Oilers    4

Vegas    5 (OT)

What a bitter disappointment for Edmonton in this one as I am not sure they can play any better and yet still lost! The visitors came into this match-up determined to steal home ice and got the dream start to do exactly that. After potting the first 2 goals of the game on the PP and controlling the play it appeared that it was going to be a long night for the homeside but despite only having 6 first period shots Las Vegas got 2 goals to tie the game before the frame ended. The second period wasn't a whole helluva lot better for Vegas as they only managed 7 shots on goal yet once again scored....only this time they took the lead! The third was as dreadful as the first 2 periods for Vegas posting another 7 shots but once again Vegas was able to score for a grand total of 4 goals on 20 shots....there are Zamboni drivers that play goal better then that! To the Oilers credit they perservered through all that to net 2 in the third to force overtime where they again asserted themselves and took control putting the first 6 shots on the Vegas net. P. Rinne stood tall until Vegas gathered themselves and when Vegas finally got a shot in overtime it was the only shot they needed as D.Larkin stole this game for the Golden Knights. Edmonton heads home to warm up the Zamboni driver for game 3 down 2-0

Wild     1

Stars    3

For the second straight game the Wild played a good road game and for the second straight game it didn't matter. GM Junya and his Stars got an early lead, sat on it, limited the offense against, and had the solid goalie to preserve it.....yada yada yada! Yes Dubnyk made his first start of the series and played well, yes the Wild kept Dallas to under 3 goals against (empty netter), yes the Wild pumped 18 third period shots on the Dallas goal, and yes we have seen this film playing over and over again. This is the Junya blueprint and the only way to beat Junya is to play with a lead which forces his team out of "their comfort zone" ....the lead part is the toughest part however with B. Bishop manning the twine. GM AL and his wild will hope for some home cooking and a raucus crowd to help them find that elusive lead as they head home down 2-0