The Edmonton Oilers have reached the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive season, eliminating the Dallas Stars with a 6-3 victory in Game 5. This win follows their defeat of the Stars in six games during last season`s Western Conference finals.
Edmonton`s offense started strong in Game 5. Goals from Corey Perry and Mattias Janmark just over seven minutes into the game came on the only two shots faced by Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, leading to his early exit. The Oilers held a 3-1 lead after the first period. Throughout the game, Edmonton consistently responded to every goal scored by Dallas, preventing the Stars from gaining momentum. The Oilers` defense was particularly effective in the third period, once again shutting down their opponent.
Now, the Oilers are set to face the Florida Panthers again in the Stanley Cup Final. Last season, the Panthers took a three-game lead before the Oilers rallied to push the series to seven games, ultimately falling short of winning the Cup.
This matchup marks the fourth time since the 1967-68 expansion era that the same two teams will meet in the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive seasons. The previous instance occurred in 2008 and 2009 between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, with each team winning one series. The Montreal Canadiens were the last team to beat the same opponent in the Final two years running, defeating the Boston Bruins in 1977 and 1978.
To defeat this improved version of the Oilers, Florida will need to elevate their game. Edmonton has significantly enhanced their defensive play and overall playoff confidence since last season. This analysis reviews what happened in Game 5 and looks ahead to what`s next for the teams involved.
Edmonton Oilers Grade: B+
The Oilers quickly asserted dominance in Game 5. Corey Perry scored on the first shot during a power play less than three minutes in, followed by Mattias Janmark capitalizing on a Stars defensive error. Jeff Skinner scored his first career playoff goal against the newly inserted goalie Casey DeSmith, giving Edmonton a surprising early 3-0 lead.
Even without Zach Hyman in the lineup, the Oilers` depth stepped up immediately. However, the Stars pushed back. A turnover led to a Jason Robertson goal, cutting the lead to 3-1. Edmonton`s penalty kill was tested. While they killed off one penalty, another allowed Roope Hintz to score, bringing Dallas within one goal.
From that point, the Oilers` offense provided an immediate response. Connor McDavid scored on a breakaway just over two minutes after Hintz`s goal. When Robertson scored his second of the game early in the third period to make it 4-3, Evander Kane restored the two-goal cushion shortly after.
Although perhaps not their absolute best game of the series, the Oilers` ability to recover from mistakes demonstrated why they have been formidable since losing Game 1. The Stars` strong power-play performance in that opening game seemed to spark something in Edmonton, and they proved unstoppable afterward.
Dallas Stars Grade: C-
The Stars` start to Game 5 was poor, earning an `F`. They failed to score first in any game of the series, which would have provided a much-needed boost. Instead, rookie Mavrik Bourque took an early penalty, and Corey Perry converted on the power play.
Just five minutes later, Mattias Janmark scored on a partial break while the Stars seemed unfocused. Goaltender Jake Oettinger`s night ended abruptly after allowing two goals on two shots, pulled just over seven minutes into the game. Coach Pete DeBoer`s bold move didn`t stop the Oilers, who continued to pressure backup Casey DeSmith until Jeff Skinner scored, putting Dallas in a 3-0 hole.
Despite subsequent efforts, this poor start was the defining moment for Dallas in Game 5 and a theme throughout the series. The Stars would make positive plays to try and recover but frequently gave momentum right back. Hintz scored to make it 3-2, and McDavid answered two minutes later. Robertson scored his second goal to make it 4-3, only for Kane to restore the two-goal lead less than three minutes later.
The Stars had overcome significant challenges to reach their third consecutive Western Conference Final. They defeated the Avalanche in seven games despite key injuries and eliminated the Presidents` Trophy-winning Jets in six.
One perspective on their elimination is that the Stars played well enough at times but suffered from bad luck against Edmonton`s championship-level defense and goaltending from Stuart Skinner. The Oilers` strength in the third period was notable. Another, more critical perspective, suggests Dallas`s star players were outshone by Edmonton`s, their supporting cast was outperformed, and Oettinger did not match Skinner`s performance before being pulled.
Both interpretations lead to the same outcome: falling short of the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year under Coach DeBoer, despite having arguably their strongest roster during this period. How the franchise responds to this will be a key question.
Three Stars of Game 5
- 1. The `Hope Killer` Oilers: Edmonton`s explosive start and subsequent responses every time Dallas scored effectively dashed any hopes of a Stars comeback, demonstrating their mental toughness.
- 2. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl (Oilers C): Both players recorded two points in the series-clinching victory. McDavid and Draisaitl now each have three postseasons with 25 or more points, tying them for fourth in NHL history behind only Mark Messier (6), Wayne Gretzky (6), and Jari Kurri (5).
- 3. Jeff Skinner (Oilers F): Playing in just his second career playoff game (after 1,078 regular-season games), Skinner drew into the lineup for the injured Zach Hyman. He became the only NHL player to debut in the postseason after 1,000 regular-season games and scored his first career playoff goal in the first period to make it 3-0, a significant moment.
Big Questions
How will Zach Hyman`s absence impact Edmonton in a Cup Final against Florida?
The Florida Panthers are known for their physical style of play. Zach Hyman was a key contributor and the postseason leader in hits. He was also one of Edmonton’s most productive forwards, playing alongside Connor McDavid and contributing to special teams.
While the Oilers managed without him in Game 5 against Dallas, facing the Panthers in the Final presents a different challenge. Hyman scored two goals and four points in last year`s Final and was even more productive in this postseason. Kris Knoblauch inserted Jeff Skinner in Game 5, which worked well, but it remains to be seen if he is the best option against Florida`s distinct style.
The Stanley Cup Final is where Hyman`s particular skills would be especially valuable. His absence forces the Oilers to adjust, and how they do so will be crucial to whether they achieve a different result than 12 months ago.
Is this the end for Pete DeBoer in Dallas?
Pete DeBoer reportedly signed a four-year contract when he became the Stars coach in 2022, succeeding Rick Bowness. In his first three seasons, he has guided the team to three consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances.
A common criticism of DeBoer has been his inability to win the final series. He coached the New Jersey Devils (2012) and San Jose Sharks (2016) to the Stanley Cup Final but did not win either championship. Since the 2018-19 season, DeBoer`s teams have lost in the conference finals six times in eight years.
It`s difficult to fault his regular-season record (.665 points percentage with Dallas is his best with any team) or the achievement of three straight conference finals. However, the team has fallen short of the Final each time. In this series, he couldn`t find a way to push the Stars past the Oilers, and his decision to pull Oettinger early in Game 5 will be debated.
The key question for GM Jim Nill is whether another coach could potentially lead Dallas further, or if the franchise should continue with DeBoer, perhaps alongside some roster changes.
Gareth Tenby