With the Western Conference final tied 1-1, the pressure turns up in Game 3 as the Edmonton Oilers return home to host the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place.
The Oilers are coming off a dominant 3-0 win in Game 2, a bounce-back effort that saw goaltender Stuart Skinner post his third shutout of the playoffs. Now, with the series heading back to Alberta, Edmonton has a prime opportunity to take control.
Dallas grabbed Game 1 in dramatic fashion, erasing a late deficit and scoring five goals in the final period. Edmonton responded like a contender, locking in defensively and scoring early in Game 2 to even the series.
The stakes only grow from here. Game 3 often shifts momentum. For the Oilers, who are 4-1 at home this postseason, both the odds and the energy are on their side.
How To Watch Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 3
Game 3 gets underway at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 25, live from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. U.S. viewers can catch the action on ABC, while fans in Canada can tune in via CBC, Sportsnet, or TVA Sports.
Streaming options include ESPN+ and Fubo, which is offering a free trial. For those planning to attend, tickets are available through StubHub.
Who's skating away with a 2-1 series lead today?! 🤔 #StanleyCup
Don't miss Game 3 between the @DallasStars and @EdmontonOilers TODAY at 3p ET on ABC, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet and @TVASports! pic.twitter.com/wshAxZTQis
— NHL (@NHL)
Stars vs. Oilers Game 3 Projected Lineups
Dallas Stars Forwards
Mikael Granlund — Roope Hintz* — Mikko Rantanen
Mason Marchment — Matt Duchene — Tyler Seguin
Jamie Benn — Wyatt Johnston — Evgenii Dadonov
Jason Robertson — Sam Steel — Colin Blackwell
Defense
Esa Lindell — Miro Heiskanen
Thomas Harley — Cody Ceci
Lian Bichsel — Alexander Petrovic
Goalies
Jake Oettinger, Casey DeSmith
(*Hintz is listed as day-to-day after taking a slash in Game 2 from Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse.)
Edmonton Oilers Forwards
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Connor McDavid — Zach Hyman
Vasily Podkolzin — Leon Draisaitl — Kasperi Kapanen
Evander Kane — Adam Henrique — Connor Brown
Trent Frederic — Mattias Janmark — Corey Perry
Defense
Brett Kulak — Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse — Troy Stecher
Jake Walman — John Klingberg
Goalies
Stuart Skinner, Olivier Rodrigue
Injured: Mattias Ekholm (day-to-day), Calvin Pickard (lower body)
Stars vs. Oilers Game 3 Key Matchups To Watch
Connor McDavid at Home
McDavid is in rare company. With 20 points through 13 playoff games, he’s hit the 20-point mark for a fourth straight postseason — something only a few NHL legends have done.
Back on home ice, head coach Kris Knoblauch can control the matchups. That means more favorable shifts for McDavid and Draisaitl, who were already tough for Dallas to handle even without the last change.
Special Teams Showdown
Dallas has the league’s top remaining power play (33.3%), but it hasn’t translated on the road, where it dips to just 17.7%. Edmonton’s penalty kill has struggled overall, sitting near the bottom at 64.1%. But at home, it’s improved to 83.3%.
That contrast could be crucial. In a close series, just one or two special-teams swings could decide the outcome.
Roope Hintz’s Health and Dallas’ 5-on-5 Struggles
Hintz hasn’t scored since Game 3 of the second round and is now dealing with an injury. His status for Game 3 is still uncertain, and his absence could expose an already shaky Stars offense.
NHL: Stars' Roope Hintz injured on slash by Oilers' Darnell Nurse … https://t.co/yQX6GtsvGS @espn
— Kingshark Sports (@KingsharkSports)
Even when Hintz is in the lineup, Dallas has struggled at even strength. Robertson, Johnston, and Duchene have all gone through quiet stretches, but that has to change — and quickly.
Can Stuart Skinner Stay Hot?
Skinner has been up and down this postseason. But when he’s locked in, he’s been lights out. All three of his playoff wins have come via shutout.
The numbers are clear: the Oilers are 14-4 when Skinner doesn’t give up a goal in the first period. At Rogers Place, he’s put up a .915 save percentage, and his confidence seems to grow with each strong outing.
A win for Edmonton means they go into Game 4 with momentum and a chance to take control of the series. A loss flips the pressure back on them and gives Dallas a mental edge.
For the Oilers, the chance is right there. Grab the lead. Feed off the crowd. Force Dallas to play catch-up. For the Stars, it’s about bouncing back, staying sharp, and showing they can handle a tough road crowd.
Game 3 is where strategy meets urgency. It’s not just about playing better. It’s about playing smarter when it matters most.
