McDavid, Hyman power Oilers to dominant Game 3 win over Stars

Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman each scored twice and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins dished out three assists as the Edmonton Oilers throttled the Dallas Stars 6-1 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday night, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Back on home ice at Rogers Place, the Oilers delivered a complete performance across all three zones, reclaiming momentum after their Game 1 collapse and asserting control of a series that has begun to shift in tone and tempo.

McDavid, the game’s most electrifying presence, showcased his elite offensive instincts with a pair of goals and a +3 rating, operating with clinical precision at even strength. He now has five goals in the postseason and continues to lead all playoff skaters in points. Meanwhile, Hyman’s two-goal, one-assist outing brought him to 11 goals in these playoffs, tying him for the league lead and reinforcing his reputation as one of the most dangerous net-front forwards in the NHL.

Evan Bouchard (1G, 1A) and John Klingberg (1G) also found the scoresheet, while Nugent-Hopkins quietly played the role of architect, recording his third straight multi-point game. That feat places him in elite Oilers company—only Wayne Gretzky has previously managed three consecutive multi-point games in a Conference Final for Edmonton.

“That’s a team win,” said McDavid post-game. “From the crease out, we were sharp. Special teams, five-on-five—everyone pulled on the rope tonight.”

Oilers capitalize early, dominate late

Edmonton opened the scoring at 14:02 of the first period when Bouchard stepped into a one-timer from the high slot. The shot, aided by a heavy screen, beat Jake Oettinger low on the glove side for Bouchard’s sixth of the playoffs. Just 36 seconds later, McDavid buried a return pass from Nugent-Hopkins on a 3-on-1 rush to double the lead, roofed over Oettinger’s left shoulder from a sharp angle.

Dallas was once again caught flat-footed in the opening frame—outscored 4-0 in the first period across their last three road playoff games—while the Oilers outshot them 11-9 and controlled 63% of expected goals (xG) in the opening 20 minutes.

The Stars showed life in the second, outshooting Edmonton 21-7 and generating several high-danger chances. Their pressure was finally rewarded when rookie Lian Bichsel’s point shot deflected off Jason Robertson’s leg and trickled past Stuart Skinner for his first of the postseason, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

But McDavid responded in kind just before the period expired, picking the top corner with a wrist shot through traffic at 19:41 to restore Edmonton’s two-goal cushion. That dagger halted Dallas’ momentum and deflated a period where they had controlled the pace but were undone by Edmonton’s opportunism.

Skinner stands tall, Oilers bury the dagger

Goaltender Stuart Skinner was rock solid between the pipes, turning aside 33 shots and posting a .971 save percentage. It marked his first playoff win that wasn’t a shutout, and it came against a Dallas team that had more shot attempts (67-45) and controlled 58% of the total expected goals (2.94 to 2.12, per Natural Stat Trick).

Skinner’s rebound control and composure under pressure were particularly crucial in the second period when Dallas mounted sustained zone time and generated multiple scrambles in the crease. His ability to hold the line allowed Edmonton’s offence to execute a textbook counterattack in the third.

Just 3:25 into the final frame, Nugent-Hopkins sent a stretch pass that split Dallas’ defence and found Hyman in stride. Hyman, relentless as ever, beat Oettinger blocker-side for his first of the game. He added his second at 12:06, finishing a 2-on-1 rush with Evander Kane by redirecting a saucer pass over a sprawling Bichsel.

Klingberg added the exclamation mark with 2:20 remaining, snapping a power-play goal through a screen to make it 6-1. It was his first of the postseason and Edmonton’s sixth power-play goal in the series.

Stars unravel amid injuries, discipline questions

Dallas was without top-line centre Roope Hintz, who remains sidelined after taking a slash from Darnell Nurse late in Game 2. The play drew controversy, with Stars head coach Peter DeBoer arguing that a five-minute major or supplemental discipline was warranted. The league opted not to suspend Nurse, and his physical presence loomed large again in Game 3.

The Stars’ depth struggled in Hintz’s absence, and frustration boiled over as they were penalized three times in the final period. Dallas has now allowed 14 goals in three games and seen their penalty kill wilt against Edmonton’s top-ranked power play.

Jake Oettinger, meanwhile, continues to search for answers in the Western Conference Final. He dropped to 5-10 all-time in West Final appearances, allowing six goals on 24 shots for a .750 save percentage on the night. While Oettinger made key saves to keep Dallas within striking distance in the second, his team’s defensive breakdowns left him with little support as the Oilers poured it on late.

Oilers forward Connor Brown exited the game in the second period after taking a hit from Stars defenceman Alexander Petrovic along the boards. Brown did not return and his status for Game 4 is unclear.

Edmonton also remains without defenceman Mattias Ekholm, who is expected to return later in the series. The team is hopeful his presence will provide additional structure to the blueline.

What’s next

Game 4 takes place Tuesday night in Edmonton (8 p.m. ET, CBC/TVA Sports/Sportsnet/ESPN), where the Oilers will look to push the Stars to the brink. With their top line firing, special teams clicking, and Skinner gaining confidence, the Oilers appear poised to seize control of the series—unless Dallas can find another gear.