The Edmonton Oilers bounced back in a big way, blanking the Dallas Stars 3-0 in Game 2 to even the Western Conference Final. Here are three key takeaways from a gritty, push-back Oilers win on the road.
Takeaway One: Stuart Skinner Slams the Door Shut – Again
Criticized at times earlier in the postseason, Stuart Skinner delivered a calm, confident game between the pipes, stopping all 25 shots he faced. This marked his third shutout of the playoffs and fourth of his postseason career.
Coming off back-to-back shutouts to close the second round, Skinner is quietly building a reputation as a big-game goalie. His positioning was solid, his rebound control sharp, and his poise gave the Oilers confidence to push forward offensively.
Takeaway Two: Connor Brown’s Bloody Redemption
Sometimes playoff moments are born from chaos. Connor Brown took a skate to the mouth early in the second period and left the ice bleeding—but returned to score his first goal in 36 games just minutes later. That goal, Edmonton’s third of the night, may not have been the prettiest, but it spoke volumes about Brown’s character and the Oilers’ commitment to team-first hockey. Writing a better redemption arc in under five minutes of ice time is hard.
Takeaway Three: The Oilers Special Teams and Star Power Deliver
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opened the scoring with a power-play tip-in, continuing the Oilers’ success with the man advantage. He later added an assist on Brown’s goal, while Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid also chipped in helpers.
The dynamic duo now sit at 20 points each in the playoffs, matching the NHL lead. McDavid has now posted 20+ playoff points for the fourth straight season, a feat matched only by legends like Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, and Sergei Fedorov. Simply put, Edmonton’s stars showed up when they had to.
What’s Next for the Oilers?
With the series tied 1-1, the Oilers head back to Edmonton for Game 3 on Sunday night. They’ve reclaimed momentum and will look to feed off the home crowd to grab the series lead.
