<p>The Stanley Cup Playoffs are back, which means that for the next two months, we’ll get non-stop exciting action in the NHL as we witness history in another team looking to win a championship. Here at Daily Faceoff, we’ll be keeping you in the loop of everything that happened in the playoffs, every day until the Stanley Cup is hoisted in June.</p>



<p>Once again, the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edmonton Oilers</a> were the team that got off to a good start in the Western Conference Final, but it wasn’t without some controversy. Brett Kulak had tossed the puck over the glass in the Oilers zone, but it wasn’t noticed by the officials, so the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/dallas-stars/line-combinations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dallas Stars</a> were not rewarded with a power play. Shortly after the play, Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid scored 36 seconds apart to take a 2-0 lead in the game. And of course, Kulak, who should have been in the penalty box, assisted on the opening goal.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="157"></div>



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<p>The Stars appeared to have a bit of a momentum shift in the second period, some of that more on the war of attrition side of the game, as <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/edmonton-oilers-connor-brown-leaves-game-dallas-stars-undisclosed-injury-hit-head-alex-petrovic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a hit from Alex Petrovic knocked Connor Brown out of the game</a>, and Lian Bichsel also rocked Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hard into the boards and took him out of the game briefly, but Nugent-Hopkins eventually returned. That was followed up by their first goal in the game, and Jason Robertson’s first goal of the playoffs off of a tipped shot to cut the lead in half.</p>



<p>But only a few minutes later, McDavid responded with his second of the night to regain the two-goal lead for the Oilers, and that began the onslaught of goals for Edmonton. Zach Hyman scored two straight goals in the third period to put the game out of reach, and John Klingberg added one more for good measure to give the Oilers the 6-1 win, and the 2-1 series lead.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="163"></div>



<p>Hyman had an assist along with the two goals for a three-point night, while Nugent-Hopkins battled through that big hit to get three assists in the game. Meanwhile, Stuart Skinner had his first win of the playoffs while allowing a goal, and his first game with a save percentage between .834 and .999.</p>


Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) and center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates a goal scored by McDavid against the Dallas Stars during the first period in game three of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place.