Oilers Lament Lack of Power Plays in Conference Final, Knocking on Playoff Officiating

The Edmonton Oilers, locked in a tight Western Conference final battle with the Dallas Stars, have expressed frustration over the disparity in power-play opportunities, with head coach Kris Knoblauch suggesting that the standard of officiating has changed in the playoffs. Despite being the NHL’s fourth-best power play in the regular season, the Oilers have had limited success in the postseason, with only three power plays in two conference final games. This contrasts with their earlier series against the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings, where they capitalized on numerous man-advantage chances. The Oilers’ struggles to draw penalties have coincided with the Stars’ disciplined play, as Dallas has averaged the fewest short-handed minutes per game in the playoffs. Oilers players like Connor Brown acknowledge the need to improve their puck retention and create more momentum to force the Stars into penalties. Despite the concerns about officiating, Knoblauch remains confident in his team’s ability to generate scoring chances and make adjustments to find success in the series.

Rangers’ Special Teams Shine in Game 2 Victory

The New York Rangers’ special teams played a significant role in their Game 2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, with the team scoring two power-play goals and a shorthanded goal. The Rangers’ power play has been a source of momentum, generating shots and keeping possession in the offensive zone. On the penalty kill, the Rangers have allowed just two goals on six Capitals power plays and have scored a shorthanded goal of their own.

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