Stars-Oilers Game 2 Takeaways, Early Look at Game 3

On Friday, the Edmonton Oilers redeemed themselves for letting Game 1 of the Western Conference Final slip away, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 2, thus leveling the series.

Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner continued to show highly inconsistent play in the playoffs. In four lost games, he allowed 20 goals, and his save percentage did not exceed .833%. However, all three of his wins were shutouts, making him only the second goaltender in Edmonton franchise history to record three clean sheets in a single Stanley Cup playoff run (the first was Curtis Joseph in 1998).

Once again, the Oilers showcased their impressive roster depth. The team`s stars combined for a power-play goal in the first period: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored with assists from Evan Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl. The other two goals (not into an empty net) were scored by Brett Kulak, burying a rebound past Jake Oettinger, and Connor Brown, who continued his impressive playoff run by scoring his fifth goal in the second period.

(Of course, it is also worth noting the main event for Brown during the evening – how he avoided a serious injury when Mikael Granlund`s skate nearly grazed his face.)

How did both teams play? What are the main questions facing them ahead of Game 3, which will take place on Sunday afternoon in Edmonton? Here is our analysis of Game 2 of the series, which ended in a win for the Oilers.

Dallas Stars
Grade: C-

As anticipated after Game 1: not every game of the Western Conference Final would be marked by an Oilers collapse in the third period or such success for the Stars on the power play that helped them snatch victory.

Edmonton continued to perform strongly at 5-on-5 and won the special teams battle. The Stars were not sharp on details. Too many shots did not reach Stuart Skinner, and there were not enough moments that truly tested the Edmonton goaltender – except for a third-period short-handed breakaway that Wyatt Johnston couldn`t convert, extending his point drought to one point in eight games.

Through two periods, the Stars committed more giveaways (21) than in any other game of the 2025 playoffs. This essentially handed the victory to Edmonton. After losing Game 1, the Oilers were full of determination, and Dallas couldn`t even come close to countering their effort and execution.

Edmonton Oilers
Grade: A

Edmonton started Game 2 exactly as planned – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored an early power-play goal, which felt like a form of revenge for the unsuccessful, penalty-filled third period of Game 1 that the Oilers conceded to Dallas. Then, Edmonton tempted fate by giving the Stars a power play opportunity, but expertly killed it off, neutralizing the threat. This boosted the team`s confidence.

Following this, the Oilers successfully contained Dallas in the second period, where Skinner was particularly solid despite the Stars` attempts to equalize. This success allowed Edmonton to extend its lead by scoring two goals in just 1 minute and 13 seconds – after a powerful shot from Brett Kulak and a tip-in from Connor Brown.

Edmonton cast out a couple more `demons` by successfully killing off the Stars` power play opportunities in the third period.

The game was low on shots: by the middle of the period, there were only three from both sides, and it was clear how hard Edmonton was working to limit Dallas`s opportunities. Ultimately, it worked. Special applause goes to Skinner, who after a disastrous performance in the final 20 minutes of Game 1, became a true difference-maker by recording his third shutout in four games.

Three Stars of Game 2

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
C, Oilers

Nugent-Hopkins recorded a goal and an assist, and his power-play goal that opened the scoring was the game-winner. He has multi-point performances in both games of the series and scored both of the Oilers` power-play goals through two games.

2. Stuart Skinner
G, Oilers

Skinner made 25 saves, recording his third shutout of the playoffs. He became the only Oilers goaltender, besides Curtis Joseph (1998), to achieve three clean sheets in a single Stanley Cup playoff run.

3. Bouncing back

The Oilers managed to put behind them the disastrous third period of Game 1 and controlled Game 2 for virtually the entire 60 minutes, securing a 3-0 victory and leveling the series before heading to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4.

Players to watch in Game 3

Jason Robertson
RW, Stars

The Stars winger shares the lead in the playoff scoring race with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, having 20 points. However, in the last four games, he has recorded only one point – a power-play assist in Game 1 of this series. This player earned recognition by showing strong play in previous playoff rounds, including multi-point games.

But in Game 2, he had as many shot attempts as giveaways (three each). Neither number is good for the Stars. Given that Roope Hintz left Game 2 due to injury, there are even more questions about their top line, which hasn`t scored a goal at even strength since Game 4 against the Jets.

Connor McDavid
C, Oilers

Fans always closely follow McDavid. But despite all his magnificent plays and powerful passing game, he hasn`t been a threat to opposing goaltenders in terms of scoring goals. In these playoffs, McDavid has only three goals (with 20 points), and 11 goals in his last 38 playoff games.

McDavid`s impact on the Oilers` game cannot be underestimated, but there is a need to see him scoring himself as well. Currently, McDavid has only one goal since Game 3 of Edmonton`s first-round series against Los Angeles. The Oilers are matching up well against the Stars at even strength in this series. And McDavid appeared to hit the post at least once in Game 2.

If McDavid can create more doubt in Dallas by slipping one (or more) pucks past Jake Oettinger, it could further ignite Edmonton`s game – and nothing would fire up the Oilers` home crowd quite like seeing the captain perform offensively.

Big questions for Game 3

What`s the status of Roope Hintz?

The Stars lost their first-line center in the third period after a harsh slash to the skate by Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse. Hintz fell to the ice, clutching his left leg, and needed help leaving the playing surface just 3 minutes and 40 seconds into the final period.

Losing Hintz or even a reduction in his effectiveness will be a huge blow for Dallas, as this experienced Finn has recorded five goals and six assists in 14 games, and also participates in both power play and penalty kill units. Dallas`s first line is officially in a slump – it hasn`t scored any goals at even strength since Game 5 against the Jets, and who knows how the loss of their key player will impact its performance.

Regardless of his status for Game 3, his injury became a post-game talking point for coach Pete DeBoer. Answering a question about Hintz`s condition, he asked: “Does anyone in this room think that if Connor McDavid was carried off the ice like that, it wouldn`t be a five-minute major? If player number 97 was carried off the ice in the same situation, I think we all know what that would look like for us.”

Can Mattias Ekholm get back in the lineup?

The Oilers should feel confident as the series moves to their home ice. The return of one of the club`s top defensemen would also be a huge boost for the team.

Ekholm has been sidelined since mid-April due to an undisclosed injury and has missed the entire Oilers` playoff campaign to date. However, he returned to practice on Thursday, and although his condition is listed as “day-to-day,” even Ekholm himself admitted he didn`t expect a quick return.

In Ekholm`s absence, Edmonton has relied on Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher, but there is no doubt that he will strengthen the team`s defense when he is ready. The Oilers must be prepared for Dallas`s response in Game 3, and having Ekholm, who averaged 22 minutes on ice in the regular season, recording nine goals and 33 points, will make this task more manageable.