West final in NHL playoffs even going into Game 3 after contrasting results for Oilers and Stars

Edmonton forward Zach Hyman feels like the Oilers probably played better in the opener of the Western Conference final than in the second game that they won.

Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer had a similar feeling about that game his team lost.

After those contrasting outcomes, the West final rematch is even going into Game 3 in Edmonton on Sunday afternoon.

“I don't think I've ever played a playoff matinee game. Everybody’s in the same boat,” Hyman said. “We’ve got to come out strong. We’re at home. I’m sure the crowd will be excited. We’ll be ready. There’s no excuses. Doesn’t matter if you play in five overtimes and you’ve got to play in two days.”

No overtimes were needed in the first two games in Dallas, where the high-scoring Oilers felt good about five of their six periods and showed again that they can indeed play defense.

Edmonton has shutout wins in three of its last four games, including Stuart Skinner's 25 saves in the 3-0 win over Dallas on Friday night after he blanked Vegas in the final two games to wrap up the second round. The only real blemish in that span was the Stars' five-goal third period for a 6-3 win in the series opener when they went ahead with three power-play goals in a span of 5 1/2 minutes.

“Stu was phenomenal. The chances they did get, he shut the door, obviously,” Hyman said. “And, yeah, special teams is really important in the playoffs. We’ve been probably one of the best 5-on-5 teams in the playoffs so far. If we can shore up the special teams, which we’re usually pretty good at, we’re in a good spot.”

Even though it was the fourth time this postseason the Stars got shut out, they gave up a power-play goal less than 6 minutes into the game and the two Edmonton goals just over a minute apart in the second period came off a blocked shot and then a tip at the front of the net.

“We had some looks, too, where (Skinner) made some saves. Sure, when you get shutout, you can do a better job in front of their goalie,” DeBoer said. "But I don’t think the score was as dramatically reflective of the game as you maybe (perceived), but that’s just my opinion.”

After the Stars got Miro Heiskanan and Jason Robertson back from injuries in the second round, there now are concerns about top-line center Roope Hintz. He left the ice in the third period of Game 2 without putting any weight on his left leg after Edmonton defender Darnell Nurse slashed him on top of his skate.

As the team was preparing to board its flight to Canada on Saturday, DeBoer said Hintz was getting tests. It was unclear if Hintz was flying or had any chance of playing with such a short turnaround between games.

“Honestly, I don’t know until we get these test results," DeBoer said.

A day after saying postgame that the slashing penalty should have been a 5-minute major instead of the 2-minute minor that was enforced, DeBoer said he hasn't changed his mind.

“I see it exactly what I saw last night," he said. "And I stand by exactly what I said last night.”

The Stars started Game 2 with all five of their Finnish players on the ice together. That was their top line of Hintz, Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund, along with defensemen Heiskanen and Esa Lindell.

It was the first time since the NHL began tracking starters in 1997-98, in either a regular-season or playoff game, that all five starting skaters were from Finland.

Lindell on his 31st birthday played in his 100th career playoff game, becoming the ninth player in Stars franchise history and the ninth Finnish player in NHL history to reach that mark. He was denied a goal when Skinner made a tremendous stick save after lunging across the crease to close off what had been an open net with 9 1/2 minutes left.

“I did know that I stopped it," Skinner said. “I didn’t know how close it exactly was.”

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the 100-point teammates in the regular season, both had an assist in Game 2 to reach 20 points in these playoffs. That matched the most in the NHL with Rantanen, who has now gone five games without a goal and only two assists.

McDavid's four consecutive 20-point postseasons match the longest stretch in NHL history with Sergei Fedorov (1995-98), Bryan Trottier (1980-83) and Mike Bossy (1980-83). Draisaitl hit the 20-point mark for the second year in a row, and third time in his career.

Draisaitl is the Oilers' top scorer with six, while McDavid has three goals and 17 assists. When defenseman Brett Kulak scored in Game 3, he was the 17th different Edmonton player with a goal this postseason.

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) celebrates his goal with teammate center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) against the Dallas Stars during the second period in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner eyes the puck during an attack by Dallas Stars in the third period of Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) gathers with teammates, from left defenseman Evan Bouchard, defenseman John Klingberg (36) and left wing Evander Kane (91) following a 3-0 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars center Colin Blackwell (15) tussles with Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) and center Trent Frederic (21) during the first period in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Friday, May 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.

Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.

There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.

“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”

The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.

No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.

“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”

Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.

Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.

Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.

Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.

“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.

Brown is likely staying put.

While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.

Just not this season.

Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”

Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.

“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.

Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)