Edmonton Oilers Aim to Eliminate Dallas Stars Once More and Punch Ticket to Stanley Cup Final Rematch Versus Panthers

The Edmonton Oilers find themselves on the brink of doing it again—eliminating the Dallas Stars from the Western Conference Final and earning a shot at redemption in the Stanley Cup Final. The stakes couldn’t be higher. One win separates Edmonton from a long-awaited return to the NHL’s biggest stage and a much-anticipated rematch against the Florida Panthers, who dashed their championship hopes last year. Now, the Oilers have a chance to write a different ending.

For Edmonton, the journey to this point has been anything but smooth. The early part of the 2024–25 NHL season was rocky, plagued by inconsistent performances and questions about whether this team had what it took to return to the Cup Final. But under the leadership of captain Connor McDavid, and backed by the remarkable goaltending of Stuart Skinner, the Oilers found their stride at the right time. They finished the regular season strong and have been formidable in the postseason, dispatching the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche before meeting the Stars in the conference final.

Through five games in this Western Conference Final, the Oilers have proven they learned from past heartbreaks. Game 5 in Dallas was a statement. With a poised and clinical 4-2 win, the Oilers took a 3-2 series lead and regained control of the series. Now, with Game 6 set to unfold on home ice at Rogers Place, the Oilers have the opportunity to close the door on the Stars and avoid a dangerous Game 7 back in Texas.

What makes this Oilers team particularly dangerous is the synergy between their stars and depth players. McDavid, as always, has been a force. His vision, skating, and ability to control the tempo of the game make him a perennial threat. But it’s not just the McDavid show. Leon Draisaitl continues to be a playoff performer, playing a gritty, power-forward style that’s perfectly suited to the grind of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Together, they form arguably the most lethal one-two punch in hockey.

Yet, it’s been the supporting cast that’s elevated the Oilers to contender status this spring. Zach Hyman’s relentless forechecking and net-front presence have translated into timely goals. Evan Bouchard has taken major strides on the blue line, contributing on both ends of the ice. And perhaps most importantly, Skinner has been a rock between the pipes. His composure and consistency have given Edmonton the goaltending stability they’ve long needed in order to be a true Cup contender.

As the Oilers eye their first Stanley Cup title since 1990, the ghosts of seasons past linger in the background. Just a year ago, the Oilers fell to the Florida Panthers in a six-game Final. It was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the high expectations surrounding the team. That loss, however, has become fuel. Players and coaches alike have referred to it as a learning experience—one that instilled a deeper hunger and a collective resolve to not let the moment slip away again.

On the other side of the ice, the Dallas Stars are not going quietly. Led by veterans Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski, and supported by dynamic talents like Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen, Dallas has the tools to claw their way back into this series. Goalie Jake Oettinger, when on his game, is capable of stealing a series. Head coach Pete DeBoer is no stranger to late-round playoff battles and will be looking to push the right buttons to force a Game 7.

But Edmonton knows the dangers of letting a team hang around. That’s why there’s a sense of urgency surrounding Game 6. Closing out a series at home is a golden opportunity—a moment where crowd energy and momentum can be harnessed into 60 minutes of dominant hockey. The Oilers’ coaching staff, led by Kris Knoblauch, has emphasized discipline, staying out of the penalty box, and winning the neutral zone battle as keys to victory.

There’s also a quiet confidence in this Oilers group—one borne not just from recent success, but from years of playoff lessons. The narrative that Edmonton can’t get it done in the postseason is starting to crumble. This is a team that has grown up, hardened by the disappointments of recent years, and emboldened by the belief that their window is not just open—it’s calling them.

Perhaps no player embodies that maturation more than McDavid. For years, critics questioned whether the game’s best player could elevate his team in the playoffs. Those questions seem quaint now. His playoff performances have been transcendent—highlight-reel goals, clutch assists, and a motor that doesn’t quit. But beyond the numbers, it’s his leadership—both on and off the ice—that has galvanized the locker room.

A rematch with the Panthers looms, should Edmonton handle its business. Florida has already advanced out of the Eastern Conference, dispatching the New York Rangers in six games. The Panthers, much like the Oilers, are motivated by past pain. They lost in the 2023 Final to Vegas, only to return stronger in 2024 and now again in 2025. Their physical style, goaltending prowess behind Sergei Bobrovsky, and battle-tested core make them a daunting foe.

But the Oilers are not looking ahead. Not yet. The message from inside the room is clear: finish the job against Dallas. Veteran leaders like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who has seen the franchise through its darkest days, understand how fleeting opportunities like this can be. So do role players like Mattias Ekholm and Derek Ryan, who bring veteran poise and a calming presence to a team that is loaded with high-octane talent.

There’s an emotional element to all of this too. Edmonton, a hockey-mad city, has waited a long time for another championship. The energy in Rogers Place is electric. Every hit, every save, every rush up the ice is met with the roar of a fanbase that has lived through the highs of the dynasty years and the lows of the rebuilding era. There is a sense that this could finally be the year where the promise becomes reality.

As Game 6 approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Oilers can seize their moment. The Stars will come out swinging—they have nothing to lose. But the Oilers hold the cards. They’ve earned home-ice advantage. They have the momentum. They have the best player in the world. And they have the memory of last year’s defeat etched deeply enough to know they don’t want to feel that again.

So it comes down to this: 60 minutes to reach the Stanley Cup Final. One more win to earn the right to take on the Panthers and settle unfinished business. One more step on the long road to greatness. The Oilers have the talent, the drive, and now the experience. The time is now to prove they belong on hockey’s biggest stage once again.