After Game 1 Collapse, Oilers’ Corey Perry Draws Heat for Controversial Gesture Toward Stars Rookie Lian Bichsel

The mood around Edmonton is tense after the Oilers’ disheartening collapse in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. What began as a promising night for the visiting Oilers quickly unraveled into a nightmare, as they surrendered five unanswered goals and let momentum slip away entirely in a 5-2 loss. But while the scoreboard told one story, the headlines the morning after have been dominated by a different controversy—veteran forward Corey Perry and a questionable gesture aimed at Stars rookie defenseman Lian Bichsel.

Social media erupted late Thursday night and into the early hours of Friday morning as video replays began circulating of Perry, long known for his agitator style of play, appearing to taunt or make a gesture toward Bichsel in the third period after a whistle. The 6-foot-6 Swiss defenseman had just finished a gritty shift and was skating back toward the Dallas bench when Perry allegedly made what some are describing as an inappropriate or mocking motion in Bichsel’s direction. The Oilers were trailing 4-2 at that point, and tensions were visibly high.

The incident was initially missed by the broadcast crew, but fans with keen eyes and the power of freeze-frame technology zeroed in. The clip quickly gained traction, with fans and analysts split on whether Perry’s actions were simply gamesmanship or crossed a line of professional conduct—especially considering Bichsel is a 20-year-old rookie appearing in his first-ever NHL playoff series.

While there’s no official word yet from the NHL Department of Player Safety or the Oilers, the incident has sparked widespread debate. Fans from both sides have weighed in, with some defending Perry’s veteran presence and his reputation as a player who tries to get under opponents’ skin to gain an edge. Others, however, are calling for discipline or at least a public apology, framing the gesture as classless and detrimental to the sport’s integrity.

For the Oilers, the controversy couldn’t come at a worse time. After clawing their way through the first two rounds, Edmonton seemed poised to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup. Led by the superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have one of the most explosive offensive arsenals in the NHL. And early in Game 1, they looked every bit the contender. Edmonton jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period, capitalizing on turnovers and special teams to silence the home crowd at American Airlines Center.

But it didn’t last. The Stars, who have shown remarkable resilience throughout the postseason, responded with a ferocity that overwhelmed Edmonton’s defense. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Miro Heiskanen led the charge as Dallas poured on the pressure, turning the tide and taking complete control by the second intermission. Goaltender Jake Oettinger shut the door in the final frame, finishing with 33 saves and earning the game’s first star.

For Edmonton, the unraveling wasn’t just physical—it was mental. Defensive lapses, frustration penalties, and a noticeable dip in urgency plagued the team over the final 40 minutes. And it was in that environment that the Perry incident took place. Frustration, likely boiling over from both the scoreboard and the hard-hitting style of Dallas, appeared to manifest in the veteran winger’s actions. Whether it was intended as a joke, an insult, or simple trash talk, the optics were poor.

Perry, 39, has long been one of hockey’s most polarizing figures. A Stanley Cup champion and Hart Trophy winner earlier in his career with the Anaheim Ducks, Perry has reinvented himself in recent years as a playoff-savvy role player and agitator. He’s reached the Stanley Cup Final with three different teams over the past five seasons, including the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. His signing with Edmonton this season was met with some skepticism, but also appreciation for his playoff pedigree.

Now, however, that veteran edge is being scrutinized. Critics are questioning whether Perry’s experience is still an asset or if his antics are a liability in high-stakes games. With young defensemen like Philip Broberg and Evan Bouchard looking to players like Perry for leadership, moments like Thursday’s risk undermining the team’s unity and professionalism.

Lian Bichsel, meanwhile, has handled the attention with impressive poise. The rookie did not directly address the incident postgame, instead choosing to focus on his team’s performance and expressing gratitude for the support of his teammates and coaches. “We played hard, we didn’t quit, and that’s what matters,” Bichsel told reporters. “It’s hockey. Things get emotional. I’m just focused on Game 2.”

The Stars, for their part, have kept their comments diplomatic. Head coach Pete DeBoer declined to comment on the specific incident but praised Bichsel for his maturity and effort. “He’s been a warrior for us,” DeBoer said. “He doesn’t let things rattle him. That’s why we believe in him.”

As for the league, it remains to be seen whether Perry will face any supplemental discipline. The NHL has been relatively quiet in its handling of taunts or gestures that don’t involve physical altercations, but in the age of social media, the optics matter more than ever. If enough public pressure mounts—or if the league deems the action egregious—Perry could be fined or warned.

Regardless of disciplinary action, the Oilers now find themselves in a challenging position. Game 2 looms, and they must regroup quickly. McDavid and Draisaitl were both held off the scoresheet after the first period, and Edmonton’s defensive zone coverage was picked apart by Dallas’s forecheck. Coach Kris Knoblauch has tough decisions to make, not just tactically but in managing locker room dynamics amid the brewing controversy.

Perry’s status for Game 2 isn’t in doubt from a health standpoint, but questions are swirling about whether Knoblauch might sit him for optics or messaging purposes. The Oilers need focus and cohesion, not distractions. Whether Perry’s gesture was innocent or malicious, it has become a flashpoint—and one that could disrupt a locker room already facing adversity.

Fans in Edmonton are voicing their frustration, not just at the loss but at what many see as an avoidable sideshow. “We need leaders, not instigators,” one Oilers supporter posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Perry is supposed to be setting the tone, not drawing the wrong kind of attention.” Others defended him, noting that playoff intensity always brings moments of controversy, and pointing out that Perry has often backed up his antics with timely goals or drawn penalties.

Still, the situation raises larger questions about veteran leadership and how experience is wielded in pressure-packed moments. Perry is not new to playoff wars. He understands the margins are razor-thin. But he also knows that reputation follows players—especially when they toe the line.

The Oilers’ locker room closed ranks following the loss, with most players declining to speak at length about the incident. McDavid, always measured in his postgame comments, simply stated: “We’ve got to be better. All of us. That’s the message.”

And he’s right. With Game 2 approaching, Edmonton must find a way to recapture the energy and discipline that got them to this stage. That means more than just tactical adjustments—it means mental clarity, emotional control, and the ability to shut out distractions. Whether Perry plays a role in that resurgence or becomes a cautionary tale may hinge on how the next game unfolds.

For now, the spotlight is bright and unrelenting. Game 1 may have been just one loss in a seven-game series, but the aftershocks are being felt well beyond the scoreboard. The Oilers are on the defensive—literally and figuratively—and Corey Perry is at the center of it all.

Game 2 can’t come soon enough.