Edmonton Oilers Eliminate Dallas Stars, Secure Spot in Stanley Cup Final with Dominant Game 6 Win: Live Reactions Included

The Edmonton Oilers are headed back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006. In front of a raucous Rogers Place crowd, the Oilers delivered a commanding performance in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final, defeating the Dallas Stars 4–2 and clinching the series by a 4–2 margin. The result marks a defining moment for a franchise that has weathered years of inconsistency and disappointment since its last Stanley Cup appearance nearly two decades ago.

Connor McDavid, the Oilers’ captain and generational centerpiece, was every bit the leader Edmonton needed in the biggest game of the season. He opened the scoring midway through the first period, dancing through two defenders and roofing a backhand shot past Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger. It was a goal that immediately energized the crowd and set the tone for a game in which the Oilers controlled play and tempo for extended stretches.

From the opening puck drop, Edmonton’s urgency was apparent. The Oilers played with pace, structure, and determination, characteristics that have at times eluded them in recent playoff runs. Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised the team’s maturity postgame, noting that the group has grown significantly since their 2022 and 2023 postseason exits. “This group has learned what it takes,” Knoblauch said. “They’ve bought in, they’re playing for each other, and they’re committed to the bigger picture.”

Leon Draisaitl, who has been one of the NHL’s most productive postseason performers over the last five years, added two assists and was a dominant presence throughout the game. His chemistry with McDavid continues to torment opponents, and Dallas had few answers for the Oilers’ top line, which combined for five points in the clincher.

Edmonton also got crucial contributions from its depth players. Zach Hyman scored his 12th goal of the playoffs, showcasing the kind of net-front presence and persistence that has made him such a valuable addition to the Oilers since arriving from Toronto. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the longest-tenured Oiler, added an empty-net goal to seal the victory, drawing a thunderous ovation from the Edmonton faithful. For Nugent-Hopkins, who endured the franchise’s lean years, the moment was especially emotional.

“It means everything,” he said. “There were years where people counted us out completely, and I wondered if we’d ever get here. But we believed. We stayed together. And now we’ve got a chance to finish the job.”

Dallas, for its part, did not go quietly. The Stars narrowed a 3–0 deficit to 3–2 in the third period with goals from Roope Hintz and Jamie Benn, setting up a tense final 10 minutes. But Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner held firm, turning away several high-danger chances and maintaining his composure under pressure. Skinner finished the night with 29 saves and received chants of “Stu! Stu!” as the final horn sounded.

The game itself was a microcosm of the series: Edmonton’s high-octane offense and special teams excellence proved too much for Dallas to overcome. The Oilers scored multiple power-play goals during the series and killed penalties at an elite rate, neutralizing the Stars’ normally potent man-advantage. In Game 6, Edmonton went 1-for-2 on the power play while killing off both Dallas opportunities.

The atmosphere inside Rogers Place was electric from the outset. Fans arrived early, some camping outside the arena hours before the doors opened. Inside, the noise was deafening every time McDavid touched the puck, and the eruption after the final buzzer could be heard for blocks. For a hockey-mad city that has lived through years of heartbreak, Wednesday night was catharsis.

Ken Holland, the Oilers’ general manager, was visibly emotional during the postgame handshakes. He has taken criticism in recent years for moves that didn’t pan out, but his belief in this core group never wavered. “You go through hard times to get to the good ones,” Holland said. “These players deserve this. The fans deserve this. And we’re not done yet.”

The road to the Stanley Cup Final was not without its challenges. Edmonton dispatched the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round, then outlasted the Vancouver Canucks in a grueling seven-game semifinal. Each series taught them different lessons about resilience, consistency, and execution. But against Dallas, it all seemed to come together.

Now, Edmonton will turn its attention to the Eastern Conference champion, the Florida Panthers, who eliminated the New York Rangers in six games earlier this week. The Panthers present a different kind of challenge — physical, structured, and deep. But the Oilers believe their combination of elite talent and team chemistry makes them ready for the moment.

“We know what’s in front of us,” said McDavid. “Florida is a great team, they’ve earned their spot. But we like our game right now. We like the way we’re playing. And we’re going to give everything we have.”

The Stanley Cup Final will be a showcase for two of the league’s most exciting players in McDavid and Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. It’s a clash of styles — Edmonton’s speed and offensive creativity against Florida’s defensive discipline and physicality. It’s also a battle of two passionate fanbases who have waited a long time for this kind of opportunity.

Oilers fans, in particular, have reason to be hopeful. The last time Edmonton won the Stanley Cup was in 1990. Since then, they’ve endured a revolving door of coaches, draft busts, and playoff collapses. But this team, this group, feels different. There’s a sense of purpose and unity that has carried them through adversity. And now they stand just four wins away from hockey’s ultimate prize.

For players like Darnell Nurse, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm, reaching the Final is both a personal and professional milestone. Bouchard, in particular, has emerged as a star on the back end, leading all defensemen in playoff scoring. His ability to move the puck, run the power play, and contribute defensively has been invaluable.

“We’ve been building toward this,” Bouchard said. “It’s not something that happens overnight. We’ve all taken steps, individually and as a team. And now we’re here.”

The Oilers will have a few days to rest and prepare before the Cup Final begins. The break will be welcome, especially after three hard-fought series. But there is little doubt about the team’s focus.

“This isn’t the end goal,” Knoblauch reminded reporters. “This is a huge step, and we’re proud of it. But we’re chasing something bigger.”

As the team left the ice, fans lingered in the stands, savoring every moment. Children waved flags, adults embraced, and chants of “We want the Cup!” echoed through the building. Outside, in the downtown Ice District, the celebration spilled into the streets. Fireworks lit up the night sky. Car horns blared. Strangers high-fived and hugged. It was a night to remember in Edmonton, a night long in the making.

The Oilers are going back to the Stanley Cup Final. And this time, they believe they can finish the job.