The Dallas Stars come from behind win against Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final left fans buzzing.
The Stars, trailing by two goals after forty minutes, stormed back with a relentless third period to claim a 6-3 victory at American Airlines Center.
This win not only gave Dallas a 1-0 series lead but also showcased their resilience and depth.
First Two Periods: Oilers in Control
Edmonton came out strong. Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring midway through the first period, capitalizing on a Stars turnover.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins doubled the lead early in the second, finishing off a sharp passing play from Connor McDavid. The Stars managed to cut the deficit when Tyler Seguin tipped in a point shot, but the Oilers responded quickly.
Evan Bouchard’s slapshot found the back of the net, restoring Edmonton’s two-goal cushion before the second intermission.
Dallas struggled on the power play, going 0-for-2 in the first two periods. The Oilers’ penalty kill looked sharp, and the Stars’ offense seemed frustrated.
The crowd grew restless as the second period ended with the Oilers up 3-1.
Third Period: Stars’ Power Play Ignites
The third period saw a complete shift in momentum. Just 32 seconds in, Miro Heiskanen fired a wrist shot through traffic, beating Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner and cutting the lead to one. The goal energized the Stars and the home crowd.
Dallas drew a penalty minutes later, and their power play finally delivered. Mikael Granlund tied the game with a quick shot from the slot.
The Stars kept pressing, and another Edmonton penalty gave them a golden chance. Matt Duchene crashed the net and buried a rebound, giving Dallas their first lead of the night.
The Oilers tried to regroup, but the Stars’ forecheck and tight defense kept them at bay.
Tyler Seguin scored his second of the game off a slick feed from Jamie Benn, extending the lead to 5-3. Esa Lindell sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
Key Players and Turning Points
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Tyler Seguin led the way with two goals and an assist, setting the tone for Dallas’ comeback.
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Miro Heiskanen sparked the rally with his early third-period goal.
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Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund each scored crucial power-play goals, ending the Stars’ struggles with the man advantage.
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Jake Oettinger made 24 saves, including several key stops in the third period to preserve the lead.
Coach Pete DeBoer praised the team’s response: “We talked about sticking with our game plan and not panicking. The guys showed a lot of character tonight.”
What This Means for the Series
The Dallas Stars come from behind win against Edmonton Oilers gives them a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Stars’ ability to rally from behind, especially after last year’s playoff disappointment against Edmonton, shows their growth and determination. Their power play, which struggled in the past, became the difference-maker in Game 1.
Game 2 will be played Friday night in Dallas. The Oilers will look to bounce back, but the Stars have momentum and home-ice advantage on their side.