Edmonton Oilers ready for reset after 3rd-period collapse in Game 1

More of the front 40 and less of the back 20 was the Edmonton Oilers' theme Thursday.

The Oilers head into Friday's Game 2 of the NHL's Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars wanting to replicate the first two periods of the opener when they were up 3-1, and bin the last period when the Stars scored five unanswered goals for the 6-3 win.

"Really good for 40 and really bad for 20," was Edmonton captain Connor McDavid's assessment Thursday.

"We've been really good in high-pressure situations, high-pressure games. Game 2 would be one of those where we've got to find a way to get a win here. A lot of positives come out of Game 1. Didn't find a way to get a win. I don't think we need to change a whole lot."

One of the questions ahead of the best-of-seven conference final was whether the Dallas Stars score enough goals in a game against high-production Edmonton.

Oilers lose third period heartbreaker after Dallas crushes momentum

The answer in Game 1 was yes, particularly if Edmonton gives the Stars three consecutive power-play chances in a span of less than seven minutes.

The Oilers are 3-4 in series openers in their second season under head coach Kris Knoblauch.

While time is still on Edmonton's side after dropping Wednesday's opener "you don't want to go down 0-2," said forward Corey Perry.

"Everybody's got that feeling of 'we let one slip away' and you're a little upset this morning," Perry said. "You go out tomorrow and use that to your advantage. You play harder, you do the little things a little harder, and the bigger things are going to happen.

"That second game's important. You start on the road, you're hoping for a split."

While Edmonton's top shutdown defenceman Mattias Ekholm began skating with his