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    Taylor Newby
    Taylor Newby
    May 22, 2025, 22:23

    The Dallas Stars came roaring back from a 3-1 deficit with five third period goals en route to a 6-3 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers.

    Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) reacts after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period during game one of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Ima

    Special teams played a huge factor in the game, so here are three takeaways:

    1) Dallas is 0-for no more. After going 0-for-14 in last season's Western Conference Final against Edmonton, the Stars exploded for three power play goals in the third period alone.

    Notably, the second unit got the first two goals - Miro Heiskanen and Mikael Granlund - and Stars coach Pete DeBoer sent the second unit out to start the third period in a split up power play. His decision paid off with a two goal deficit erased in what seemed like no time in the third period.

    Matt Duchene was able to finally pot his first goal of the playoffs, albeit after whacking Roope Hintz in the back with his first attempt, for the final power play goal that put the Stars ahead for good.

    2) True to his word, DeBoer switched both Heiskanen and Thomas Harley onto the top power play unit based solely on feel of the game. Both were effective with either unit, and both units were used fairly evenly.

    3) The penalty kill got off to a rough start, allowing a power play goal to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins off of an unfortunate bounce that put the puck right on his stick. Dallas struggled to keep the Oilers off the board on the man advantage last year, and it looked grim early on.

    However, the Stars bounced back with a crucial kill late in the third period up 4-3. If the Oilers had tied it up on that power play, all the momentum Dallas had built clawing their way back and in front would have been zapped. The game could very well have gone to overtime.

    Dallas now looks to continue the momentum Friday night in Game 2, where they are hoping not to have to overcome another multi-goal deficit.

    Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CDT.

    Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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