2024 NHL Playoffs: Winners and losers from Friday’s game action, including Stuart Skinner

Stuart Skinner has faced his fair share of criticism this postseason, some warranted, and some exaggerated. But there’s no denying Skinner’s place in the line of heroes who have stepped up in crucial moments. The goalie came through Friday with 19 saves, nine in the third period, to backstop a huge road win. Although the Stars spoiled his shutout bid in Game 5 in the final minutes, his .950 save percentage Friday was the third-best total he’s produced in 15 playoff games this season.

One of the advantages the Stars are perceived to have in this series is with Jake Oettinger in goal. But he’s underwhelmed. And provided an opportunity to get within a game of the Stanley Cup Final, he allowed three goals in the first 25 minutes, forcing the Stars to chase the remainder of the night. Given the stakes, Dallas needed a bigger night from Oettinger, who finished with 23 saves and settled in after falling into a 3-0 hole.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the longest-tenured skater in the Oilers lineup and has endured all their ups and downs. Despite playing in the shadows of franchise legends, Nugent Hopkins put the team on his back and led the offense with two power-play goals Friday, scoring the crucial first two goals in the game. It was the third two-goal game of his postseason career. Plus he led all skaters with three takeaways, playing a strong two-way game.

Jason Robertson’s hat trick in Game 3 gave the Stars their first series lead. However, outside that magical night, his only other playoff goals came in the opening round against the Vegas Golden Knights. As arguably the face of the franchise, more is expected of the forward, but he was quiet in Game 5 with just one shot on goal, despite leading all Dallas forwards in ice time with 22:09. He had nine shot attempts but had seven of those blocked.

The Oilers continue to live and die with their power play. When it’s rolling, there’s no stopping the likes of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid from making their opponents pay for taking penalties. Although both picked up assists in Game 5, another hero emerged as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored twice to help Edmonton finish the evening 2-for-3 on the man advantage, putting the Stars in a deep hole early in the second period. Edmonton’s 34.7 percent success rate on the power play is second among all teams in the postseason and best among those still remaining in the hunt.

Out of the four remaining teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Stars have the worst power play at 21.4 percent. Those numbers dipped after a 0-for-2 showing in Game 5. Down 1-0, Dallas had a chance to get back into the game on a too-many-men-on-the-ice infraction but didn’t capitalize. They had two shots on goal before their power play and only added two more throughout the man advantage to finish the period with four shots. Even if you fail on the power play, you want to generate positive momentum. The Stars failed to do that on the power play.

Evan Bouchard continues his playoff run for the ages, picking up two assists in the 3-1 win on Friday. He leads all defensemen with 25 points, and is third among all skaters behind McDavid (29) and Draisaitl (27) in the postseason scoring race. His assists Friday each came on the power play, giving him 10 power-play points in these playoffs.

Last season, Joe Pavelski was the talk of the Stars march to the Western Conference Final. At 38, he was producing at a point-per-game average, finishing with nine goals and 14 points. However, it appears Father Time has caught up to him because outside of taking face offs, fans would hardly notice him out there. Through 18 games, Pavelski has a single goal (in the second round), four points, and did not have a shot on goal in the crucial Game 5. As the oldest player in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he’s not producing in key moments to earn another chance at a ring.

McDavid picked up his 25th assist of the playoffs on Nugent-Hopkins ‘ game-opening goal. After 17 games, he’s within six helpers from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s single-postseason record of 31, set in 1988. Considering McDavid is only 60 minutes away from advancing his season for at least four more games, there’s a good chance he could overtake The Great One’s record sometime this June.

Jamie Benn has been the captain of the Stars since 2013-14. With a chance to get one win closer to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in his career, his five-game point streak ended in Game 5. He registered a single shot on goal in 16:44 of ice time. Moreover, Friday night marked only the third time this postseason that he didn’t collect a single hit, a trademark of his rugged playing style. Considering the Stars need to win the next two games, they can’t have any more “off nights” from their captain.