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Oilers vs Stars Game 2: Oilered |
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The Edmonton Oilers dominated at 5 on 5 for two straight periods in Game 1, with a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. Unfortunately for the Oilers that is where things collapsed as they took penalty after penalty and a brutal kill allowed the Stars to ring off 3 straight goals on the powerplay to take the lead, adding an extra 5 on 5 goal and empty netter for good measure.
Playing a strong team game only to lose due to a red hot powerplay and one line converting on everything? That is 23/24 Oilers hockey that just beat Edmonton.
The good news for the Oilers is that if they can return to the style of hockey they played through the first two periods, they should certainly have a chance at tying this series 1-1 coming back to Edmonton. The bad news is they have allowed the Stars to gain momentum and I fully expect a better effort from Dallas at 5 on 5 as well.
Right now Edmonton simply cannot afford to take any penalties. Their PK units have been brutal and Stuart Skinner has played well when the team is playing good but absolutely flounders when things get ugly. The Oilers need to play a highly disciplined game tonight.
Jeff Skinner was on the ice on the third line with Henrique and Kane in place of Brown but it does appear that Brown is still expected to play tonight so Skinner likely remains a healthy scratch.
The story for the Oilers in these playoffs has been depth and while McDavid and Draisaitl have been good, we hadn't really seen them fully take over a game until Game 1 against the Stars where that duo looked unbeatable for two periods. It is unfortunate that Edmonton ended up wasting their efforts but the rest looks like it has been good for both players and we should see them at that same level tonight and moving forward.
Ekholm remains out of the lineup and a potential option for Game 3.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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