The Edmonton Oilers won a crucial Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, putting the Dallas Stars in jeopardy of elimination.
The Stars attempted just 10 shots in the first two periods of a 3-1 loss, and while some praised the Oilers’ play throughout the game, one reporter noted the Stars looked “lifeless” in the second period.
Stars coach Peter DeBoer disputed that portrayal.
“If you want, you can sit here and ask me questions about our characters, but you know what, I’m not going to do that. You can write whatever you want,” DeVore replied.
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Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer addresses the media following Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers at the American Airlines Center on May 31, 2024 in Dallas. (Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DeBoer credited the Oilers with showing the ability to put together “the perfect away game,” which helped them shut out the Stars.
NHL analyst Paul Bissonette slammed the referees after a Stars goal was called off and suggested people bet on the game.
“When you’re playing away and you’re going to draw, that’s the way you want it to go,” DeBoer said. “They want to get a two-goal lead early on on the power play and then they want to be defensive the whole time, so it’s tough to get through.”
Dallas averaged 3.59 goals per game during the regular season, but their scoring dipped after three losses in the conference finals. The Stars failed to score more than two goals in any of their three series losses.
Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers at the American Airlines Center on May 31, 2024 in Dallas. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Oilers star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said his team made a concerted effort defensively to “not give Dallas anything easy.”
Dallas Stars players play the puck in front of Edmonton Oilers players during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on May 31, 2024 in Dallas. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
“It starts with getting through the neutral zone, not turning the puck over and not letting them get easy opportunities,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “Sometimes you’ve got to survive to get back in. You don’t have to be too aggressive.”
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The series returns to Edmonton, with Game 6 scheduled for Sunday night.
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