The Dallas Stars came away with a disappointing Game 1 loss yet again in what has become a theme for the team, but they are looking to rebound in Game 2 at home against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers picked up a 3-2 double overtime victory on Thursday after the Stars missed multiple shots by mere inches and failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities Edmonton provided. Dallas was 0-for-5 on power plays, including going 0-for-2 in a double minor in the first overtime period.
“Obviously, you’ve got to score on that double minor,” coach Pete DeBoer said to NHL.com. “That’s probably the game right there. In a perfect world, we’d like to win Game 1. We’d like to win every series four straight too. It just doesn’t happen. I think the main thing is, you’ve got to find a way to survive and move on.”
Dallas lost the first two games in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season and the first game in the second round, but the team found ways to rally back to find themselves in the Western Conference Final that will determine who competes for the cup.
In Game 1, the Stars had 17 Grade A shots but managed only two scores. If center Roope Hintze is able to go, the team could get a significant offensive boost. He has been the team’s top center and commands attention from defenses, which leads to opportunities for other players. Hintz is still considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury he suffered in Game 4 against Colorado.
It is unlikely that Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch will swap out his starting lineup after three consecutive victories despite Dallas demonstrating in Game 1 that they have the skill and muscle to break through the lines. The one possible shake-up that could come is the potential return of center Adam Henrique, who has been dealing with an ankle injury since Game 4 of the first series. Knoblauch told the media that Henrique was “98 percent” after the Game 1 victory, as reported by The Edmonton Journal.
Historically, teams have had trouble overcoming Game 1 losses, which are even more challenging in the finals. Overall, teams that lose Game 1 are just 247-522 in best-of-seven series.
“This time of the year, you kind of expect that,” Stars center Tyler Seguin said. “Two teams here in the West are here for a reason, so it’s going to be little inches out there, little bounces, so it’s going to be a fun opportunity, and we’ve got to win the next one at home.”
Game 2 will begin at 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Oilers have a 1-0 advantage in the seven-game series.
