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Oilers Coach Kris Knoblauch Sparks Tensions with Warning to Stars Before Game 3 Showdown

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Charlie McAfee | Last updated May 24, 2025 8:58 PM ET

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch had some strong words for his opponents ahead of Game 3, warning that things might get a bit rough.

With Game 3 set to take place on Saturday night between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers, both teams are knotted at one game apiece, with both looking to set the tone early and often.

For sure Dallas has some revenge on their mind after Darnell Nurse injured defensive wizard and star forward Roope Hintz, and for the Oilers they seem to have a big target on their backs.

For head coach Kris Knoblauch though, he's absolutely fine with that.

Speaking to the media ahead of Game 3, the Oilers bench boss had a message for the Stars if they were to try anything:

I think we got a lot of players who are physical and don't shy away from that, but also we need guys who can skate and get there in time to make those hits.

It's a bit of a double edged sword for the Oilers, as they certainly have the size and physicality necessary to make an impact in that regard, but also don't necessarily drop jaws with their speed.

While yes, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Connor Brown and Quinn Hutson can certainly accelerate, the team tends to end up needing to cover more ground; a sign that the speed isn't up to snuff, and it takes them longer to go back and forth 200 feet.

What they lack in that speed in the ability to throw punishing hits. The team has totalled 509 hits so far through which averages to just over 39 per game this postseason.

Zach Hyman leads the way with a staggering 99 hits, followed by Vasily Podkolzin (58), Evander Kane (53), and trade deadline pickup Trent Frederic (48).

So Knoblauch wasn't wrong in his assessment of things. If Dallas is going to target the Oilers for what they did to Hintz, they can expect just as much physicality served right back.

It's just a matter of whether or not they can catch up to the Stars or not.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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