Connor McDavid scored the winning goal in double overtime to give the visiting Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday in Game 1 of the Western Conference final.
After watching a two-goal edge disappear, McDavid became the hero when he redirected a pass from Evan Bouchard 32 seconds into the second overtime period for his third goal of the playoffs.
Like McDavid, Zach Hyman netted one goal and one assist and Leon Draisaitl also scored for the Oilers. Stuart Skinner made 31 saves.
Tyler Seguin scored both goals for the Stars, who have lost seven consecutive series-opening games. Jake Oettinger stopped 35 shots.
Game 2 of the series will be Saturday in Dallas.
The Stars failed to convert five power plays, including a double-minor assessed to McDavid in the opening seconds of overtime – although a pair of shots rang off the post during that stint.
Draisaitl extended his point streak to 13 consecutive games to kick off the playoffs when he opened the scoring 58 seconds into the second period. Brett Kulak’s point shot was blocked in the slot, but the puck bounded to Draisaitl at the right circle, and he buried his ninth goal of the postseason.
Hyman doubled the lead at 4:17, shortly after Skinner made a clutch save at the other end. A rush was denied, but Hyman pounced on the loose puck and slipped home his 12th score of the playoffs.
Seguin jolted the Stars to life when he put them on the board two minutes later. Kulak’s turnover led to Jamie Benn’s scoring chance, and Seguin was on the spot to shovel the loose puck into the net.
Seguin’s second goal of the night tied the clash with 3:23 remaining in regulation. A shot was blocked at the edge of the crease and the puck came right to Seguin to push into the yawning cage for his fifth of the playoffs.
–Field Level Media
