McDavid scores in double overtime as Oilers grab 1-0 lead in Western Conference final

Connor McDavid scored 32 seconds into double overtime as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 3-2 on Thursday in Game 1 of the NHL's Western Conference final.

The superstar captain took a pass from Evan Bouchard and redirected his third goal of the playoffs from the slot on Stars netminder Jake Oettinger.

Zach Hyman, with a goal and an assist, and Leon Draisaitl also scored for Edmonton. Stuart Skinner made 31 saves. McDavid also had an assist for a two-point night.

Tyler Seguin, with two goals, replied for Dallas, which got 35 stops from Oettinger.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series goes back on Saturday at American Airlines Center. The matchup shifts to Rogers Place in Edmonton Monday and Wednesday.

McDavid joined Wayne Gretzky as the only two players in NHL history to record 20 assists through 13 or fewer games in a post-season multiple times after setting up Hyman's second-period goal.

Draisaitl, meanwhile, became the fifth different player all-time to open a post-season with a 13-game point streak.

Edmonton killed off a four-minute McDavid penalty for high-sticking off the opening faceoff of OT — Jason Robertson hit both of Skinner's posts in quick succession on the ensuing power play — when the centre clipped Matt Duchene in the mouth.

McDavid then nearly won it later in the first extra period when he tried to outwait Oettinger alone in front, only to watch the goaltender and defenceman Chris Tanev combine to get their sticks in the way and deny the golden opportunity.

The Stars dispatched the Colorado Avalanche with a double OT victory in Game 6 to advance to the third round, while the Oilers went the distance to get past the Vancouver Canucks.

Dallas lost out to the Vegas Golden Knights in last spring's