The Edmonton Oilers didn’t look at all like the visiting team at the American Airlines Center on Friday night, dominating Game 5 against the Dallas Stars from start to finish to win 3-3. 1 and take a serious option on the Western Association final series.
The Alberta team now leads 3 to 2 in this duel, which means that it could eliminate the Stars at Rogers Place on Sunday. The Oilers haven’t played in the Stanley Cup Final since 2006.
The penalty kill units on both sides have had their say in this series so far, but the Stars’ penalty kill units have finally faltered. The Oilers scored their first goal on the power play since Game 7 against the Vancouver Canucks.
It was Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, well positioned near the slot, who recovered the return of Evan Bouchard’s throw. The defender let a cannonball go and Jake Oettinger was unable to keep the puck.
The Oilers were much more solid at this level, committing a 25th consecutive penalty, which tied a franchise record.
Since the numerical advantage has been unlocked, why not take advantage of it? Nugent-Hopkins added a second goal with an extra man, beating Jake Oettinger with a precise shot against the post to the goalkeeper’s right.
Philip Broberg was the other scorer for Edmonton. The young Swede opened his playoff account with a powerful shot from the blue line. It was also the Oilers’ eighth unanswered goal.
Alberta goaltender Stuart Skinner was not tested much in the first 40 minutes of play. Wyatt Johnston was the only Stars player to thwart him by deflecting a puck in front of the net late in the third period. Skinner, however, held on afterward to finish the evening with 19 saves.
With his 25th assist, Connor McDavid approached the all-time record for a playoff year. Unsurprisingly, Wayne Gretzky tops the list with 31 assists during the 1987-1988 playoffs.
SUMMARY
Oilers 3 – Stars 1 | Wyatt Johnston revives the American Airlines Center by deflecting a puck in front of the net
Oilers 3 – Stars 0 l Philip Broberg scores the Oilers’ eighth unanswered goal in this series. This is a first goal in the playoffs for the young Swede.
Oilers 2 – Stars 0 l “RNH” registered are second in the match by making a precise shot against the post to the left of Jake Oettinger.
Oilers 1 – Stars 0 l On the power play while Ryan Suter is in the penalty box, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins recovers a return shot from Evan Bouchard to break the ice in this meeting.
