The Dallas Stars are in familiar territory.
For the third straight time, Dallas was down 1-0 in the series going into Game 2 at home, but just like they did last time out against the Colorado Avalanche, the Stars picked themselves up and went on the road with the series tied 1-1.
The Edmonton Oilers presented a unique challenge in the third round, but Dallas managed to hold the best player in the world, Connor McDavid, and teammate Leon Draiseitel, the playoffs’ leading scorer, scoreless in Game 2. Not wanting a repeat of Game 1, in which McDavid was the Oilers’ hero in overtime, the Stars overcame a first-period shooting slump to extend their lead in the third on a redirected shot by Mason Marchment that found an empty net.
See below for complete coverage of the win from our writers and photographers.
Game Story:
— Five thoughts on Game 2 of Stars vs. Oilers: Marchment’s goal helps Dallas tie the series
— The Dallas Stars show resolve after a quick response from the Edmonton Oilers nearly ruined their Game 2 party.
— Travis Kelce and Dirk Nowitzki were among the celebrities spotted at Game 2 of the Stars vs. Oilers on Saturday.
End of 3rd period: Dallas 3, Edmonton 1
3rd Period (0:47 Left): Evander Kane was called for a slashing foul, but Stuart Skinner was sent off, leaving the game at 5-4 with time remaining.
Third period (1 minute 30 seconds remaining): Dallas will likely play the rest of the game on the penalty kill and possibly 6-on-4 as Jamie Benn goes to the penalty box with a hook and Stuart Skinner finds the net.
Dallas 3, Edmonton 1
Third Period (2:03 Left): Esa Lindell caught Stuart Skinner skating toward the bench and fired the puck into the net from center ice to give Dallas a chance in the closing seconds of the game.
Third period (6 minutes, 33 seconds remaining): As the Oilers tried to tie the game in the closing seconds, Edmonton started bringing in two of their top two playoff scorers, Connor McDavid, at the same time, but Dallas kept the Oilers within reach, allowing just one shot on goal in the final frame.
Dallas 2, Edmonton 1
Third period (16:19 remaining): Mason Marchment caught a Ryan Suter shot with his stick at the blue line and Stuart Skinner couldn’t stop it, giving Dallas a 2-1 lead despite a poor shooting performance.
End of 2nd period: Dallas 1, Edmonton 1
The Stars put more pressure on Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner, but the Oilers held on. With 20 minutes left in the game, Dallas will be looking to build on the adjustments they made in the second period and get a win at home before their trip to Canada.
2nd period (5:46 remaining): The Stars chipped away at the shots on goal difference, outshooting Edmonton 8-4 through the first three quarters of the second period.
2nd Period (13:08 Left): The Stars got their first power play of the game after Darnell Nurse headed it into the penalty area for interference, the puck was floating on the ice just in front of the net and Stuart Skinner was taken down.
2nd Period (18:50 remaining) Dallas won the faceoff following a Stuart Skinner glove save on Matt Duchene and got sustained offensive pressure. Edmonton dominated the faceoff dot in the first period, winning nearly 60% of their faceoffs.
End of 1st period: Dallas 1, Edmonton 1
Though the score was tied, the Stars were clearly lacking momentum heading into the second period. Edmonton outshot Dallas 16-5 thanks to limited neutral zone play and a 59% faceoff win rate.
The Stars offense has looked their usual hot streak once they get into the offensive zone, but their challenge over the final 40 minutes will be to get there in the first place by improving their entry and exit into the zone.
1st period (7 minutes, 10 seconds remaining): The Stars safely blocked the penalty.
1st period (9:10 remaining): Dallas will go on the penalty kill after Esa Lindell received a minor penalty for high sticking.
1st period (9:38 remaining): Regardless of the score, the Oilers dominated the first period, leading in shots 10-2.
1st Period (11:25 Left): When goaltender Jake Oettinger blocked McDavid’s wraparound shot, the American Airlines Center erupted in cheers.
Dallas 1, Edmonton 1
1st Period (15:37 Left): Edmonton responded quickly as well, with Connor Brown sneaking in his own rebound from close range.
Dallas 1, Edmonton 0
1st Period (16:21 Left) Jamie Benn opened the scoring, scoring quickly with a wrist shot off a lunge on the Stars’ first shot.
Pre-match updates
6:50pm: Star Projection Line:
Markment-Duchène-Pavelski
Robertson Seguin Dadonov
Ben Johnston Stankoven
Dellandrea Steele Smith
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Harley Heiskanen
Lindell Tanev
Suter Petrovich
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Ettinger
6:43 PM: Roope Hintz did not participate in warmups. The regular top-line center will be determined at the start of the game, while Ty Dellandrea will play in place of Radek Faksa.
Pre-match reading:
— Stars forward Roope Hintz did not play in Game 2 against Edmonton, with Ty Dellandrea filling in for Radek Faksa.
— Why the Dallas Stars’ power play was ineffective against the Edmonton Oilers, resulting in a Game 1 loss.
— How the Stars created an opportunity for the Oilers’ Connor McDavid to score an overtime win in Game 1.
— Full coverage: Oilers win Game 1 of WCF in double overtime, Stars have no answer
— Tyler Seguin has gone from “flashy, gutsy guy” to “veteran guy,” Stars GM Jim Nill says
People to follow on Twitter/X: Rassimak@GehlkenNFL, Erina
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