Having won their last six home games in the postseason, Dallas went into this match looking to keep that going. The Oilers on their part had come out on top in their last four road games in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Something had to give in this series opener.
The game's first goal came midway through the opening period. Edmonton had the puck in their attacking zone, playing it around, with one pass after another. Leon Draisaitl then took possession and closed in before firing his shot into the top right corner past Jake Oettinger.
It took the Stars five minutes to level the score. Tyler Seguin created a turnover, allowing him to go on the breakaway. In the end, the third line winger made no mistake in slotting it home past a helpless Stuart Skinner. The home crowd erupted with the quickfire response.
Edmonton recovered after intermission, and by the 7:48 mark of the second period, they had scored twice more. First, Connor McDavid's pass was tipped to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who shot first-time to score. That came on a power play. Less than two minutes later, the lead was doubled for the visitors. Evan Bouchard received the puck in a promising position. Having to wait for a couple of moments, the 25-year-old defenceman took his time before shooting it past Oettinger.
Whatever was said to the Dallas players during the second intermission, it seemed to have worked. Just 32 seconds into the final frame, the Stars had one back. Miro Heiskanen snapped a wrist shot from just inside the blue line that went top shelf. Skinner had no chance in stopping that. Then, moments later, Mikael Granlund tied things up, as he received a pass in open space. Just like that, the home team converted two power plays to level the score.
Two and a half minutes later, the Stars took their first lead of the night. Roope Hintz thought it was him who gave his team the lead as his shot came crashing off the crossbar. Matt Duchene was there for a rebound, and made the most of it. Three power plays made the difference.
The Stars were able to close it out, getting a fifth goal with four minutes left. Making the most of a turnover, Sam Steel played it to Seguin, who went for a backhand shot that beat Skinner. Esa Lindell added a sixth less than a minute later on an empty net.
Game two of the series will go on Friday in Dallas, with the Stars looking to go up 2-0 in the series.