The Dallas Stars started the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers with a big 6-3 win in Game 1. But Edmonton bounced back strong, shutting out the Stars 3-0 in Game 2 and stealing home-ice advantage. Now, the series shifts to Edmonton for Game 3 on Sunday afternoon, and Dallas needs to bounce back fast.
So what can the Stars do to win back momentum and retake control of this tight playoff battle? Let’s look at the key areas where Dallas must improve to beat the Oilers on their home turf.
Score Early and Break Skinner’s Confidence
In Game 1, Dallas scored five of their six goals in the third period. That slow start can’t happen again. Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner is gaining confidence after a shutout in Game 2. The Stars need to challenge him early in Game 3, putting pucks on net and looking for rebounds to shake his rhythm.
If Dallas allows Skinner to settle in again, it may be harder to score later. A strong first period, with high shot pressure, could be the difference.
Power Play Must Click Again
Dallas’ power play was a major reason they won Game 1, scoring three goals with the man advantage. But in Game 2, the power play went quiet, going 0-for-2. To win Game 3, the Stars need to do two things: draw more penalties and convert their chances when they do.
A dangerous power play puts pressure on the Oilers to play carefully, and any mistake could lead to a goal for Dallas.
Keep the Shots Coming
Another concern from Game 2 was the low number of shots. Dallas only had five shots in the second period and just 25 total. That’s not enough against a team like Edmonton. In contrast, in Game 1, they outshot the Oilers in the third period 11-6, showing they can dominate when they stay aggressive.
Dallas doesn’t need to turn the game into a shootout, but they must shoot more often to create chances and keep Skinner busy.
Shut Down Edmonton’s Secondary Scorers
It’s hard to completely stop superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But in Game 2, the Oilers got extra goals from lesser-known players like Brett Kulak and Connor Brown, who now has five playoff goals.
In Game 1, Dallas did a better job limiting the rest of the Oilers lineup. Only big names like Draisaitl, Bouchard, and Nugent-Hopkins scored. If the Stars can do the same in Game 3—allow one or two goals from Edmonton’s stars, but stop the supporting cast—they will put themselves in a great position to win.
The Stars Have the Resilience
Dallas has shown all season and throughout the playoffs that they are tough to beat two games in a row. So far in this year’s post-season, they haven’t lost back-to-back games. That’s a sign of a strong, mentally tough team.
They also have depth across the lineup and the ability to make smart adjustments. With their experience and solid play in pressure situations, Dallas has every chance to bounce back in Game 3 and put Edmonton on the back foot.
The Dallas Stars have what it takes to win Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers. To do so, they’ll need to get shots on goal early, bring back their dangerous power play, stay consistent with offensive pressure, and stop the Oilers’ depth players from scoring. If they succeed in these areas, they can reclaim home-ice advantage and lead the series again.
