5/21/2025
DALLAS, TEXAS
The Dallas Stars rallied scoring five goals in the third period to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 in game one of the Western Conference Final.
Tyler Seguin scored a pair of goals for Dallas while Miro Heiskanen, Mikael Granlund, Matt Duchene, and Esa Lindell added goals for the Stars. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard scored for Edmonton in the loss.
The series is a rematch of last year’s conference final won by Edmonton in six games, with the Oilers winning the final three games. Edmonton advanced to the conference finals with a five game series win over the Vegas Golden Knights thanks to an overtime winning goal from Kasperi Kapanen. Dallas marked their third trip to the conference final in a row with a six game second round series win over the President’s Trophy winning Winnipeg Jets, with Thomas Harley scoring the overtime series winning goal.
Edmonton came into the series with an eye on redemption after losing the Cup Finals last season. The Oilers coming into the third round have found their stride with depth scoring outside of their superstars, and a reinvigorated goaltender in Stuart Skinner. The Stars postseason run relies heavily on goaltender Jake Oettinger. Dallas additionally has gotten more healthy as the playoffs progress with the return of star defenseman Miro Heiskanen in the lineup.
Edmonton started Stuart Skinner in net, while Dallas relied again on Jake Oettinger.
The Oilers opened the scoring thanks to Leon Draisaitl’s wrist shot after the MVP frontrunner sped by Wyatt Johnston for the goal at 10:19 of the opening period. Draisaitl’s scoring capability has been apparent all season, the same could not be said for Tyler Seguin. Seguin missed four months of the season with a hip injury, but he showcased his speed late in the first frame. A turnover from an Oiler defenseman allowed Seguin to speed in a breakaway. A screamer glove side by Skinner from Seguin tied the game for Dallas with 15:22 played in the opening period. Edmonton and Dallas went into the dressing room tied at one.
Period number two tilted on its axis when Edmonton stuck on a power play goal from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 6:08 into the frame. RNH’s goal was made possible with a seam pass from Connor McDavid to an awaiting Nugent-Hopkins. Minutes later, Evan Bouchard wristed a third goal for the Oilers to give open a two goal lead. Bouchard received a Nugent-Hopkins pass and patiently outwaited Oettinger before zinging a shot by the glove side. The goal at 7:48 capped a sequence of two goals in 100 seconds for Edmonton. The Oilers led 3-1 after two periods.
The third period began with Dallas on the power play after a minor from Brett Kulak. Miro Heiskanen got the final period started with a shot through traffic beating Stuart Skinner. The goal came at the 32 second mark of the third. Heiskanen like Seguin, missed several months due to an injury. For Heiskanen, the lamp lighter marked his first goal scored at home all season. Mikael Granlund ripped a shot to the back of the net on the man advantage at 3:49 to tie the game. Granlund’s shot from the right circle went directly out of the apron of the goal. The Stars were far from done.
A minor penalty on Evander Kane allowed Dallas’s power play to go to work. Matt Duchene ladled a loose puck off the end boards. His first shot attempt to the left of the net was blocked by the back of Roope Hintz. Duchene’s second try found the back of the net. The goal came 11 seconds after the penalty to Kane. Dallas after trailing 3-1 to start the period captured the lead. Tyler Seguin added a second goal on a tip in off a Sam Steel backhand shot. The goal came at 16:02 of the third, giving the Stars a two goal lead. Esa Lindell added an empty netter for Dallas at 16:45 to hand the Stars five goals in the third period.
In a game where it seemed the Oilers controlled through two periods, Dallas escaped with a 6-3 win. The Stars received massive contributions from two players that came off injured reserve. Tyler Seguin scored on two goals and one assist while Miro Heiskanen had a goal an a helper. For Seguin, the two goals Wednesday night matches the two goals he scored in game 1 of last year’s Western Conference Final. Another aspect to the comeback was the power play. Dallas went 3/4 on the man advantage.
Stars Head Coach Pete DeBoer when speaking to the media said, “I didn’t feel through 40 minutes that we had made them earn the position they were in. So the guys responded…We got some power play goals…Happy for our power play. It took a lot of heat last year at this point of the year. It was the difference tonight for us, so it’s great.” Dallas rode into the playoffs with a notorious seven game “Game 1” losing streak. The streak rose to eight with a Game 1 loss against the Avalanche. Dallas responded since then, winning their second round opener against the Winnipeg Jets en route to a six game series win. Wednesday night builds the way for Dallas to seek the upper hand in the series on Friday.
Game 2 of the series is schedule for Friday night in Dallas at 5 p.m. on ESPN and CBC. The question remains whether Dallas can capture a 2-0 series lead or will Edmonton even the series. If Edmonton overcoming a 2-1 series deficit last year is any indicator, the series is only beginning.
Stay tuned to ESN for continued coverage of the NHL Conference Finals.
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