Edmonton Oilers Trail Dallas Stars 1-0 in Western Final After Third-Period Collapse

The Edmonton Oilers suffered a stunning 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final after leading 3-1 through two periods, with Dallas scoring five unanswered goals in the third period largely fueled by power-play opportunities resulting from Edmonton's penalties. Head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged the team's discipline issues and the difficulty of being shorthanded for six minutes in the final frame but expressed confidence in the Oilers' ability to rebound, citing their history of comeback wins earlier in the playoffs. Knoblauch and captain Connor McDavid both emphasized that despite the collapse, they see no need for major lineup changes heading into Game 2, with the same roster expected to play as they focus on smarter play and staying out of the penalty box. Goaltender Stuart Skinner struggled in the third period, allowing five goals on 27 shots after previously posting back-to-back shutouts in the prior series. The Oilers' power play struggled on defense, allowing Dallas to score three power-play goals, which was a key factor in the third-period turnaround. Overall, the Oilers aim to even the series by tightening their discipline and maintaining composure under pressure in the upcoming game.