Game 1 Notebook: Superstars in highlight for Oilers-Stars rematch

DALLAS — So they meet once more, an similar Western Conference Final to a 12 months in the past, when the Edmonton Oilers bounced the Dallas Stars in six video games.

What’s the largest factor that has to switch for the Stars to finally end up at the different facet of that outcome this time round?

“Don’t go 0-for-14 on the power play,” stated Stars head trainer Pete DeBoer. “Really, particular groups determined the sequence.

“When I look back at last year’s series, I don’t think we could’ve played a better Game 6, the elimination game in Edmonton. They found a way to win that game, they found a way to score timely goals.”

You’ll recall the Oilers scoring two power-play targets within the first length of Game 6, after which placing on the remainder of the best way. Dallas outshot them 34-10 however went 0-for-3 at the continual play, and simplest Mason Marchment may just remedy Stuart Skinner, in what used to be most probably Skinner’s greatest hour as an Oiler.

“Stu probably had his best series,” recalled Zach Hyman, “and I just thought that special teams were important. There wasn’t one specific thing — those are all things that usually help you win series.”

Today, the Oilers input Round 3 with an influence play this is at 25.6 %, however has long gone 0-for-14 at the street in those playoffs.

Florida (88.1 in step with cent), Carolina (87.9 in step with cent) and Dallas (86.1 in step with cent) have the highest 3 penalty kills within the post-season, whilst the Oilers — having been savaged early in Round 1 by way of the L.A. Kings — are at 66.7 in step with cent.

The different second DeBoer referenced used to be that Game 6 power-play purpose by way of Connor McDavid, the place he walked off the flank, beat Sam Steel, then Miro Heiskanen, earlier than backhanding a puck to the shelf for a 1-0 lead.

“Difference-makers are important this time of year. It’s why they get paid the money they get paid in this league,” stated DeBoer, who welcomes a type of in Mikko Rantanen. “McDavid did that final 12 months, that power-play purpose he scored. We couldn’t had been in a greater place, 4 guys round, and he unearths a technique to put one within the web.

“There are only a handful of those guys in the league that can make something out of nothing. Edmonton has two of them. So, it’s nice we have one this year.”

The maximum notable lineup exchange this night sees Viktor Arvidsson as a most probably substitute on proper wing for Connor Brown, who has been absent from follow of past due and didn’t take the morning skate previous to Game 1.

Arvidsson, who got here out of the lineup for Game 4 of the Vegas sequence — changed by way of Game 5 extra time hero Kasperi Kapanen — will bounce again on a line with Evander Kane and centre Adam Henrique. A veteran of 81 profession playoff video games and 631 regular-season tilts — to not point out a number of world assignments for Team Sweden — this isn’t Arvidsson’s first rodeo, a comforting perception for head trainer Kris Knoblauch.

“I know the amount of games he’s played and how well he’s done,” Knoblauch stated. “Not having him in the lineup with everyone available has been a difficult decision as it is. If someone’s not available to play, I have no hesitation to have him in the lineup.”

Knoblauch referred to as Brown a “game-time decision.” In different roster information, goalie Calvin Pickard (decrease frame) didn’t make the travel to Dallas with the crew, whilst Mattias Ekholm took an ordinary shift at follow, regardless that publicly the Oilers are pronouncing they don’t be expecting him to play in Games 1 or 2.

Here are your anticipated strains for this night:

Nugent-Hopkins McDavid Hyman

Podkolzin Draisaitl Kapanen

Dallas has been identified to head 11-and-7, and that can be the deciding issue on whether or not defenceman Alex Petrovic attracts in or no longer. Here’s how they appeared on the skate:

Robertson Duchene Johnston

Cody Ceci changed into a popular teammate and a revered voice within the dressing room all over his 3 seasons as an Oiler. Now he’s dressed in Victory Green and opposing his outdated friends on this winner-takes-all Western Conference Final.

“It’ll be definitely weird playing against that group. We spent a lot of time together the last few years and went on some deep runs, so it’ll be a little weird,” Ceci stated after the Stars’ morning skate. “We’re all pretty good friends off the ice, but it’ll have to just stay separate a little bit for the next couple weeks.”

Ceci, who performed 237 video games with Edmonton and 52 extra within the playoffs, used to be in particular tight with Leon Draisaitl. His circle of relatives vacationed with the Nugent-Hopkins at one level as smartly.

If this have been January, Ceci would most probably have spent Tuesday evening round a dinner desk with a couple of outdated teammates, however without a doubt no longer in Round 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“No. That’s too weird,” he stated. “The stakes are too high for that.”

Asked about Ceci, long-time spouse Darnell Nurse used to be brief and to the purpose.

“I’m not going to pump up Cece too much here. He’s on the other team,” stated Nurse. “He used to be a super spouse to play with. I see he is having luck right here and excellent for him.

“Hopefully that doesn’t carry on for this series.”