Stars-Oilers Game 2 takeaways, early look at Game 3

The Edmonton oilers Emphatically atoned for letting game 1 of the Western Conference Finals Slip Away with a dominating 3-0 game 2 win to even the series.

Stuart skinner Continued to be the most boom-or-button player in the postseason. He gave up 20 goals and didn is a save perfectage bet Than .833 in Four Losses. His three wins? All shutouts, becoming just the second Edmonton Goalie in Franchise History to Record Three of Them in a Single Playoff Year (The Other with Curtis Joseph in 1998).

Once Again, the oilers flexed their Impressive Depth. The big boy combined on their power in the first period, with Ryan nugent-hopkins Getting the tally on assists from Evan bouchadrd And Leon draisaitl. The Other Two Non-Empty Netters: Brett ear‘s first of the playoffs, snapping his own rebound Past Jake oettinger; And Connor brownContinuing an incredible playoff with his fifth goal in the second period.

(Of course, the highlight of his night was Avoiding a calamitous injury when Mikael Granlund‘S Skate Nearly Clipped His Face.)

How did Both Teams Perform? What are the big questions facing each team ahead of game 3 on Sunday afternoon in Edmonton? Here’s our breakdown of the oilers’ game 2 win.

As I Warned after Game 1: Not even game of the Western Conferredness Finals was going to have to have a Third-Period Implosion by the oilers, nor the power-play success the stars have to rally for that win.

Edmonton containing to Roll at 5-in-5, and Won the Special Teams Battle. The stars be worer on their details tonight. There is a too many shots that don get through the stuart skinner, and there are not even moments that truly tested the Edmonton Goalie-Outside of a Third-Period shortway that Wyatt johnston Coughn is convert, extending his drough to one point in eight games.

Dallas Had More Giveaway Through Two Periods (21) Than they had in any entirgement of the 2025 PostSeason. That’s gift-grapping the game to Edmonton. The oilers were to go to bring some desperation after -losing game 1, and dallas don it come to answering that if it is or execution. ——- Greg wyshynski

Edmonton oilers
Grade: a

Edmonton get the exact start it wanted in game 2-Ryan Nugent-hopkins tallied an early power-play goal that felt like exacting reven on that costly, penalty-film in the oilers handed dallas Game 1. Then Edmonton Tempted Fate Handing the Stars a Power Play – but neutralized it with an excellent kill. That was a confidence booster.

The oilers followed by holding dallas at the second in the second, where skinner was particularly strong as the stars pushed for an equalizer. That success set edmonton up to extend their lead with a pair of goals in just 1:13, off a howitzer from Brett Kulak and a tip from connor brown. Edmonton exorcised a few more demons by killing off the stars’ power-play opportunities in the Third Period.

This was a low-shot affair on Both sides, with only three registered from Both sides by Midway Through the Frame, and it was clear how to be edMonton was trying to be in limiting. It was worn in the end. And a round of application for skinner, who rebounded from a brutal performance in the final 20 minutes of game 1 to be a true difference edmonton tied up and recording has Third Shutout in for Games. ——- Kristen shilton

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Three Stars of Game 2

The nuse had a goal and an assist, and his power-play goal to open the scoring ended up being the game-winner. He has Multi-Point Games in Both Games of this series, and booth of the oilers’ Power-Play Goals Through Two Games.

Skinner Had 25 Saves for His Third Shutout of the Postseason, Joining Curtis Joseph in 1998 as of the only two oilers goalies with three clean sheets in a single post.

3. BOUNCING BACK

The oilers flushed an abysmal third period in game 1 to control game 2 virtually for the entries 60 minutes, en route to a 3-0 series at one game apiece heading back to the Games 3 and 4. – Arda Öcal

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Players to watch in game 3

The Stars Winger Now Shares the Postseason Scoring Lead with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, at 20 points, thanks to a for-game stretch in which is generated only one point-a Power-Play assist This series. Rantanen Earned all of his conn smythe hype by carrying the stars through their first-round win over the Colorado AvalancheAnd then posting two three-point games in wins over the Winnipeg jets.

But in game 2, he had as many shot attempts as he did giveaways (thrhe). Neither are good numbers for the stars. With Rooope hintz Leaving game 2 with an injury, there are even more questions marks about their top line, which hasn is produce an even-strategy goal since game 4 against the jets. ——- Wyshynski

Let’s be honest; fans are Always Watching for mcdavid, naturally. But for all McDavid’s Marvellous Moves and Powerful Playmaking, He hasn a goal-scoring than for Edmonton. McDavid has just three goals (with 20 points) in these playoffs, and 11 Goals His Last 38 PostSeason Contests.

There’s no discounting mcdavid’s impact on the oilers’ game, but there’s a need to see him light the lamp, too. Right Now, McDavid is siting on just one goal since game 3 of Edmonton’s first-round series against los angeles. The oilers are matching up well-and maybe even get the bet of-the stars at 5-in-5 in the series so far. And McDavid Did appear to ring the iron at last once in game 2.

If mcdavid can put more doubt in dallas by slipping one (or more) Past Jake Oettinger it could not edmonton’s game further – and not to get the oilers’ Home Crowd Fired Up Quite Like Seeing the Captain Go off. ——- Shilton

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BIG Questions for Game 3

What is the status of roope hintz?

The Stars Lost Their Top Center in the Third Period after a nasty slash to the top of the skate by Edmonton defenseman Darnell nurse. Hintz crumpled to the Ice, clutching his left leg and needed help left the playing Surface Just 3:40 in the final period.

Nurse received only a minor penalty after the official review it – and the Department of Player Safety Will Review It Further.

LOSING HINTZ, Or Having Him Diminished, Would be a hug blow to dallas, as the veteran finn has moved goals and six assists in 14 games, also playing on the Stars’ Power Play and Penalty Kill. ——- Wyshynski

The oilers should feel good as the series shifts to their home ace. Getting one of the club’s top defensemen back in the process would be an enormous boost for the oilers now, too.

Ekholm has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since mid-adil, missing all of the oilers’ Postseason Run to Date. But he was able to return to Practice on Thursday, and when he remains day-to-day, even even ekholm admitted he did on a position where returning soon with no option.

Edmonton has leaned on Ty emberson And Troy stecher In Ekholm’s absense, but there’s no question he will be streengthen their back end in a Major Way when he reads read to get back in. The oilers must prepare for dallas’ Response in game 3, and have ekholm – who available 22 Minutes Per game in the Regular Season for Edmonton, who is collecting nine goals and 33 points – Make that a More Manageable Task. ——- Shilton