Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen found the back of the net late to give the Edmonton Oilers a 2-0 lead over the Anaheim Ducks through the first period in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series.
The Oilers were on top of the Ducks from the get-go, outshooting the visitors 8-3 through the first half of the period, and finishing the frame with a 13-3 advantage.
Anaheim netminder Lukas Dostal kept the Ducks in the game early, shutting the door on multiple Oilers chances.
The Ducks’ only quality chance came midway through the period, when defenceman John Carlson set up Leo Carlsson for a one-timer, before it turned into a Connor McDavid partial breakaway. But once again, Dostal made another save.
The Czech goalie couldn’t quite hold up to finish the period, however, as Dickinson and then Kapanen, a minute later, broke through.
This period also marked the first in 14 games for forward Leon Draisaitl, who made his return from a knee injury.
The German star was activated from the long-term injured list before the game after skating with the team over the past week.
In the period, Draisaitl factored in with one assist in 6:23 time on ice.
