover battle. They also had several scoring chances that didn’t amount to anything. If Dallas could’ve gotten a few lucky bounces or perhaps found twine instead of metal on a few occasions, this game could’ve ended up in a much different result.
Edmonton now leads the series 2-1. Game 4 is set for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 27.
Hyman adds another
If 4-1 wasn’t enough to secure the win, maybe another goal from Hyman, this one a tip-in off a terrific feed from Evander Kane, would do the trick. With just eight minutes left in the game, Hyman was able to put the nail in the coffin, giving Edmonton a nearly insurmountable four-goal lead.
Zach Hyman makes it 4-1
As if on cue, the Oilers didn’t take long to make their mark coming out of the locker room. Just three minutes into the final period, Zach Hyman was able to net the Oilers’ fourth goal of the night from the right circle.
Ironically, Dallas was all over the Edmonton net just moments before Hyman’s goal, but as was the case for most of the second period, Dallas was unable to finish and that gave Edmonton all the space it needed to retaliate.
End 2nd: Oilers 3, Stars 1
The second period wasn’t the prettiest for the Oilers, but they’ve retained their two-goal advantage thanks to an unassisted goal from none other than Connor McDavid, his second of the night. With just 18 seconds to go in the period, McDavid was able to maneuver through the Dallas defense and flick a snap shot from the right circle through Jake Oettinger. Given how well Dallas played in that period, the Stars have to feel demoralized heading into the locker room. They totally outplayed the Oilers yet still find themselves down two.
Edmonton wastes two power plays; Dallas takes advantage
Edmonton was gifted everything it could want on a golden platter in the second period. Two consecutive minor penalties gave the Oilers the man advantage for four minutes straight. The Oilers couldn’t score, though. In fact, they only got two shots off throughout the four minutes, wasting away their best opportunities of the second period.
Dallas was playing phenomenal defense, and its efforts on the penalty kill yielded stellar results when just a few moments later, a wrist shot from Lian Bichsel got the Stars their first goal of the game.
Bichsel’s goal came on Dallas’ 15th shot of the period. It had been peppering the Edmonton net all period long and finally, its efforts came to fruition. Perhaps the ice is tilted toward that end because it was Edmonton in control in the first, but the second has been all Dallas.
Stars with all the momentum at start of 2nd
While the Stars could not capitalize on their power play, Dallas still managed to pepper the Edmonton goal in the first four minutes, resulting in three shots on goal, a crossbar, and a few shots that would have had an opportunity if Edmonton hadn’t blocked them. Dallas obviously had a huge advantage out the gate being a man up, but even after Kapanen returned to the ice, Dallas maintained possession and momentum for a long while before play was stopped. If this holds up, Dallas will make up some ground on the Oilers sooner than later.
End 1st: Oilers 2, Stars 0
It was a rather slow first period until it wasn’t. Edmonton’s two goals within a minute of one another broke apart what would’ve been a tense, but unexciting first 20 minutes. The Stars have tallied only nine shots on goal so far, but should have some opportunity to increase that number at the start of the second period after Kasperi Kapanen closed out the first with a high-sticking penalty with only three seconds left on the clock. Dallas will start the second with the man advantage, giving the Stars their best chance yet to draw closer to the Oilers.
Oilers break Game 3 open with quick goals
After a slow start to the first period with only eight shots between both teams through the first seven minutes, the Oilers finally found the back of the net with less than six minutes to go. Unsurprisingly, it was Evan Bouchard who lit the lamp first with his sixth goal of the postseason, a slap shot from the right side that found its way through Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger.
The goal came on Edmonton’s 10th shot of the game, and just one shot and 36 seconds later it was Connor McDavid getting in on the action with a goal of his own from the right circle to double Edmonton’s lead. The Oilers were gifted that opportunity with a counterattack 3-on-1 almost immediately after the faceoff following their first goal.
Dallas may have had the bulk of the scoring chances in the first 10 minutes, but it’s been all Edmonton ever since. The Oilers lead 2-0.
What time is Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars Game 3?
Game 3 of the Stars-Oilers series is at 3 p.m. in Edmonton, Alberta.
How to watch Stars vs. Oilers NHL playoff game: TV, stream
Time: 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. local
Location: Rogers Place (Edmonton, Albera)
TV: ABC
Stream: ESPN+, Fubo
Watch Stars vs. Oilers Game 3 on Fubo
Odds, lines for Oilers vs. Stars Game 3:
*All odds via BetMGM
Spread: Oilers (-1.5)
Moneyline: Oilers (-165); Stars (+140)
Over/Under: 6.5
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
