Stuart Skinner blanks Stars as Oilers even West finals

Field Level Media|published: Fri 23rd May, 23:26 2025

May 23, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) scores a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in the first period for game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Goaltender Stuart Skinner posted his third shutout of the playoffs to backstop the visiting Edmonton Oilers to a 3-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday and even their Western Conference final series.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins collected one goal and one assist to lead the Oilers, who tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Brett Kulak and Connor Brown also scored, while Evan Bouchard netted a pair of assists.

Skinner made 25 saves to earn his fourth career playoff shutout, his biggest a sprawling stick stop in the third period when Esa Lindell thought he had an open net.

Goalie Jake Oettinger stopped 22 shots for the Stars, who were blanked for the fourth time in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs.

Game 3 of the series will be Sunday afternoon in Edmonton.

After failing to score a road power-play goal in the first two rounds, the Oilers opened the scoring with a second man-advantage marker in as many outings when Nugent-Hopkins redirected Bouchard's point shot at the 5:51 mark. Leon Draisaitl drew the second assist, his 14th of the playoffs.

Kulak doubled the Edmonton lead at 15:23 of the second period. Seconds after Skinner denied a golden chance, Kulak stepped up from his point position for a feed and converted his own second chance for his first goal of the playoffs.

With his assist on the goal, Connor McDavid became the fourth player in NHL history to collect 20 or more points in four consecutive playoff runs, joining Sergei Fedorov of the Detroit Red Wings, and New York Islanders greats Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier.

Brown made it a three-goal edge 73 seconds later by heading to the net and redirecting a Nugent-Hopkins shot.

Dallas forward Roope Hintz needed help to the dressing room early in the third period after being on the receiving end of a slash near the ankle from Darnell Nurse, for which he was assessed a two-minute penalty. Hintz did not return.

Skinner tied the franchise record for shutouts in a playoff year, equaling the mark set by Curtis Joseph in 1998.

--Field Level Media