Edmonton faces off equitably against Dallas in the semifinal round.
Edmonton Oilers Continue Playoff Push After 3-0 Win Over Dallas Stars
Dallas (dpa) - In a bid to capture the title in the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers secured a crucial 3-0 victory over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final. The best-of-seven series is now leveled at 1-1 following an initial loss for the Oilers (3-6).
Leon Draisaitl played a decisive role once again, setting up the power-play goal for Evan Bouchard, which was later deflected into the net by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for an early lead (6'). Draisaitl, the 29-year-old, has accumulated a total of 20 points in 13 playoff games of the season.
In the second period, Brett Kulak capitalized on a rebound (36') to establish a two-goal advantage, with Connor Brown following suit moments later, converting a deflection from Nugent-Hopkins for the final margin (37').
Goaltender Stuart Skinner was a pivotal factor in the Oilers' success, stopping 25 shots and recording his third shutout of the postseason, a significant achievement after Dallas won seven consecutive games at home in the American Airlines Center.
Following the second of two away games, Edmonton will now host the Stars for two consecutive home games, with the series set to resume on Sunday (9 pm, CEST).
Enrichment Data:- The Western Conference Final stands at 2-1 in favor of the Edmonton Oilers, following a 6-1 victory in Game 3. The series began with the Dallas Stars winning Game 1.- Key contributors in the game included Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, each scoring two goals, while Stuart Skinner made 33 saves to improve his playoff record to 4-4.- While Leon Draisaitl contributed to the victory, specific details about his performance in the search results were not provided.- Stuart Skinner did not achieve a shutout in Game 3, allowing one goal, but has been outstanding, particularly in his last two games, allowing only one goal in each. Skinner's resilience and performance have been highlighted throughout the postseason.
Following the Edmonton Oilers' 3-0 win over the Dallas Stars, Leon Draisaitl showcased his influence once more, setting up a power-play goal for Evan Bouchard that was deflected in by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. In the NHL's Western Conference final, the Oilers aim to build on their lead, with their next matches against the Stars being in the NHL, specifically hockey games in the NHL's playoffs.
