Edmonton Oilers win game, lose Hyman, tighten noose around Stars

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Sport 4 in any playoff collection is at all times to swing recreation, and that was the case once more Tuesday at Rogers Place as a result of when it was throughout, the Dallas Stars have been swinging from the tip of a noose.

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The Edmonton Oilers kicked the stool out from below Dallas with a 4-1 victory to take a 3-1 lead within the Western Convention Closing. And now, if historical past is any indication, it’s solely a matter of time till the Stars cease kicking.

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The Oilers improved to 11-2 of their final 13 playoff video games and are 17-2 in Video games 4 via 7 of a playoff collection during the last two years. They’re additionally 8-1 during the last 4 years after they have an opportunity to shut out a collection and 17-1 all time when they’re up 3-1 in a collection.

For those who’re Dallas, that is some unhealthy math. When the stakes are excessive, the Oilers’ killer intuition is ruthless.

For those who’re the Oilers, being one win away from one other berth within the Stanley Cup Closing is a dream that’s now shut sufficient to the touch. They’re plowing via the very best groups within the Western Convention, gaining velocity and momentum within the course of.

“Feeling good,” grinned Leon Draisaitl, who had a objective and an help for 23 factors in 15 post-season video games. “We just won a big game at home, and we’re going to Dallas to have the chance to move on to the Stanley Cup Final. If that doesn’t get you excited, I’m not sure what will.”

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The Oilers and Stars waged a ferocious battle, precisely what you’d anticipate when one staff is combating for its life and the opposite is trying to administer a fast demise.

And, as soon as once more, the Oilers discovered a method to win. This time, it was by profitable the special-teams battle. Edmonton scored twice on the ability play, killed three of 4 penalties and that was the distinction.

The Stars are studying what the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights simply discovered — a technique or one other, whether or not it’s five-on-five, with goaltending, with offence, with defence or on the ability play, the Oilers will discover a method to beat you.

“They have been the best power play for the last five years and when things haven’t gone well they take ownership,” stated head coach Kris Knoblauch. “All five of those guys were dialled in and wanting to make a difference. They made a difference with two goals tonight.”

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Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the longest-serving member of the Oilers, is having a whale of a collection (two objectives and 7 assists), arrange the primary two Edmonton objectives — one from Draisaitl 11:23 into the primary interval and one from Corey Perry 9:20 into the second to provide Edmonton a 2-1 lead heading into the ultimate body.

No person deserves one other journey to the Stanley Cup Closing greater than the 32-year-old, 14-year veteran, who’s been although loads of lean years with this franchise, and he’s doing every part he can to make that attainable.

“He sacrifices a lot of offence throughout the year for doing everything the right way, been in the right position and doing the little things that a lot of guys don’t want to do,” stated Draisaitl. “We all know he’s capable of putting up numbers and making great plays. Right now everything is clicking at once and he’s been the best player in the series.”

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With a one-goal lead heading into the third interval, the Oilers went into shutdown mode, holding the Stars to 4 photographs within the third interval for the second recreation in a row earlier than Kasperi Kapanen and Adam Henrique iced it with empty-netters.

The Stars have some gifted offensive gamers, however they’ve been held to 2 objectives within the final three video games by an Oilers staff that locks its down with the perfect of them.

“You guys ask us about our checking and defensive play all the time, those guys can defend,” stated Knoblauch. “They’re good at it, and good when it matters most — in the third period holding the lead. There’s a lot of older guys with playoff experience, they know what it takes to win hockey games.”

As soon as once more, Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner saved the Stars from gaining any form of momentum. He stopped 16 photographs within the first interval and eight of 9 within the second, and 28 of 29 general. The one one which received by him was Jason Robertson’s power-play snipe at 6:57 of the second interval.

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The sport got here at an enormous value, although, as Zach Hyman, who has 109 hits within the playoffs and scored two objectives final recreation, is misplaced for the playoffs after a first-period hit from Mason Marchment. Hyman dropped his stick instantly after the collision and headed straight to the Oilers room with with an injured arm or shoulder.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch stated Wednesday morning that Hyman would require surgical procedure.

“It’s a big loss, he’s a big part of our team on and off the ice,” stated Nugent-Hopkins. “You’ve seen his physicality, it’s important to our game, but other guys have already have stepped up and tried to fill that gap. We’re going to need it obviously, in however many games we have left and we’ll wait to see about Zach.

“But guys are ready to step up. This is the time of year where everybody is champing at the bit to get out there. Tonight was a big one and part of it felt like we were doing it for Zach to get the job done.”

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