The Edmonton Oilers' Kasperi Kapanen, left, and Leon Draisaitl, right, celebrate Evander Kane's third-period goal against the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference final.
The Edmonton Oilers are headed back to the Stanley Cup Final. They secured their spot with a 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday night.
Connor McDavid played a key role, delivering a breakaway goal and an assist. Veteran forward Corey Perry also scored, making history along the way.
Oilers Start Strong, Finish Stronger
Edmonton wasted no time asserting dominance. They scored on their first two shots and surged to a 3-0 lead within 8 minutes.
The Stars couldn’t recover, and for the second straight year, the Oilers ended Dallas’ playoff run in the West Final.
Rematch Set: Oilers vs Panthers
This win sets up a thrilling Stanley Cup Final rematch. Edmonton will now face defending champions, the Florida Panthers, who defeated the Oilers in a seven-game series last June.
Game 1 is set for Wednesday night in Edmonton. Expectations are high as both teams prepare for a fierce battle.
McDavid and Perry Shine
Captain Connor McDavid’s assist on Perry’s early power-play goal marked his 100th career playoff assist in just 90 games. Only Wayne Gretzky reached the milestone faster.
Perry, now 40, continues to impress. His goal was his seventh this postseason, making him the top scorer aged 39 or older in a single playoff run. He’s now headed to his fifth Stanley Cup Final in six years.
Oilers’ Depth Delivers
It wasn’t just McDavid and Perry carrying the weight. Mattias Janmark, Jeff Skinner, Evander Kane, and Kasperi Kapanen also found the net. Leon Draisaitl and Jake Walman each contributed two assists.
Skinner's goal was a career-first in the playoffs. The 33-year-old veteran had waited 15 years and 1,078 regular-season games to finally score in the postseason.
Stars' Rally Falls Short
Dallas made a push in the third period. Jason Robertson scored twice and Roope Hintz added one. But their efforts weren’t enough to stop the Oilers’ momentum.
Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley added two assists each. A crucial blocked shot by Edmonton’s Mattias Ekholm, playing his first playoff game this year, helped turn the tide.
McDavid capitalized on that play, picking up the loose puck near center ice and scoring with 5:32 left in the second period.
Goalie Switch Made Early
The Stars pulled starting goalie Jake Oettinger after just over seven minutes. He was replaced by Casey DeSmith after Edmonton’s second goal.
DeSmith hadn’t played since April 26 but stopped 17 of 20 shots. Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner needed only 14 saves to backstop the win.
Weather Sends Fans Indoors
As the second period ended, fans gathered in Edmonton’s Moss Pit had to be moved indoors to Rogers Place. Environment Canada issued a warning for a “very dangerous” thunderstorm with high winds.
Despite the storm outside, Oilers fans had plenty to cheer about indoors.
Oilers Eyeing the Cup
With this victory, Edmonton returns to the Stanley Cup Final, hungry for redemption. Their top stars are in peak form, and their depth players are stepping up.
The stage is set for another dramatic series. And this time, the Oilers hope to lift the Cup.
