Stars edge Oilers in Game 2, even Western Conference Final

DALLAS -- Mason Marchment scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the Dallas Stars evened the Western Conference Final with a 3-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 at American Airlines Center on Saturday.

Marchment gave Dallas a 2-1 lead at 3:41 of the third when he redirected Ryan Suter’s shot from the left point under the right arm of Stuart Skinner.

“There’s not many better feelings than scoring in a playoff game," Marchment said. "We’ll take that one and forget about it and move on to the next one. We’ve got a big game coming up."

Esa Lindell scored into an empty net from his own blue line at 17:57 for the 3-1 final.

“The margins are small. It’s tight games. The difference is a little tip in front and that’s it,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. “I guess that’s a positive (to split the first two games). Never like to lose. We had a big opportunity here tonight and we didn’t capitalize.”

Jamie Benn had a goal and an assist, Wyatt Johnston had two assists, and Jake Oettinger made 28 saves for Dallas, which is the No. 1 seed from the Central Division.

“It’s not always going to go your way every night. It’s about not letting it be two nights in a row," Oettinger said. "Everyone’s got to respond, not just me. It’s not just me that’s responded. It’s the group in front of me and the guys and the leadership from the top down that kind of starts that.”

Connor Brown scored, and Skinner made 22 saves for Edmonton, which is the No. 2 seed from the Pacific Division.

“Maybe [the Stars] just elevated their game. I thought we had some opportunities, especially late," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. "I know [Mattias Ekholm] rang one off the stick, a couple of blocked shots. We might not have had as many shots as we had in the first period, but for a tight-checking third period where they’re protecting the lead, we did have some opportunities.”

Game 3 of the best-of-7 series will be in Edmonton on Monday.

“We’re back in our barn. It’s going to be exciting. I’m sure the fans are excited,” Ekholm said. “Try to use the energy from the fans, keep building our game. ... We got in here, we got our split. We feel good about that. Now it’s time to raise our level when we get home and dictate the game.”

Benn gave Dallas a 1-0 lead at 3:39 of the first period, scoring blocker side from the top of the right circle on a 2-on-1.

“He’s led the way all year, particularly in the playoffs. I think he’s found another level for us. He’s been great,” Dallas coach Pete DeBoer said. “He’s been a beast out there every series we’ve been in. He’s changed the momentum of each of the series in different ways. Couple of huge hits in the Vegas series. I think in the Colorado series it was a huge goal or a big play, big block. Tonight, just getting that line going and getting some offensive zone time since we had spent the entire first period, I felt, in our own end.”

Brown scored 44 seconds later to tie it 1-1. Oettinger stopped Cody Ceci's initial redirection on a rush, but Brown followed up his own pass and buried the rebound five-hole from in front.

“I don’t think we were getting dominated at any point. They’re a good team, they’re going to come with pushes this series,” Brown said. “... I thought that game could’ve gone either way.”

Edmonton outshot Dallas 16-4 in the first period.

“We don't win that game, obviously, without [Oettinger] tonight,” Benn said. “They came out strong. Jake was unbelievable. Started playing a little better in the second and third, kind of got to our game. Once we did that, we were better.”

NOTES: Benn has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past three games. ... Edmonton was 1-for-1 on the penalty kill and is 20-for-20 in its past six games.