Edmonton Oilers Eliminate Dallas Stars, Return to Stanley Cup Final for Rematch Against Florida Panthers
DALLAS – The Edmonton Oilers are heading back to the Stanley Cup Final after defeating the Dallas Stars 6-3 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday night. Edmonton clinched the series 4-1, marking their second consecutive trip to the championship round and setting up a highly anticipated rematch with the Florida Panthers, who bested them in a dramatic seven-game series last year.
The Oilers stormed out to a commanding lead, scoring three goals in the first 8:07 of the opening period. Corey Perry opened the scoring on a power play at 2:31, followed by Mattias Janmark’s breakaway tally at 7:09. Jeff Skinner extended the lead to 3-0 just a minute later, forcing Dallas to pull starting goaltender Jake Oettinger after he allowed two goals on the first two shots he faced.
Dallas fought back, with Jason Robertson scoring twice and Roope Hintz adding a power-play goal to narrow the deficit. However, Edmonton’s captain Connor McDavid delivered a pivotal breakaway goal late in the second period, restoring a two-goal cushion and quelling the Stars’ momentum. McDavid finished the night with a goal and an assist, while Leon Draisaitl and Jake Walman each contributed two assists. Stuart Skinner made 14 saves in net for the Oilers.
Evander Kane and Kasperi Kapanen added insurance goals for Edmonton, with Kapanen sealing the victory with an empty-netter in the final minute. The Stars, who have now lost in the Western Conference Final for the third straight year, saw their season end despite a late surge and strong performances from Robertson and Hintz.
The Oilers will now face the Florida Panthers in a rare Stanley Cup Final rematch, beginning Wednesday in Edmonton. Last year, the Panthers captured their first-ever Stanley Cup after surviving a dramatic comeback attempt by the Oilers. Edmonton, seeking its first championship since 1990, enters the series with a sense of unfinished business and the hopes of ending Canada’s long Stanley Cup drought.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is scheduled for June 4 at Rogers Place in Edmonton.