The Edmonton Oilers once again came out flying, putting all the pressure on Jake Oettinger and the Dallas Stars. As the game moved into the second period, Peter DeBoer and the Stars made noticeable adjustments and were far better at suppressing the Oilers from maintaining and form of pressure in the Dallas end. As the game went on, the Oilers collectively just looked like they were gassed and had no answer for the Stars at any end of the ice.

While that is less than ideal, a very similar narrative was said after Game 5 against the Canucks, where Edmonton played two of their best games of the post-season immediately after. Splitting the series 1-1 on the road in Dallas gives the Oilers something to build off of as they return home. I expect a far more aggressive response from the Edmonton Oilers on home ice, hopefully with some more optimal line matches as well.

The big story for this game is Ryan McLeod being taken out of the lineup and Adam Henrique playing his first game since Game 5 of the Kings series back in Round 1. Adam Henrique has shown he can score goals, regardless of where he is in the lineup which is exactly what the Oilers need out of their bottom six. Henrique will likely centre Warren Foegele and Derek Ryan.

I have no real issue taking McLeod out of the lineup for a game or two but Warren Foegele is the next player I pull if he can't step up. In the two games against Dallas, here are the stats for Foegele and McLeod.

Foegele: 0 goals, 1 assist, 2 shots, 2 hits, 0 blocks
McLeod: 0 goals, 0 assists, 5 shots, 7 hits, 0 blocks

McLeod certainly has not brought nearly enough offense but neither has Foegele. His "assist" was a pass to Ceci in his own end. Getting the puck into the Stars end under control, the shot and the rebound were all Ceci and Connor Brown. Foegele's performance has been well below expectations and he is the next one out if Edmonton needs another shakeup.

Through the first two games against the Stars, Stuart Skinner has had a very strong performance. I didn't love the first goal against in Game 2 but through the second and third periods where the Stars had ample sustained pressure in the Oilers end, Skinner stood tall and kept it a one goal game. That loss is not on Skinner, it's one the top players who couldn't muster anything.

Leon Draisaitl's impressive playoff point streak ended last game. Through the first 13 games, Draisaitl scored 9 goals, 16 assists, and 25 points. That is historic production but eventually he was going to get held off the scoresheet for a game. We know Draisaitl is dealing with at least a broken finger or two which is certainly affecting aspects of his play. I expect a stronger performance from Leon in Game 3.

After Edmonton dominating the Tanev and Lindell pairing in Game 1, the Stars shutdown pairing was far more effective in Game 2. Part of Knoblauch's plan will be to try and move his top guys away from this pairing and focus on the weaker third pairing of the Stars of Suter and Petrovic.

Roope Hintz is a game time decision for the Stars.

We expected this series to be a close, back and forth affair and so far it has come as expected. Edmonton needs to refocus their attention on tonight's game and find a way to get back on top in this series in front of their fans.

Thanks for reading.

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