Oilers vs. Stars, Game 5 of Western Conference Final: Instant reaction

The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 3-1 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Friday. The Oilers lead the best-of-7 series 3-2.

Here are some immediate takeaways from the game by NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers:

Star of the game

Entering Game 5, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hadn’t scored a goal in the series. On Friday, the Oilers forward had two of them, both on the power play, which also hadn’t scored in the series until this game. Nugent-Hopkins was stellar in giving Edmonton the special teams boost it needed.

Goal of the game

Philip Broberg’s goal from the blue line at 5:09 of the second period didn’t decide the game. But in a series where 2-0 leads haven’t been safe, Broberg’s goal, on a shot that beat Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger high on his glove side, gave the Oilers a 3-0 advantage, and they wouldn’t lose it.

Save of the game

Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner faced more high-danger shots from Dallas in the third period, but his biggest save was arguably late in the second. With the Stars down 3-0 and on the power play, Skinner made a big save on Dallas forward Wyatt Johnston’s snap shot from the slot at 18:42.

What’s next

The series goes back to Rogers Place in Edmonton for Game 6 on Sunday (8 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, MAX).