Dallas Stars shine on power play in stunning third-period comeback to steal Game 1

The Dallas Stars flipped the script in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final with a scorching third-period rally, scoring three power-play goals in just over five minutes en route to a 6–3 win over the Edmonton Oilers. It was a collapse that left the Oilers searching for answers after controlling the first 40 minutes at American Airlines Center.

Dallas trailed 3–1 entering the third period, but a carryover penalty and a quick-strike man advantage cracked the game wide open. Miro Heiskanen, Mikael Granlund, and Matt Duchene all struck on the power play during a 5:26 span to flip the scoreline and the momentum — a stark contrast from last spring when the Stars’ power play went 0-for-14 against Edmonton in the same round.

“We got fortunate. We got some power-play goals,” said Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer. “Happy for our power play. It took a lot of heat last year at this point of the year. It was the difference tonight.”

WATCH: Stars’ DeBoer says the red-hot power play was the difference in Game 1

Special teams the decider

The Stars finished 3-for-4 on the power play, a massive improvement for a unit that had struggled in recent postseasons. Those three goals on the man advantage proved to be the difference in a game where Edmonton’s 5-on-5 play was otherwise superior.

Edmonton’s penalty kill — which had posted a 90.9% success rate (20-for-22) in their second-round series against Vegas — faltered dramatically, allowing Dallas to storm back in a game they had no business winning for two periods.

“We have to kill better,” said defenceman Darnell Nurse. “Whether it’s a won battle, a clear, a block — whatever play has to be made on the PK, we have to make it.”

Leon Draisaitl was Edmonton’s best player through two periods, notching a goal and two assists and controlling possession at will. But it was his turnover in the second period that gifted Tyler Seguin a breakaway goal, opening the door for Dallas’ comeback.

“They didn’t earn that position after 40,” DeBoer said bluntly. “But we responded. We had the opportunity and we cashed in.”

Stars’ veterans lead the way

Seguin added a second goal and an assist, and Esa Lindell capped the night with a long-range empty-netter. Heiskanen’s opening power-play goal 32 seconds into the third came in just his fourth game since returning from left knee surgery that kept him out of the final 32 regular season games and first 10 of the playoffs.

Duchene’s go-ahead goal — his first of the postseason — came off a rebound that ricocheted off a fallen Roope Hintz and landed right back on his stick.

“It’s kind of par for the course this postseason,” Duchene said. “Something goes wrong, then something goes right. That one just came back to me, and I couldn’t believe I still had room.”

Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for Dallas and improved to 7–0 at home in these playoffs — the longest home winning streak in the franchise’s Dallas-era playoff history. He now boasts a .921 save percentage through 14 games this spring.

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Oilers’ missed opportunities

Despite the loss, Edmonton controlled the majority of the game at even strength. They owned a 55.45% share of shot attempts (Corsi) at 5-on-5 and generated more high-danger scoring chances (9 to Dallas’ 8), according to Natural Stat Trick.

Connor McDavid registered two assists and had several dangerous shifts early, but Edmonton couldn’t bury a fourth goal to put the game away. The Oilers hit two posts in the second period — one from Nurse and one from Zach Hyman — with Oettinger beat both times.

As Nurse put it, “Our five-on-five game is really good. We just have to use it more.”

Edmonton was outshot by Dallas 28–27 overall and struggled in the faceoff circle (37.9%). Defensive breakdowns and untimely penalties undid what had otherwise been a structured, efficient road effort through 40 minutes.

“You always think you’ve figured it out, and then you get humbled in a hurry,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. “We just have to put that one behind us. Whether it’s 6-3, 1-0 or in overtime — it all means the same.”

Final thoughts

This is the Stars’ third consecutive trip to the Western Conference Final, and their experience showed in the final frame. While Edmonton unraveled, Dallas stayed poised and pounced on every opportunity.

“The message after 40 was, ‘We’ve got to respond right now,’” said Seguin. “It’s not enough to come back next game. You’ve got to find ways on different nights.”

Game 2 is set for Friday in Dallas, where the Stars look to protect home ice again. For the Oilers, a more disciplined performance — especially on the penalty kill — will be critical to evening the series.