The Edmonton Oilers scored two power play goals on the way to a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars Friday night, giving the Oilers a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Final.
“We’re never going to play a 60 minute game at this point in the season where you dominate and you’re the better team — it just doesn’t happen,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said.
“The other team just has too much to say and they’re a good team. But tonight, through the playoffs, this might have been our best 60 minute effort.”
“If you’re going to draw up a road game, that’s pretty much what you want to do,” Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer said. “Get the lead and then defend well all night.”
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the first power play goal of the series with 5:51 left in the first period. He chipped home the rebound from Evan Bouchard’s point shot for his fifth of the post-season. The Oilers were penalized for too many men late in the first but responded with their 24th straight penalty kill.
Nugent-Hopkins popped a shot off the post and in for another power play goal 1:06 into the second.
