The Edmonton Oilers have secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Final, overcoming the Dallas Stars with a 6-3 victory in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final. They will now face the Florida Panthers in a highly anticipated rematch of last year`s championship series.
The Oilers demonstrated remarkable urgency from the outset in the series-clinching game against the Stars, even though Dallas was the team facing elimination. Corey Perry quickly put Edmonton on the board with a power-play goal just over two minutes into the first period. Mattias Janmark then extended the lead with a breakaway goal, taking advantage of a defensive miscue by the Stars.
Janmark`s goal, the second for Edmonton on only their second shot, was enough for Dallas coach Pete DeBoer to make a goaltending change, replacing Jake Oettinger.
Casey Smith took over in net for Dallas, but Edmonton continued its offensive pressure. Jeff Skinner scored the first playoff goal of his 15-year career, giving the Oilers a dominant 3-0 lead in the opening frame.
Dallas managed to battle back, reducing the deficit to 3-2. However, Connor McDavid delivered a spectacular individual effort. After a blocked shot exited the Oilers` zone, McDavid raced to the loose puck at center ice and deked out DeSmith for a crucial breakaway goal.
McDavid finished the night with a goal and an assist, showcasing his elite talent in the decisive game. His linemate, Leon Draisaitl, also made significant contributions with two assists.
Furthermore, Corey Perry`s early tally was his seventh goal of the playoffs, setting a new record for the most goals scored in a single postseason by a player aged 39 or older. Perry`s veteran presence and scoring ability have added valuable depth to the Oilers` lineup.
Now focused on the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers will encounter a familiar adversary in the Florida Panthers. The Panthers advanced by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes and are aiming to defend their championship title. Edmonton faced Florida in the 2024 Final and managed to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 in the series. This year, they will look to complete the comeback and lift the Cup.
Stanley Cup Final Schedule
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
- Game 1: Wednesday, June 4 | at EDM | 8 p.m.
- Game 2: Friday, June 6 | at EDM | 8 p.m.
- Game 3: Monday, June 9 | at FLA | 8 p.m.
- Game 4: Thursday, June 12 | at FLA | 8 p.m.
- *Game 5: Saturday, June 14 | at EDM | 8 p.m.
- *Game 6: Tuesday, June 17 | at FLA | 8 p.m.
- *Game 7: Friday, June 20 | at EDM | 8 p.m.
Western Conference Final Results
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3
- Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0
- Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1
- Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1
- Game 5: Oilers 6, Stars 3
Eastern Conference Final Results
(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- Game 1: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2
- Game 2: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 0
- Game 3: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2
- Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 0
- Game 5: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 3
Round 2 Results
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
- Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
- Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
- Game 4: Panthers 2, Maple Leafs 0
- Game 5: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1
- Game 6: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
- Game 7: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
- Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
- Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1
- Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0
- Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2
- Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars
- Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
- Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0
- Game 3: Stars 5, Jets 2
- Game 4: Stars 3, Jets 1
- Game 5: Jets 4, Stars 0
- Game 6: Stars 2, Jets 1 (OT)
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
- Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
- Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
- Game 4: Oilers 3, Golden Knights 0
- Game 5: Oilers 1, Golden Knights 0 (OT)
Round 1 Results
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
- Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
- Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
- Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
- Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
- Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
- Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
- Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
- Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
- Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens
- Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
- Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
- Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
- Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
- Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1
(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
- Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
- Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
- Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
- Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
- Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
- Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
- Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
- Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
- Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
- Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3
- Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
- Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche
- Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
- Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
- Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
- Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
- Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
- Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
- Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
- Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
- Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
- Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
- Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
- Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2
(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
- Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
- Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
- Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
- Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4
