In the hockey NHL, Dallas, the Western regular season winner, lost to Edmonton in the first conference final. Connor McDavid decided the match that went to overtime.
The first conference final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars turned out to be an eventful thriller, which Edmonton eventually won 3–2.
The opening struggle of the match series was decided only in the second overtime, when Edmonton’s captain Connor McDavid scored the winning goal by Evan Bouchard input. McDavid scored 1+1 in the match and increased his playoff points to 23 already.
Edmonton’s Swedish defender Mattias Ekholm did not spare words of praise when talking about McDavid after the match.
– This does not surprise anyone. He is the best player in the world. He already had a place in the first overtime, but I know from experience that he cannot be stopped twice, Ekholm commented on the outcome of the match for ESPN.
The Finnish defenders of the home team Dallas Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell were left without power points. Stars forward Roope Hintz and defender Jani Hakanpää were sidelined for the match due to injuries.
The opening games of the playoff series have been challenging for Dallas. During this or last season, the team has not managed to win the first match of any playoff round.
Jake Oettinger’s save was not enough
Edmonton jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the second period, leading the points market in the playoffs Leon Draisaitl mixed by Zach Hyman with goals.
Tyler Seguin put Dallas in contention by scoring in both the second and third periods. Seguin managed to equalize 2–2 three minutes before the end of regular time.
When the first overtime had been played for more than 14 minutes, McDavid was offered a great place to decide the match. Made 35 saves in the Dallas goal Jake Oettinger however, managed to miss his racket like a miracle.
At the beginning of the second overtime, McDavid was offered a new spot, and the Canadian striker did not make a mistake again.
With the win, Edmonton secured their first berth in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Western Conference finals continue the night before Sunday, when the teams meet again on Dallas’ home court.
In the Eastern division, the New York Rangers will host the Florida Panthers early on Saturday Finnish time. Florida leads the series with wins 1–0.