The Dallas Stars came into Sunday's Game 3 contest coming off an abysmal performance in Game 2 that saw them suffer a shutout loss on their home ice. Things would not get easier for them as they attempted to balance bouncing back, and the hostile environment in Edmonton.
The Dallas Stars got outplayed in what was a very underwhelming performance on Friday night, ultimately dropping Game 2, 3-0. With the series tied and heading to Alberta, the Stars would be sure to bring their best game on Sunday afternoon. In the first 14 minutes of Sunday's game, it looked like the Stars set a good foundation to begin the game and would be able to keep pace with Edmonton. That would change quickly when the Oilers would receive production from Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid.
Dallas would come back in the second period swinging with a goal from Jason Robertson, while outshooting the Oilers 21-7. Connor McDavid would notch another goal to put the game within two. The game would ultimately slip out of the Stars's grasp, with the Oilers pulling away in the third period en route to a 6-1 victory, taking a 2-1 series lead.
While the Stars did his the numbers in the box score, it was what they did, and didn't do that came back to hurt them. Their last two losses have been full of poor possessions, and a consistent physical game. Where else the Stars have fallen short has been in protecting their net. One could easily see in any of the last nine goals Dallas has given up that they have allowed easy penetration into the slot, and have made the crease a very accessible area for the Oilers.
If Dallas hopes to get back in the series, they will also need to establish who they feel should be the prime scorer. While Mikko Rantanen has put up phenomenal numbers in the playoffs, the Finnish forward has cooled off in recent games. Jason Robertson was the top scorer during the regular season, but has largely been a non factor throughout the postseason. While injury is a large reasoning for that, the playoffs or where a team needs their top scorers to come up big.
Follow more of Adam's work on X: denkyd8nk