The Western Conference Final swung firmly in favour of the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night, as Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman each netted a brace in a commanding 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. With this emphatic win, the Oilers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, and head into Game 4 on home ice full of momentum and confidence.
For a game billed as a finely poised clash between two evenly matched teams, it didn’t take long for the Oilers to shatter any illusions of balance. From the moment Evan Bouchard broke the deadlock late in the first period, the floodgates began to creak—and Edmonton didn’t look back.
McDavid Dominates as Stars Struggle
Connor McDavid, once again proving why he’s among the greatest players of his generation, delivered a stunning performance. After assisting on Bouchard’s opener, he rifled a first-time shot into the roof of the net less than a minute later to double the Oilers’ lead. Even when the Stars momentarily clawed one back through Jason Robertson in the second, McDavid was on hand to restore the two-goal cushion with a precision wrist shot that left Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger grasping at thin air.
Zach Hyman, who has become a consistent force in this year’s playoffs, added two third-period goals—one off a breakaway, the other from a slick 2-on-1 rush. Both goals underlined Edmonton’s ability to strike in transition and punish the Stars for even the slightest error.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evander Kane combined for six assists, acting as the engines behind much of Edmonton’s offensive success. And while the Oilers’ power play didn’t play a decisive role this time, their five-on-five play was clinical—something McDavid noted post-match as a new and welcome evolution in the team’s game.
Skinner Stands Tall in the Crease
If there were any doubts about Stuart Skinner heading into this series, they’ve now been firmly dismissed. The Oilers’ netminder was sensational between the pipes, stopping 33 of 34 shots and frustrating Dallas during a second-period barrage in which the Stars outshot Edmonton 21-7.
It was in those crucial moments—particularly with the game still within reach at 3-1—where Skinner made his mark. A glove save on Tyler Seguin in the slot drew particular praise, as it directly preceded Hyman’s breakaway goal that effectively iced the contest at 4-1.
While Skinner had to rely heavily on his defence in Game 2’s shutout, this was a performance where he carried the load—and rightly earned MVP shouts.
Dallas Falter Without Hintz
Missing Roope Hintz to a lower-body injury, the Dallas Stars lacked bite in the final third despite a valiant middle-period push. Coach Pete DeBoer praised his team’s effort and structure but acknowledged the absence of his top-line centre left a noticeable void.
Jason Robertson was one of the few bright spots, tallying his third goal of the series, but otherwise, Dallas struggled to turn puck possession into sustained pressure. Their defensive lapses—particularly in transition—were punished with ruthless efficiency by Edmonton.
With Game 4 fast approaching, the Stars must regroup quickly. Falling into a 3-1 series hole against a team firing on all cylinders would be a difficult scenario to reverse.
America Bet Tip Tracker: How Did Our Predictions Fare?
Let’s break down how our 10 pre-game betting tips held up following the result:
- ✅ Edmonton Oilers to win
- ❌ Under 5.5 Total Goals
- ✅ Edmonton Oilers -1.5 Puck Line
- ✅ Stuart Skinner to record Over 26.5 saves
- ✅ Connor McDavid Anytime Goal Scorer
- ✅ Leon Draisaitl Over 1.5 Points (2 assists)
- ❌ First Period – Total Goals Under 1.5
- ✅ Edmonton Oilers to score first
- ✅ Dallas Stars Under 2.5 Total Goals
- ✅ Both Teams NOT to Score in First Period
A hugely successful night for punters following America Bet’s tips, with 8 out of 10 predictions hitting the mark. From McDavid’s dominance to Skinner’s saves and the Oilers’ first-period statement, this was a textbook result for informed bettors.
For full previews and daily predictions across the NHL playoffs, be sure to visit the America Bet homepage and stay ahead of the action.
