Aiming for a third defensive-focused clean sheet, the high-scoring Edmonton Oilers have decided to hone in on their defense across four consecutive playoff games.
The Edmonton Oilers, renowned for their prolific goal-scoring, showcased their defensive prowess in Game 2 of the Western Conference final, blanking the Dallas Stars 3-0 and evening the series at 1-1. This victory came on the back of a third shutout in four games, a stark contrast from their dismal third period performance in Game 1, where Dallas scored five unanswered goals.
Editors and analysts had questioned whether the Oilers would need to score more than four goals per game to win the Stanley Cup due to their high-scoring nature in the first nine post-season games, outscoring opponents 39-34. However, captain Connor McDavid affirmed their defensive capabilities during a press conference, stating, "Yes, we can play defence."
McDavid emphasized the team's transformation, shifting away from their "run and gun" approach of previous years to a more defensive strategy. He highlighted the team's commitment to hard work, with forwards Soldiering on the offense and defense by aggressively hitting, blocking shots, and working together.
Stuart Skinner, who was replaced by Calvin Pickard for a six-game stretch earlier in the playoffs, earned his third shutout this post-season with a 25-save effort at American Airlines Center. Following the game, Skinner shared his thoughts on the defensive focus: "When you look at the teams that win, they're normally the teams that are pretty stifling defensively."
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Brett Kulak, and Connor Brown scored the Oilers' goals in Game 2. This marked the third consecutive series where the Oilers rebounded from a bad game – though it was only a single bad period in Game 1 – with a complete effort. This resilience has been a crucial factor in the Oilers' playoff success, as a 3-0 win in Game 4 followed a Game 3 loss in overtime against the Vegas Golden Knights, and a 7-4 victory responded to a 6-2 defeat against the Los Angeles Kings.
Zach Hyman, an Oilers forward, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of recovery in playoff hockey. "That's the playoffs. You've got to be able to punch back." The team's special teams, which struggled in Game 1, also improved, capitalizing on five power-play opportunities while keeping Dallas off the scoreboard on two attempts.
Despite a late scare when Darnell Nurse wacked Dallas forward Roope Hintz in front of Edmonton's net, resulting in Hintz's departure from the game, the Oilers managed to avoid significant penalties, unlike in Game 1, where Dallas scored three power-play goals in six minutes. Skinner explicitly mentioned focusing on minimizing traffic in front of his crease to address this issue.
The Oilers and Stars are now level at 1-1, just as they were in last year's Western Conference final, which concluded with a 4-2 series victory for Edmonton. The Oilers aim to carry this momentum into Game 3 and continue their defensive-minded strategy to secure wins and advance in the playoffs.
--Donna Spencer, Canadian Press (This report was first published May 24, 2025)
The Oilers' defensive focus, epitomized by stellar performances from goaltender Stuart Skinner and team members like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Brett Kulak, and Connor Brown, helped them secure a 3-0 shutout in Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars. Proving their ability to adapt, the Oilers have shifted from their traditional "run and gun" approach to a more defensive strategy, showcasing their versatility in the NHL.
