McDavid Leads Edmonton Oilers to Thrilling Victory Over Dallas Stars in Western Conference Final

Connor McDavid experienced the longest four minutes of his life in the penalty box during overtime.

The Oilers survived their captain’s double-minor for high-sticking in OT on Thursday, and McDavid, a three-time NHL MVP and five-time scoring champion, had a chance to win the game. 

Had the Oilers not pulled off a victory, McDavid would have been restless all night.

Fortunately, the superstar secured the win. McDavid redirected a pass from Evan Bouchard 32 seconds into double OT, giving Edmonton a 3-2 victory over Dallas and a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference final.

The game’s outcome could have been different. Edmonton killed McDavid’s penalty from the opening faceoff of OT—Jason Robertson hit both of Stuart Skinner’s posts in quick succession on the ensuing power play. 

“Long, really long … really, really long,” McDavid said about his time in the penalty box. “Miserable. I hated every second of it, but the guys did an amazing job.”

McDavid nearly won it later in the first extra period but was denied. 

Zach Hyman, with a goal and an assist, and Leon Draisaitl also scored for Edmonton. The Oilers have now recorded six one-goal victories in these playoffs, killing 37 of 40 penalties.

Tyler Seguin scored twice for Dallas, which went 0-for-5 on the power play. The Stars have now lost seven straight Game 1s.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Saturday at American Airlines Center. The best-of-seven series shifts to Rogers Place in Alberta on Monday and Wednesday.

McDavid joined Wayne Gretzky as the only two players in NHL history to record 20 assists through 13 or fewer games in a post-season multiple times after setting up Hyman’s second-period goal.

Draisaitl became the fifth different player all-time to open a post-season with a 13-game point streak.

McDavid also had 20 assists in 13 playoff games in 2022. Gretzky accomplished the feat in 11 games in 1983 and 1985, and in 13 contests in 1987.

The Stars tied it with 3:23 left in regulation when Robertson’s shot hit Evgenii Dadonov and bounced to Seguin for his second goal.

“If we didn’t pull that game out, I’m not sure Connor would have slept tonight,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said. “It’s only fitting that he was the hero.”

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