Stuart Skinner shutout the Stars 3-0 and ties the series in the 2025 Western Conference Final
- Lyanna Yeow
- May 23, 2025
- 4 min read
Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars (GAME 2)
The Edmonton Oilers won Game 2 in the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars on May 23, 2025. This matchup took place at American Airlines Center and ended with an Oilers’ 3-0 shutout. Read about what led to the Oilers’ win, the standout players of each team, stats, and when their next game is scheduled!
Game Recap
The Oilers kicked off the first period with an early power play goal scored by #93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins seventeen seconds into their man-advantage (1-0). About two minutes after the Oilers scored first goal of the game, the Stars found themselves with a chance to score a game-tying power play goal after Oilers’ #90 Corey Perry received a roughing penalty. The Oilers remained unfazed as the in net performance by #74 Stuart Skinner and their penalty kill unit kept the Stars’ power play scoreless. After a series of back and forth scoring chances, the game remained stagnant until the Stars’ penalty kill unit was put to the test late in the first period. Stars’ goaltender, #29 Jake Oettinger, was able to stay solid in net and keep it a one-goal game going into the second period.
Although the Oilers started the second period with a minute and thirty-one seconds left on their man-advantage from their first period, they were unable to extend their lead after the impressive saves made by #29 Oettinger. The score remained at a standstill until the last five minutes of the period when #27 Brett Kulak and #28 Connor Brown extended the Oilers’ lead with back-to-back goals scored a minute and thirteen seconds apart from one another (3-0). The Stars attempted to cut their goal-deficit in the final two minutes of this period but found themselves playing a more defensive game after #29 Oettinger received a delay of game penalty which put the Oilers on the power play with fifty-two seconds left in the period. After a frustrating second period for the Stars, the Oilers found themselves going into the last period of regulation with a 3-0 lead and over a minute left on the power play.
The Stars’ struggles continued into the third period as they found themselves at an even bigger disadvantage after receiving an interference penalty while killing off the remainder of the second period delay of game penalty. The Oilers had great scoring chances on their extended power play but struggled to get any pucks past #29 Oettinger early in the period. After killing off both Oilers’ power play opportunities, the Stars had a chance on the man-advantage but remained scoreless against #74 Skinner. Midway through the period, the teams played 4-on-4 hockey after Oilers’ #92 Vasily Pdokolzin received a roughing penalty when he retaliated against a cross check from Stars’ #6 Lian Bichsel. Although the Stars maintained control during 4-on-4 hockey and nearly made it a two-goal game, #74 Skinner pulled through for the Oilers and kept it a 3-0 game. Built up frustration by the Stars led to another power play opportunity for the Oilers with three minutes left in regulation. Despite being able to kill off the Oilers’ man-advantage, the Stars last push in the final minutes of Game 2 was not enough to offset the Oilers' 3-0 shutout. The impressive efforts to bounce back from their Game 1 upset helped the Oilers to tie the series 1-1 and force Game 5 in the Western Conference Finals.
The standout players
Edmonton Oilers
Dallas Stars
Goaltender: #29 Jake Oettinger had a save percentage of 0.880% after he saved 22 out of 25 shots on goal
Stats
The Oilers slightly outshot the Stars (25 SOG vs. 24SOG)
The Oilers delivered more hits than the Stars (49 hits vs. 28 hits)
The Stars won more faceoffs than the Oilers (59.6% vs. 40.4%)
The Oilers had a higher power play success rate than the Stars (20 PP% vs. 0 PP%)
SUMMARY: The Oilers’ physicality, goaltending, and overall ability to capitalize on their scoring chances helped to secure their 3-0 shutout despite the Stars having relatively the same amount of puck possession and winning more faceoffs.
Upcoming Games
GAME 3
When: May 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM PST
Where: Rogers Place
Watch: SN, CBC, TVAS, ABC, ESPN+
GAME 4
When: May 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: Rogers Place
Watch: SN, CBC, TVAS, ESPN, ESPN+
GAME 5
When: May 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: American Airlines Center
Watch: ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
NOTE: Games 6-7 will be scheduled if necessary
GAME 6
When: May 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: Rogers Place
Watch: SN, CBC, TVAS, ABC, ESPN+
GAME 7
When: June 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: American Airlines Center
Watch: ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are tied 1-1 in WCF of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Who do you think is going to win Game 3?
Comment down below!
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