'Regroup, refocus, re-energize': Dallas Stars endure hardship following Game 2 shutout loss to Edmonton Oilers and injury to Roope Hintz
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To add insult, Roope Hintz left the game with a leg injury after being slashed by Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse, giving them concerns heading into a crucial two-game road stint in Edmonton.
Roope Hintz injury and scoring woes beset Dallas Stars before Game 3 against Edmonton Oilers
Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers Post Game Press Conference
Even after a solid performance in Game 2 and being comfortably ahead statistically in terms of shot attempts and faceoffs, the Dallas Stars were blanked for the third time this playoff season. Worse than the score, though, was the possible loss of center Roope Hintz, who was assisted off the ice in obvious distress after being slashed on the leg by Darnell Nurse.
Originally called a major penalty, the offense was changed to a minor upon review, leaving many in the Stars organization—including head coach Pete DeBoer—wondering about the level of officiating.
'Does anyone in this room think that if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that, it's not a five-minute major? If that's 97 carried off the ice in the same situation, I think we all know the answer to what that looks like for us.'
DeBoer told the postgame press conference, indicating his displeasure with the call.
Hintz, with 11 points in 15 playoff games, is the backbone of one of Dallas' most potent lines and has breakaway speed. He would be a severe test for a team that is also struggling to create a five-on-five offense.
Line changes spark effort but not results
To get his offense going, Pete DeBoer shuffled his forward units going into Game 2. The new trios showed better puck movement and pressure, with Matt Duchene, Tyler Seguin, and Mason Marchment combining for 12 shot attempts.
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Wyatt Johnston, back with Jamie Benn and Evgenii Dadonov, also posed a threat.
Dallas held a 65-50 advantage in overall attempts and controlled 60% of the faceoffs but was not able to cash in on their chances.
'We are a veteran group, and we have been here before,' Stars captain Jamie Benn noted. 'We have been 1-1 in our first two series, so there is no panic. We are going to regroup, refocus, re-energize, and get ready for the next one.'
Dallas Stars confident despite setbacks as series shifts to Edmonton
The Stars now travel to Rogers Place, where the Edmonton Oilers are 4-1 this postseason. But DeBoer remains confident in his squad, citing their previous road successes in Colorado and Winnipeg.
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Game 3 is on Sunday afternoon, with Game 4 on Tuesday evening. With the series deadlocked at 1-1, the Stars realize that the next two games will set up their playoff quest—and if they can pursue it without one of their best forwards.
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