Breaking news: Oilers expect Stars to push back in Game 6 of Western Conference final
The Edmonton Oilers played their most comprehensive game of the season in their Western Conference final Game 5 win against the Dallas Stars, securing a 3-1 victory. The Oilers dominated the Stars, limiting them to just 10 shots in the first two periods and never appearing to be in danger of losing.
As the Oilers look to close out the series and set a date with the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final, coach Kris Knoblauch believes his team will need to elevate their performance even further. The coach suggests that the effort that was sufficient in Game 5 will not be enough to secure a win in Game 6.
Ahead of Game 6 at Rogers Place, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch expects the Dallas Stars to bring their best effort. Knoblauch acknowledges that the Oilers played well in Game 5 but believes it was not enough to secure a win in an elimination game. He emphasizes that the team needs to improve further to beat the Stars, stating that their recent performance could have gone either way.
The Edmonton Oilers are familiar with facing elimination, having recently overcome a 3-2 deficit against the Vancouver Canucks in the previous round. Oilers winger Zach Hyman emphasizes that when a team’s season is on the line, they find an extra level of desperation and determination. He acknowledges that to win the fourth game and eliminate an opponent is the hardest thing to do, especially at home with everything on the line.
Hyman also notes that the pre-game jitters have subsided compared to the first round, and the team now has a calm, business-like attitude. Oilers captain Connor McDavid echoes this sentiment, stating that the team’s leadership group is not sensing any nerves or anxieties in the room.
Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer has announced one lineup change for Game 6, with Mavrik Bourque drawing in and Ty Dellandrea going out. DeBoer believes his team is calm going into the game, as they have players who have experience in high-pressure situations like gold-medal games, world championships, and Olympics. The Stars have also faced elimination before, having defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 7 of the first round.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch expects the Stars to bring their best effort in Game 6, as they are facing elimination. He acknowledges that while the Oilers played well in Game 5, it may not be enough to beat the Stars in an elimination game. Knoblauch suggests that the Oilers need to improve further to secure a win, stating that their recent performance could have gone either way.
The Stars have a 6-2 record in road playoff games in 2024, and Knoblauch believes the Oilers may make one change to their lineup, but the decision will be made after the pre-game warmup. Veteran Corey Perry is expected to play on Sunday night, despite missing about a period of Game 5 with what appeared to be a shoulder problem.
