The Edmonton Oilers have surged back in style after their 6-3 defeat in Game 1, clinching a dominant 3-0 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 2. The upcoming Game 3 in the Western Conference finals, scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+, promises to be a crucial showdown as both teams vie for the upper hand in the series.
According to ESPN Research and betting insights from ESPN BET, the odds have shifted following the series being leveled at 1-1. The Oilers are now the favorites at -140 cpreviously +160c, with the Stars at +120 cpreviously -190c. Furthermore, the Oilers’ Stanley Cup winner odds have improved to +200 from +350 after Game 1, while the Stars' odds have shifted to +325 from +200 after the series opener. Notably, Connor McDavid is a strong contender for the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP with odds set at +300, trailing only Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky at +250.
The Oilers have displayed resilience throughout this postseason, winning nine out of their last 11 games after an initial 0-2 start. Additionally, their record stands at 3-2 in Game 2 matchups of conference finals/Stanley Cup semifinals following a series-opening loss, with previous victories in 1987 and 1991. On the other side, the Stars were shut out for the fourth time this postseason, a feat seldom seen in Stanley Cup history.
In a dazzling performance in Game 2, Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner achieved a shutout in his first three postseason victories, becoming only the ninth goalie to achieve this milestone. Noteworthy mentions include some legendary names like Marty Turco, Nikolai Khabibulin, and Martin Brodeur among others. Notably, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid have joined an elite club of teammates to have scored 20 points in consecutive postseasons, mirroring the success of past duos like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Looking ahead to Game 3, there are key players on both sides to watch. Edmonton defenseman Evan Bouchard has made history with 23 multipoint playoff games in the last four seasons, surpassing the previous record held by Paul Coffey. Conversely, Stars winger Mikko Rantanen is striving to end a goal drought after an impressive scoring spree earlier in the postseason. In terms of goaltending, Jake Oettinger is inching his way up the ranks for playoff wins by a U.S.-born netminder.
As the series transitions to Edmonton, the stakes are higher than ever. Skinner's exceptional performance in Game 2 has set the stage for an intense Game 3 showdown. With the series deadlocked at 1-1, every shift and save will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
In conclusion, the Western Conference finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars promises to deliver more thrilling moments as the teams battle for a shot at the Stanley Cup. Be sure to catch all the action in Game 3, with the puck drop set for 3 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. You can tune in to ABC to watch the game live or stream it on ESPN+ or Fubo for an unparalleled viewing experience. Get ready for a game filled with skill, intensity, and the determination to advance to the next round of the playoffs.