Stars Stun Oilers With Third-Period Comeback in Game 1/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Dallas Stars opened the Western Conference Finals with a thrilling 6-3 comeback win over the Edmonton Oilers. Dallas scored three power-play goals in under six minutes to erase a two-goal deficit. The Stars now lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 heading into Game 2 on Friday.
The Dallas Stars stunned the Edmonton Oilers with a dominant third-period rally, scoring three power-play goals in just over five minutes to seize Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, 6-3. The victory was a signature turnaround moment for a team that had struggled in similar situations a year ago.
Trailing by two goals entering the third period, Dallas capitalized on a carryover penalty from the second period. Miro Heiskanen ignited the comeback just 32 seconds in with a long-range blast from the blue line. Less than three minutes later, Mikael Granlund tied the game at 3-3, followed by Matt Duchene giving the Stars a 4-3 lead after a chaotic rebound play around the net.
The Stars’ third-period explosion was a redemption story for their power-play unit, which had gone 0-for-14 against Edmonton in last year’s Western Conference Finals. “Happy for our power play,” said head coach Pete DeBoer. “It took a lot of heat last year at this point. It was the difference tonight.”
Tyler Seguin added two goals and an assist, and Esa Lindell sealed the win with an empty-netter. Jake Oettinger made 24 saves, holding strong during a key stretch when Edmonton was threatening to come back.
The Oilers had the advantage early. Leon Draisaitl opened scoring and added two assists. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins contributed a power-play goal and a helper. Evan Bouchard scored his fifth of the postseason, and Connor McDavid had two assists. But the Oilers’ penalty kill collapsed in the third, a stark contrast to their success in earlier rounds.
Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner, who had been steady with two shutouts to close out Vegas in Round 2, surrendered five goals on 27 shots and looked shaky during the onslaught.
Heiskanen’s goal was his first of the playoffs, coming just four games after returning from a lengthy injury absence. Duchene, also scoring his first of the postseasondescribed the go-ahead goal as “kind of funny” after his initial shot bounced off a prone Roope Hintz.
The Stars’ performance marked their first five-goal third period in a playoff game and extended their home playoff win streak to seven — the longest since relocating to Dallas in 1993.
Game 2 is Friday night at American Airlines Center, where the Stars will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead before heading to Edmonton.
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