Oilers Outclass Stars in Game 5 to Take 3-2 Series Lead – Hockey Writers – NHL News
After a thrilling 5-2 victory in Game 4, the Edmonton Oilers captured their second consecutive Western Conference Final with a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars. Leading the series 3-2, they are one win away from their first Stanley Cup Final since 2006.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins set the tone before this, scoring a power play goal less than six minutes into the opening frame. He doubled down just over a minute into the second period, giving the Oilers a 2-0 lead with both goals coming on the power play. With those goals, he reached 20 points in a single season for the first time in his career. This is the 39th instance in team history where someone has recorded at least as many points in a postseason run.
After taking a two-goal lead, the Oilers never really looked back. The Stars threatened with a few solid chances of their own, but goaltender Stuart Skinner had one of his best games of the postseason even stopping 20 shots against Dallas. When their netminder is on his game, the Oilers are essentially unstoppable.
Philip Broberg, playing in just his second playoff game, got on the board late in the second period to extend the Oilers' lead. Wyatt Johnston scored his 10th goal of the postseason to destroy Skinner in the third, but by then, the game was over. For the second season in a row, the Stars are facing Game 6 in the Western Conference finals.
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With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both registering points against the Stars, they passed Paul Coffey for fifth place in the playoffs in team history with 104. They did so in 65 games apiece to Coffey's 94, the two leading players in the postseason. NHL history. They still have another 80 points to go if they want to surpass the next player on the list, Glenn Anderson (183 points in 165 games).
Related: 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals Hub
Defenseman Evan Bouchard also registered an assist in the game, putting him at 50 for his career in the playoffs. Reaching this mark in just 45 games, only Bobby Orr (39 games) and Brian Leetch (41 games) have done so quickly as a defenseman. Both are members of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Conn Smythe Trophy winners, and Norris Trophy winners – that's some impressive company.
The Oilers will now be able to return home to Rogers Place with a 3-2 series lead and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals on the line. The Stars, who will have to fight this streak, need back-to-back wins to reach their first final since 2020. For the first time since Game 7 against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round, he is facing a champion. .
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