GAME 3 RECAP: "Falling Stars"
- Ivan Dawkins
- May 25
- 3 min read
The Stars were not big or bright in Edmonton on Sunday as the Oilers capitalize on an early missed delay of game call to seize the momentum and grab a 2-1 series lead.
May 25, 2025 - Ivan Dawkins, BS3 Network COO/Staff Writer
TURNING POINT
The Stars were more like twinkling Christmas lights that didn't quite make it to Edmonton on Sunday than shooting stars. Meanwhile, the Oilers were busy playing Monopoly, snatching up the momentum with a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, thanks to an early missed delay of game call. They cruised to a commanding 6-1 victory, taking a 2-1 series lead in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final.
The Dallas Stars-Edmonton Oilers series was tied 1-1 going into Sunday's game 3. The game was tightly contested early in the 1st period until...The game’s turning point came in the first period when the Oilers were not penalized for a delay of game infraction. The missed call proved costly, as the Oilers capitalized by scoring two goals within 36 seconds, to go up 2-0 and effectively putting the game out of reach.
LACK OF OFFENSE
Dallas struggled offensively without top-line center Roope Hintz, who remained sidelined due to a lower-body injury sustained in Game 2. Hintz’s absence was felt as the Stars managed only one goal, highlighting the challenges they face with or without their key playmaker. Who knows where they would be without the success of their power play thus far. The Oilers’ victory not only gives them the series lead but also shifts the momentum firmly in their favor as they prepare for Game 4. The Stars will need to regroup and find ways to generate offense to avoid falling into a deeper series deficit.
PENALTIES
The Stars took 4 penalties in Sunday's game. Fortunately, their penalty kill was strong. The oilers only scored once on the power play. However, it's still not a sustainable game plan to take more than a penalty a period on average...especially when you are getting beat badly at even strength.
Lian Bichsel - Period 2 - 2 minutes for tripping
Sam Steel - Period 2 - 2 minutes for tripping
Thomas Harley - Period 3 - 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct
Collin Blackwell - Period 3 - 2 minutes for roughing
SIGNIFICANT PLUS/MINUS
There are two players in the 2025 NHL playoffs with double digit negative plus minus stats. They are both on the Dallas Stars. In hockey, the plus-minus (+/-) is a statistic used to measure a player's impact on the game in terms of goal differential while they are on the ice. Here's what you need to remember. A player gets a ‘plus’ (+1) when they are on the ice and their team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal. A player gets a ‘minus’ (-1) when they are on the ice and the opposing team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal. Power play goals (when the player’s team is on the man advantage) do not count toward plus-minus.
Wyatt Johnston: -17
Matt Duchene: -13
SHAKY JAKY
The Rogers Place jumbotron caught a fan holding a sign in the crowd that read, "SHAKY JAKY". This was in reference to Stars' goalie Jake Oettinger's performance or lack thereof. Otter faced 24 shots and gave up 6 goals. That's a save percentage of 75%, which is pedestrian at best. His worst period by the numbers was the 3rd, where he allowed 3 goals on 6 shots. His counterpart Stuart Skinner had a fantastic game turning away 35 out of 36 shots on goal. That's a save percentage of 97.2%. The good news is that Jake has shown to be pretty darn good between the pipes after a loss. Let's face it, as Coach Pete DeBoer stated in his postgame press conference today, the Stars would not be in the Western Conference final without Otter.
REMATCH
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday 5/27/2025 - 7PM 7DT/6PM MDT at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, where the Oilers will look to extend their series lead, and the Stars aim to even the series. The Stars need a win on Tuesday like Texans need A/C in July!!!
Ivan Dawkins is a journalist for bs3network.com - because someone has to make sense of this madness. Follow him on X at @ikingdawk before he tweets something he can't take back.
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