Edmonton Oilers Aim to Eliminate Dallas Stars Again and Secure Stanley Cup Rematch With Florida Panthers in West Final

The Edmonton Oilers stand on the brink of doing something they haven’t accomplished in nearly two decades—punching a ticket to the Stanley Cup Final. With a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, the Oilers now have a golden opportunity to close things out and set the stage for a blockbuster rematch against the Florida Panthers.

The stakes are enormous, the history deep, and the desire palpable. It’s been 18 years since Edmonton last reached the Stanley Cup Final. That was in 2006, when they fell in a seven-game heartbreaker to the Carolina Hurricanes. Now, Connor McDavid and company are determined to etch their names into Oilers lore and get another crack at hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup.

This postseason has already served as a testament to Edmonton’s growth and resilience. After years of disappointment and playoff exits that left more questions than answers, the Oilers finally seem to be putting it all together at the right time. Their top-end talent has always been elite, but the supporting cast has risen to the occasion, the goaltending has solidified, and their defense—long considered a soft spot—is holding its ground.

Much of that transformation starts at the top. Connor McDavid, the Oilers’ generational captain, is playing some of the best hockey of his career. While he has always been known for jaw-dropping speed, dazzling stickhandling, and pinpoint vision, this playoff run has revealed another layer of his game—his leadership. McDavid has been relentless on both ends of the ice, leading by example with every backcheck, every blocked shot, and every timely point.

But this Oilers team isn’t just about McDavid. Leon Draisaitl has once again proven why he’s one of the most dangerous playoff performers in the league. Zach Hyman continues to crash the net and score clutch goals. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the longest-tenured Oiler, is providing steady two-way play and timely scoring. And defenseman Evan Bouchard has emerged as a true star on the blue line, quarterbacking the power play with poise and confidence.

Goaltending, a longtime sore spot for Edmonton, has stabilized thanks to the strong play of Stuart Skinner. After an up-and-down regular season and a rocky start to the playoffs, Skinner has rebounded in spectacular fashion. His calm demeanor in the crease and ability to deliver key saves under pressure have been instrumental in Edmonton’s deep run.

The Oilers’ defense corps, often criticized in years past, has also tightened up. Mattias Ekholm has been a game-changer since arriving in a trade last season, bringing both physicality and experience. Darnell Nurse has raised his game, and Brett Kulak and Cody Ceci have provided valuable minutes. Collectively, they’ve succeeded in limiting high-danger chances and transitioning quickly out of their zone—key to Edmonton’s high-octane offensive style.

On the flip side, the Dallas Stars are trying to stave off elimination and avoid the fate they suffered last postseason when the Vegas Golden Knights ousted them in the Western Conference Final. This year’s squad, led by veteran stalwarts like Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn, as well as young stars like Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen, was built with redemption in mind. Yet they now find themselves teetering on the edge.

Jake Oettinger, Dallas’ talented netminder, has had flashes of brilliance but hasn’t consistently shut the door the way he did in earlier rounds. The Oilers’ speed and relentless pressure have exposed cracks in the Stars’ defensive structure, and their power play—one of the most lethal in the NHL—has tormented Dallas with surgical precision.

Coaching has also played a pivotal role. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch, who took over mid-season after the dismissal of Jay Woodcroft, has pushed all the right buttons. His calm demeanor, tactical flexibility, and ability to communicate effectively with his players have steadied the ship. From defensive zone adjustments to line juggling that keeps opponents guessing, Knoblauch’s impact cannot be overstated.

The Oilers’ ability to win on the road has been another key factor in their playoff success. In Game 4, Edmonton walked into a raucous American Airlines Center and came away with a gutsy 5-2 win. The team’s confidence and composure away from home signal a maturity that previous iterations of the roster lacked.

Now, with Game 5 looming in Dallas, the Oilers are focused on closing the door. History has shown that letting teams hang around in the playoffs can be dangerous. Edmonton wants no part of a Game 6 back in Alberta or a do-or-die Game 7. The mission is clear: finish the job and earn the right to play for the Cup.

Waiting for them in the Final are the Florida Panthers—a team the Oilers are all too familiar with. The Panthers eliminated Edmonton in last year’s Stanley Cup Final in a six-game series that left a bitter taste. Florida’s mix of grit, speed, and structure proved too much then, but Edmonton believes this time will be different.

Much has changed in a year. The Oilers’ core has grown stronger. The depth has improved. The pain of last year’s defeat has fueled this year’s push. And if the rematch materializes, it will be must-watch hockey, pitting two fast, talented teams against each other with unfinished business on the line.

There’s a sense of urgency within the Oilers’ locker room—an understanding that these opportunities don’t come around often. In the cap-era NHL, windows open and close quickly. For Edmonton, the window is wide open right now, and they intend to burst through it.

Yet, no one in the Oilers organization is taking the Stars lightly. Dallas is a battle-tested group with the ability to flip the script if given the chance. Pavelski, even at age 39, is a relentless competitor. Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, and Tyler Seguin are all capable of turning games. And coach Peter DeBoer has a long history of guiding teams deep into the playoffs.

But momentum is a powerful thing, and right now, it’s wearing blue and orange.

There’s a hunger in Edmonton that’s hard to ignore. It’s not just about erasing past failures. It’s about delivering on promise and potential. About giving McDavid—the face of the league—a shot at immortality. About bringing a title back to a city that once dominated the hockey world during the dynasty years of the 1980s but has waited too long for another banner.

From the ghosts of Gretzky and Messier to the relentless drive of McDavid and Draisaitl, this moment feels like the culmination of something bigger than a playoff run. It’s the convergence of history, talent, heartbreak, and hope.

And now, it’s time to take the final step.

If the Oilers can finish off the Stars, they’ll get their chance. Four more wins, and they’ll have their names etched into history forever. Four more wins, and the Stanley Cup drought will be over.

But first, they must silence Dallas one more time.

The hockey world will be watching.