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Stars, Oilers Both Confident Heading into Crucial Game 3 of West Finals
Home-Ice Advantage Shift
The Edmonton Oilers have snatched home-ice advantage from the Dallas Stars in this high-stakes series. Now, it’s up to the Oilers to hold onto that edge as they host the Stars on Monday. The best-of-seven Stanley Cup playoff series is currently tied at 1-1.
“We’re back in our barn. It’s going to be exciting,” said Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm. “We’re going to use the energy from our fans and keep building our game. We got our split and we feel good about that, but now it’s time to raise our level when we get home and dictate the game.”
Recap of Game 2
The Oilers took the series opener 3-2 in double overtime, but the Stars bounced back with a 3-1 win on Saturday. Edmonton dominated the first period, outshooting Dallas 16-4, but couldn’t convert their chances into a lead. The Stars gained momentum in the third period, with Mason Marchment breaking a 1-1 tie early in the final frame. After Marchment’s game-winning goal, the Oilers managed only four shots on net in the last 16:19, struggling to stage a comeback.
Edmonton’s Confidence and Strategy
Despite the setback, the Oilers are heading home with confidence. “They just got one more bounce than us,” said forward Connor Brown. “They’re a good team. They came with a good push. We know we can be better, so we’re just going to gear up for Game 3.”
The Oilers have been outstanding on the penalty kill, successfully defending 20 consecutive short-handed situations over the past six games. They also boast a 4-2 home record in the playoffs.
Dallas’ Road Prowess
The Stars are coming to Edmonton with the momentum from their recent win and a strong track record on the road. Surprisingly, Dallas has won only four of nine home playoff games but boasts an impressive 5-1 road record. The Stars won all three road games against the Colorado Avalanche in the second round, allowing only one goal in each of those victories.
Goaltending and Defensive Efforts
A key to Dallas’s success has been goaltender Jake Oettinger, who credits his teammates for their defensive efforts. Against Colorado, the Stars excelled in limiting offensive stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar. Edmonton’s dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were held off the scoresheet in the last game.
“Just doing things the right way,” Oettinger explained. “Those 50-50 battles for pucks, I think guys are just choosing to be on the defensive side. When you have the best player of all-time probably (McDavid) on the other side, those are the decisions that can make or break him scoring or not. It’s a group effort to defend a guy like that, and we all did that. Those blocks, the sticks in lanes, all that stuff that we did, that’s what you need to win.”
Facing the Hostile Environment
Coach Peter DeBoer acknowledged the challenge of playing in Edmonton. “Is it any crazier than Vegas on the road or Colorado on the road?” DeBoer mused. “It’s another really tough rink with great fans and a great team. We’ve got a formula that works for us, but we’ve got to go up there and do it again.”
DeBoer mentioned that top-line center Roope Hintz is expected to play in at least one of the next two games, providing a boost to their offense. The Oilers are also anticipating the return of forward Adam Henrique soon.
Conclusion
As both teams prepare for a pivotal Game 3, the series remains wide open. Edmonton will look to leverage their home-ice advantage and fan energy to take the lead, while Dallas aims to continue their impressive road performance and defensive discipline. The stage is set for an intense and thrilling battle as the quest for the Stanley Cup intensifies.