All hell broke loose in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final when both Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman put up impressive goal-scoring performances. That allowed the Edmonton Oilers to break away in the clash as they went off for a 6-1 rout and ensured that they now stand up with a 2-1 series lead – just a few more wins away from punching a ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.

The goal was to steal at least one win on the road to begin the series – and the Oilers accomplished that so far. Now they are turning the winning groove on their hands with the hopes of eventually returning to the big stage and continuing their unfinished business. The Oilers are still the heavy favorites to win it all, and it cannot be denied that they are expected to be back with the series looking to be in their favor.

Nothing has been easy in this Western Conference Final between the Oilers and the Stars so far. Both teams have been throwing punches at each other and it has definitely set up the Oilers for a prime opportunity to advance to the next round.

An Oilers Domination

Hyman had an assist to add to his game, while Evan Bouchard scored a goal and an assist. Both Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evander Kane each had three assists for the Oilers, and the no. 3 seed of the Pacific Division continues to thrive when it matters most. Even Stuart Skinner bounced back with a promising total of 33 saves.

“You have to win games different ways. You have to have dominant nights, you have to have nights where maybe your goalie is better than theirs,” McDavid said of the team’s impressive victory. “You have to have nights where your special teams gets it done. That wasn’t tonight, although I thought the kill was good.

Edmonton has relied on the classic 5v5 pattern on the attack, and it has worked like a charm for the team in the playoffs. This moves them away from the usual power play focus. Since it hasn’t clicked well for the team, Edmonton has found different ways and made adjustments to win in each chance they got.

Oilers forward Connor Brown left the game in the second period after being hit along the boards by Stars defenseman Alexander Petrovic. There remains to be no update regarding the forward’s status for the next game.

An Opportunistic Chance

The Oilers have gone up 2-1 in a playoff series for the 24th time in its history. Edmonton stands with a promising 21-3 record whenever they are up 2-1, and with this series being that way, expect the Oilers to chase more wins in the coming games. After all, they are halfway from returning to the Stanley Cup Final once more.

“It’s ebbs and flows,” Skinner said. “You can feel it right away, and sometimes you don’t feel it right away. I wish I felt it all the time, but that’s just something that comes with it, and I think for myself it’s coming out of the last game, too. I felt really good, so I’m just trying my best to keep that going.”

It is never easy to be perfect whenever you’re gunning for a long playoff chase, and it seems that the Stars now have their backs against the wall and will likely be going for a do-or-die chase in the coming days.