Oilers Eliminate Stars To Set Up NHL Finals Rematch With Panthers

Oilers Advance to NHL Finals with Game 5 Victory

The Edmonton Oilers are returning to the Finals for the second consecutive year after defeating the Dallas Stars 6–3 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday night.

Edmonton seized control early, scoring three goals in the first 8:07 of the game. Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was pulled after allowing goals on the first two shots he faced, and backup Casey DeSmith conceded the final three goals. Connor McDavid led the Oilers with a goal and an assist, reaching his 100th career playoff assist in just 90 games, the second-fastest in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky who only took 70 games.  Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark, Jeff Skinner, Evander Kane, and Kasperi Kapanen also contributed goals for Edmonton once again showcasing their depth. Goaltender Stuart Skinner also made 14 saves to secure the win and take home the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as the winners of the Western Conference.

Preview The Rematch: Oilers vs. Panthers

The NHL Finals will feature a rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers. Last year, the Panthers defeated the Oilers in seven games to claim their first Championship. This year the Oilers hold home-ice advantage though, flip flopping last year's set up due to their superior regular-season record.

Connor McDavid leads all players in the postseason with 26 points, including 20 assists, while teammate Leon Draisaitl sits only one point behind in second place at 25 points, including 7 goals.  Goaltender Stuart Skinner holds an 6-4 record with a .904 save percentage and 3 shutouts in the playoffs after he replaced Calvin Pickard in the Vegas series due to injury.

The Panthers, making their third consecutive championship appearance, have their own set of stat leads. Aleksander Barkov sits at 5th in playoff points this year with 17 points including 11 assists, while Sam Bennett leads all goal scorers with 10 producing 17 total points as well. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been a steady presence holding 3rd place in goals against average at 2.11, 4th place in save percentage at .912, and contributing 3 shutouts of his own to boost Florida's strong defensive performance.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4 in Edmonton. 

Pregame Sports Bar Crawl: Las Vegas Edition

Experience the excitement of the game with our Pregame Sports pub crawl in Las Vegas! Join fellow fans for exclusive drink specials at some of the city's best sports bars. It's the ultimate way to gear up for game night—whether you're cheering for your team or just in it for the fun. Stay tuned for upcoming dates and exclusive deals!