Player grades: Terrible penalties, weak kill thwarts Edmonton Oilers, 3, vs Dallas Stars, 6, in Game 1
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 7. Got the job done. He set up Hyman with a low-high pass, which Hyman drilled off the post. No mistake on the PP, drilling home his wide open slotter low glove side. Total-Eclipse-of-the-Sun goalie screen on Nurse's second period post shot. GAS: ES +4/-1; ST +1/-0.
Zach Hyman, 8. Another strong game. He led the team with 12 hits. Battled hard in front of the net on Edmonton's first goal, then drilled one of the post. He blasted Marchment and Duchene with brutal hits early on. GAS: ES +6/-1; ST +0/-0
Leon Draisaitl, 7. Lots of good, some bad. One goal, two assists. Some iffy moments on defence. Took a pass and moved in fast and hard, draining a nasty wrister for the first goal of the series. A shot worthy of a Rocket Richard winner. But his turnover at the offensive blueline led to Seguin's goal rush to tie the game. Launched another Grade A off the rush early in the second. Excellent puck control and pass on Edmonton's third goal. Deked his way past Lyubushkin for a 5-alarmer a moment later. GAS: ES +6/-5; ST +2/-0.
Vasily Podkolzin, 6. Solid game. Worked hard to set up Edmonton's third goal. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +0/-0.
Kasperi Kapanen, 6. Some good work in this one. Kept puck in early to set up Drai for game's first dangerous shot. Got the puck deep to set up the Virtuous Cycle on Edmonton's third goal. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +0/-0.
Evander Kane, 2. If Kane had been quicker on defence, he wouldn't have need to reach and slash at Duchene, the stick riding up and hitting the Dallas attacker in the face. Kane took a penalty. Dallas scored to make it 4-3. Provided excellent defensive coverage on a failed Bouchard foray in the second. He went hard at huge rookie Lian Bichsel late in the second.
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