After a low-scoring series against the Winnipeg Jets, the Dallas Stars now fully shift their focus for the opening game of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers.
Dallas won their first Game 1 in Winnipeg since the 2020 Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay, and it boosted them in the series in which they never trailed. Now, the Stars once again have home-ice advantage against the Oilers (and for the Stanley Cup Final, if they make it), so winning the first game becomes even more critical.
In fact, the Stars have not won a Game 1 at the American Airlines Center since the 2016 playoffs, where they did so against both Minnesota and St. Louis.
In last season's opener against Edmonton, the Stars and Oilers went to double overtime before Connor McDavid ended the game with a tip-in. Dallas was able to take a 2-1 series lead after that, but eventually fell in six games. Game 1 and 5 were both losses at home, which contributed to a 4-6 home playoff record last season for Dallas. This season, the Stars are 6-1 at home so far.
A key piece to the series will be getting some players going on the score sheet after an offensively weak round against the Jets. The Stars were shut out twice, and a hat trick from Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund were the only goals scored in Games 1 and 4. The Stars only scored one goal in regulation in Game 6 as well, before Thomas Harley won the game early in overtime.
Jake Oettinger out-dueled Connor Hellebuyck in a battle of top U.S. born goalies, and now must battle Stuart Skinner for the Oilers. Skinner was shaky last postseason but suddenly became lights-out against Dallas. This playoff run, he was just as shaky to start, and was replaced in the starter's crease by Calvin Pickard midway through the opening round against the Los Angeles Kings.
Pickard finished that series and started strong against the Vegas Golden Knights in round two before suffering an injury that forced Skinner back into action. Skinner ended up posting two shutouts in a row to close out Vegas in five games, including a 1-0 overtime win in Game 5.
Dallas went 0-for-14 on the power play last year against the Oilers, and gave up a shorthanded goal as well. Edmonton was 4-for-11. The special teams for the Stars need to be far better this time around.
Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said there would be game-time decisions regarding the lineup. Dallas has been going with seven defensemen since Miro Heiskanen returned, but if Heiskanen feels strong enough to play 20 minutes without hesitation, DeBoer has indicated he might go back to playing only six blue liners.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CDT at the American Airlines Center and the game can be seen nationally on ESPN and streaming on ESPN+.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
Stars Must Avoid Woeful Power Play Stat from Previous Oilers Series
Wayne Gretzky Shows Love To Wyatt Johnston
Thomas Harley Continues To Add To Playoff Resume With Game 6 Winner
Stars Forward Gives Words of Advice to Mark Scheifele
- Follow Taylor on Twitter: @THN_taylor