Connor McDavid scored 32 seconds into the second overtime, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final at American Airlines Center on Thursday. McDavid redirected a centering pass from Evan Bouchard past Stars goalie Jake Oettinger to secure the win.
Game Highlights
“It was nice to score in overtime. A big goal, great play by [Bouchard] as usual,” said McDavid, the Oilers captain. “You’ve got to win tight games. We’re down to the final four teams. You don’t get to the final four without being a great team, so all four teams are solid. Dallas is a great team. It’s going to be tight hockey.”
The game-winning goal came after a dramatic first overtime period where Oettinger made a sprawling stick save on McDavid with 5:21 remaining. McDavid had received a pass from Zach Hyman and attempted to score, but Oettinger’s heroic save kept the game alive.
Team Performances and Key Players
Leon Draisaitl and Hyman also scored for the Oilers, with Stuart Skinner making 31 saves. Draisaitl extended his point streak to 13 games, becoming the fifth player in NHL history to achieve such a streak in the postseason. He currently leads the NHL with 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 13 games during these Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“Teams that have success in the playoffs are good defending teams, teams that can check and play responsibly,” said Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch. “You can’t play a perfect game, but we have to make sure we limit those errors and I think we’ve done a good job of that. When we have made mistakes, we’ve got to count on our goalie to make some saves. [Skinner] did that tonight.”
For the Stars, Tyler Seguin scored twice, and Oettinger made 35 saves. Despite the loss, Stars coach Pete DeBoer emphasized the importance of moving forward. “In a perfect world, we’d like to win Game 1. We’d like to win every series four straight, too. It doesn’t happen,” DeBoer said. “I think the main thing is, you’ve got to find a way to survive and move on.”
Goals and Gameplay Analysis
Draisaitl opened the scoring 58 seconds into the second period with a shot from his knees, and Hyman extended the lead to 2-0 at 4:17 of the same period. Seguin responded for the Stars, scoring his first goal at 6:11 during a scramble in front of the net and tying the game with his second goal at 16:37 of the third period.
“We played a good enough game to win, and so did they. It’s inches out there,” Seguin said. “I thought it was a great hockey game, and we’ve been here many times. Two teams here in the West that are here for a reason, so it’s going to be little inches out there, little bounces.”
Penalty Kill and Defensive Play
The Oilers’ penalty kill was exceptional, going 5-for-5, including a crucial four-minute double minor for high-sticking against McDavid in the first overtime. Edmonton has successfully killed off 19 straight power plays, with a postseason penalty kill record of 33-for-36.
Future Outlook
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Both teams are expected to bring their best efforts as the Stars look to level the series at home.
Conclusion
The Oilers’ Game 1 victory showcased the critical contributions of their star players and their strong defensive play. As the series progresses, both teams will need to maintain their intensity and adapt strategically to emerge victorious in this tightly contested Western Conference Final.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is based on the latest available details at the time of publication. Game outcomes and player performances are subject to change based on real-time events and developments. For the most current updates, refer to official sources and news outlets.
