The Western Convention Remaining began Wednesday evening with the Dallas Stars beating the Edmonton Oilers, 6-3. Listed below are some key takeaways from the Stars’ Recreation 1 win in Dallas.
Stars’ rally made it clear they do not worry the Oilers
The Oilers eradicated the Stars in six video games in final postseason’s Western Convention Remaining after Dallas blew a 2-1 lead within the sequence.
“I believe clearly the carryover remains to be there,” Dallas left winger Jamie Benn stated earlier than Recreation 1, via NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Costonika. “We bear in mind what occurred final 12 months. However clearly, we have now each been via a brand new season. We introduced in numerous gamers. They introduced in numerous gamers. So, completely new rivalry, I assume, for this 12 months that we’re trying ahead to.”
When Edmonton led 2-1 on the finish of the second interval, it appeared Dallas was nonetheless reeling from final season’s loss. Nonetheless, the Stars rebounded within the third interval, scoring 5 targets.
The comeback might show pivotal for the Stars. It reveals their previous struggles in opposition to the Oilers might not be lingering, and so they can maintain gaining momentum.
Oilers’ energy play remains to be a large downside
The Oilers’ energy play has been inconsistent all through the playoffs. In its first 11 postseason video games, Edmonton had simply six power-play targets.
As soon as once more, it was an issue in Recreation 1 in opposition to Dallas. The Oilers had three energy performs, scoring on one. The Stars, in the meantime, netted three power-play targets on 4 alternatives.
Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse acknowledged they have to play to their strengths till they resolve their power-play points.
“Our five-on-five recreation was actually good. We gotta use it extra,” Nurse stated in a postgame news conference. “The final couple sequence, once we buckled down, stayed out of the field and saved the sport at five-on-five, we performed to the energy of our workforce.”
Is Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner backsliding?
Coming into the Western Convention Remaining in opposition to Dallas, it appeared Skinner had turned a nook. In his previous two video games in opposition to the Vegas Golden Knights within the second spherical, he posted a stellar 1.000 save share.
In Recreation 1 in opposition to Dallas, although, he did not have one among his higher postseason video games. He posted a subpar .815 save share, his second-lowest mark within the playoffs, and allowed 5 targets.
The Oilers higher hope Skinner’s poor outing in opposition to the Stars is an outlier and does not sign he is regressing.
It is unclear when the Oilers might change Skinner with backup goalie Calvin Pickard. Pickard hasn’t performed since struggling a lower-body harm in Recreation 2 in opposition to Vegas and did not journey with the team to Dallas.
Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is trying like his outdated self
The Stars have step by step elevated Heiskanen’s workload since he returned from a knee harm of their second-round sequence in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets.
In Recreation 1 in opposition to Edmonton, he completed with a postseason-high 24:13 of ice time. It made a large distinction for the Stars.
Heiskanen scored a aim on a wrist shot in the beginning of the third interval. He additionally assisted Stars middle Mikael Granlund on a power-play aim.
