In the second overtime period, McDavid scores the game-winning goal as the Oilers overcome the Stars’ penalty to win 3-2.

Just seconds into the first overtime of the Western Conference Final, Oilers captain Connor McDavid was punished for a double-minor penalty. That made him feel utterly terrible as he sat in the penalty box.

The moment McDavid scored with just 32 seconds remaining in the second overtime period thanks to a tip-in from Evan Bouchard, his teammates were booing him. On Thursday night, Edmonton defeated the Dallas Stars 3-2.

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“It was satisfying to score in overtime,” McDavid remarked. “A major objective.”

particularly in light of the onset of overtime events.

At the beginning of the first overtime period, after the Oilers captain had won their faceoff, McDavid and Matt Duchene were skating away from the center circle next to each other. When Duchene struck his face with a stick, there wasn’t a whistle at first, despite McDavid’s claim that his stick was being restrained.

Officials didn’t do a replay study until Stars goalkeeper Jake Oettinger stopped the clock on a Bouchard shot 17 seconds into overtime. That, along with the blood on Duchene’s bottom lip, prompted them to call for a high-stick penalty.

“It was unclear to me what exactly I was supposed to do there,” McDavid remarked. “I’m attempting to play the puck as I move forward. It seems as though he is grasping my stick. The high stick didn’t even really feel like it was there. I believe he looks down on my stick. Perhaps simply unlucky, I suppose.”

Regarding his stint in the penalty area, “Very lengthy.” Extremely lengthy. Bad. detested every minute of it.

Zach Hyman scored a goal and assisted in the Oilers’ victory, while Leon Draisaitl extended his point run that began the playoffs to 13 games. Three nights after they won Game 7 away from home in Vancouver to close up their second-round series, Stuart Skinner saved 31 shots, nine of which came in overtime.

The Stars, who have lost Game 1 of their past seven postseason series since 2022, were led by Tyler Seguin in both of their goals.

Seguin stated, “I think there have been a few Game 1s where we’ve really been feeling it out and laying a few eggs.” Tonight, that was not the case. This was somewhat unique. Thus, there are plenty of foundations to work from.

This Saturday night is game two.

In regulation, Dallas was 0 for 3 on power plays and used a timeout following three shots and a post-hit by Jason Robertson within the first three minutes of that double-minor penalty. However, McDavid left the penalty box after the Stars managed just one more chance on goal.

With roughly 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the first overtime, McDavid had an opportunity to put the game out of the score, but his shot was stopped when defenseman Chris Tanev and Oettinger both laid down their sticks to keep the puck out of the net. In the second overtime, it was impossible to stop the captain of the Oilers.

Here, we’re not shocked. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm of the Oilers declared, “He’s the best in the world.” “He looked good in the first overtime as well. In my experience, he doesn’t receive a second denial.

Oettinger pulled up 35 saves.

With 3:23 remaining in regulation, Seguin had an active shift, touching the puck multiple times before beating Skinner to the open net. This tied the score at 2. The ball left Evgenii Dadonov’s stick and crossed the crease as he was sandwiched between two opposing defenders.

Leon Draisaitl’s goal, his tenth of the postseason, gave Edmonton the lead just over a minute into the second period. His shot, which ricocheted off Stars defenseman Esa Lindell, was from just inside the right circle following a shot by Brett Kulak.

McDavid assisted with the first goal from behind the net, even though he did not receive credit for the assist. When he shoved the puck out front, he tripped and was sitting on the board, allowing Hyman to get a piece of it before Kulak.

About three and a half minutes later, McDavid did receive the assist on Hyman’s goal, making it 2-0. Tanev was struck by the captain’s backhanded crossing pass before Hyman stole the puck and scored.

With almost eight minutes remaining in the second period, Ekholm got a puck past Oettinger, giving Edmonton a two-goal lead again, but it smacked against the crossbar.

Jamie Benn, the captain of the Stars, pulled Skinner out with a push toward the net to bring the team within 2-1. Benn’s backhander sailed behind him and across the crease to Seguin, who pushed it past Kulak’s knees as the goalkeeper leaned forward and spread eagle.

Over the course of more than five games, the Oilers have killed 20 straight penalties, including the double-minor in overtime. After finishing in the middle of the pack during the regular season, they are now the best in the league this postseason with 92.5% (37 of 40).

They have so many connections. Regarding the Oilers’ PK team, McDavid stated, “So in sync and skating well.” There are instances when it’s difficult to discern if they have an extra guy. Seeing it is a lot of joy.

And after being the player in the box, it’s a big relief.