Stanley Cup Playoffs Day 34: McDavid and Oilers take Game 1 in double OT thriller

The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers were meeting in the playoffs for the first time since 2003, and it promised to be an exciting series between one of the league’s deepest teams and one of the league’s most talented teams. Even with those expectations, Game 1 did not disappoint.

The first period saw its fair share of chances, although Dallas managed to hold Edmonton to just three shots in the period. Any concerns with Stuart Skinner in net for the Oilers seemed to be alleviated in the frame, because he stood tall when he needed to and made some spectacular saves.

stuart skinner with two big saves early. pic.twitter.com/XUuKcSBevI

— zach (@zjlaing) May 24, 2024

It wasn’t until 58 seconds into the second period when we got our first goal of the game and the series, as a scramble behind the net saw the puck float out towards the point, which Brett Kulak pounced on and tried to get it on net. However, the shot was blocked by Esa Lindell, which then resulted in the puck bouncing over to Leon Draisaitl, who buried it with ease to make it 1-0 Oilers.

Oilers Leon Draisaitl

6th player – 7th instance – in NHL history to begin a postseason with a 13-game point streak pic.twitter.com/aPQ4E5MyqM

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 24, 2024

And only a few minutes later, Connor McDavid‘s pass on the rush was blocked, but Zach Hyman was relentless and found a way to get the puck in the net to make it 2-0 Edmonton.

McDavid's pass gets blocked but Hyman just puts in the work and gets rewarded for it pic.twitter.com/btsEpjr95G

— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) May 24, 2024

Things appeared to be going well for Edmonton, but the Stars were far from out of this game. In fact, it didn’t take long for them to get back in it. Only a couple minutes after Hyman’s goal, they got a fortunate bounce from a fanned pass from Kulak, which Jamie Benn took advantage of and attempted to deke out Skinner. He was stopped, but Tyler Seguin was there to bury the loose puck and make it a one-goal game.

TYLER SEGUIN BRINGS IT BACK TO A ONE GOAL GAME 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kbLNLIw2E8

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2024

The Oilers did a good job of slowing down the Stars, even outshooting them in both the second and third periods in an attempt to close out the game with the 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, it didn’t even last to the point where Dallas needed to pull their goalie, as with 3:23 remaining in the game, Evgenii Dadonov threw the puck towards the net, and Seguin found himself in the right spot at the right time for an easy tap-in to get his second of the game, and we were tied and going to overtime.

TYLER SEGUIN HAS TIED THE GAME WITH 3 MINUTES LEFT 🤯

2 GOAL GAME FOR SEGUIN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lU4qbvGzLd

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2024

Overtime to got off to a hectic start, as McDavid got a high-sticking double minor only 17 seconds in. However, the Oilers penalty killers came up clutch and kept the puck out of the net – even if they needed the post a couple of times to do so.

Later in the period, it looked like the Oilers got their big chance to end this game, as Hyman’s attempt to throw the puck on net set up a wide-open McDavid in front. After waiting out Jake Oettinger and seemingly having a gaping net to bury the puck, it looked like game over, but Oettinger made a desperate play with his stick to stop it.

OETTINGER JUST ROBBED MCDAVID IN OVERTIME 🤯 pic.twitter.com/40GtbiBf3s

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2024

But that wouldn’t be McDavid’s only chance. As the game shifted to double overtime, it only took 32 seconds for Evan Bouchard set up the Oilers captain perfectly in the slot, and McDavid made no mistake this time to bury his chance and end the game.

CONNOR MCDAVID WINS IT IN DOUBLE OVERTIME 😱

THE OILERS TAKE GAME 1 OF THE WCF 🚨 pic.twitter.com/K1GbudBRb6

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2024

The Oilers win Game 1 by a score of 3-2 in double overtime, and they take a 1-0 series lead. Seguin’s two goal game would go to vain for Dallas, while Skinner had a surprisingly sturdy performance by stopping 31 of 33 shots, and allowed two goals you couldn’t exactly blame him for either.