It was supposed to be a game where the Dallas Stars would extend their lead over the Oilers in the Western Conference Finals. “There’s just a lot of belief in our room,” Mason Marchment had noted before Game 2 that Pete DeBoer’s boys were looking solid going into the American Airline Arena on Friday. Instead, the Stars’ home venue turned out to be the stage where Edmonton tied the series with a thumping 3-0 victory. But that’s hardly what concerns DeBoer.

However, while wins and losses are part of the game, the Dallas Stars’ boss was livid over a different issue. Early into the third period of tonight’s game, the Stars’ Roope Hintz was slashed on his right leg by the Oilers’ Darnell Nurse at 3.46. Nurse got off with a two-minute minor, and the Dallas coach could hardly contain his fuming emotions after the match.

In the post-game presser, when asked about an update on Roope’s condition and his thoughts on the slash, the Dallas Stars coach had a very brief answer. “I’ll answer your question with a question. Does anyone in this room think if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that, it’s not a 5-minute major?” DeBoer said, “that’s my answer to your question.”

His frustration is understandable. After all, Connor McDavid is easily one of the most recognizable and celebrated stars in the League, and you can bet that an offence against the Oilers star would come with some serious punishment. Naturally, the Dallas Stars’ coach only hinted that his team, being less popular than Edmonton and their star forward, doesn’t warrant such measures when they’re on the receiving end of such attacks.

Before leaving, the Dallas Stars alternate captain had three shots on goal and won 7 of 14 face-offs in 12:08 of ice time. Following getting slashed, Hintz was helped off the ice and headed to the locker room with the trainers by his side. As of now, Roope’s possibility of playing in Game 3 remains uncertain, and it’s understandable why DeBoer isn’t exactly pleased.

However, while Pete remains displeased over how the NHL chose to remain silent on the slashing, one thing’s for sure: The Oilers also were more than determined to hold their ground. Thanks to Stuart Skinner‘s third shutout in his last four playoff starts, Edmonton walked away from tonight’s game with another clean slate. The netminder made 25 saves and ensured his squad git back on level terms with 5 games remaining of the Western Conference Finals.

But still, the Dallas Stars’ coach’s digs at his opponents aren’t unfounded.

The Dallas Stars’ boss has his reasons to be fuming

The Oilers stormed into the second round of the postseason by defeating the Los Angeles Kings for the fourth straight time in the playoffs. A stunning feat, undoubtedly. And yet, as they awaited to take on the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2, Connor McDavid couldn’t help but remember how an old score had to be settled with their Pacific Division comrades.

“We owe Vegas a good series. We don’t forget what happened two years ago,” said the Oilers’ captain, referring to how he and his teammates were ousted from the Cup contention by the Knights in 2023. Moreover, it was also the chance to get revenge for Leon Draisaitl. The German star was slashed by the Knights’ Alex Pietrangelo in Game 4 two years ago, and McDavid reminded us why the Oilers were eager to get one back this time around.

Naturally, we can understand where DeBoer is coming from. But it isn’t only the Stars’ coach who wasn’t on board with Nurse’s actions. “We didn’t like it. If that was McDavid walking down the tunnel, I would like to see the result of that,” said the Dallas winger after tonight’s defeat, who himself was in the risk of being suspended after his sucker punch to the Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele in the second round of the Central Division match-up.

So, how do you see the matter? Share your thoughts in a comment!