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It’s the Edmonton Oilers vs the Dallas Stars in the NHL Western Conference Final. [1]
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Date: 2025-05-17
By defeating the Winnipeg Jets tonight in overtime, the Dallas Stars moved into the Conference Finals for the third straight year. For the second straight year, they’ll be facing the Edmonton Oilers.
Now, I’m not going to lie. I have been an Oiler fan since I was 11 years old, when they were still in the WHA. I was lucky enough to be in the stands as a teenager when they won the Stanley Cup in 1985. I have had the good fortune of watching two of the greatest players in history in Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid. So, I and my son will be cheering for the Oilers, loudly and proudly and with the risk of waking up everyone in the neighbourhood every time the Oilers score.
But like last year, this is an exceptional Dallas team. Their defense isn’t as strong, but adding superstar forward Mikko Rantanen to their forward core makes them a much more dangerous team offensively. The Oilers defence is much improved, with Bouchard returning to form, Mid-season pickups Jake Wallman and John Klingberg emerging as a quality top four pairing, and with any luck Mattias Ekholm returns.
Last year the Oilers beat the Stars in six games, with Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner out duelling Dallas star Jake Oettinger to lead the Oilers to victory. Going into the Conference Finals, Skinner, after a highly inconsistent season and disastrous start to the playoffs, appears to be turning a corner after shutting out the Vegas Knights in the last two games of their series. Oettinger was absolutely brilliant tonight in game 6 against the Jets.
My brain says that Dallas will be the favourite. Their defence isn’t good after Heiskanin and Harley but it doesn’t matter as much when you have Jake Oettinger playing out of his damn mind. Their forward group is the deepest and most talented in the league.
But when it comes to actually make my prediction, though, my heart doesn’t care what my brain thinks so I’m going to pick the Oilers in six games. McDavid, Bouchard and Draisaitl will elevate their games and move us into the finals.
Not sure how many hockey fans are on this site, but I’d love to hear the opinions of those that are on this series.
One thing for sure, it will be intense, playoff hockey with outlandish offensive plays from Draisaitl, McDavid and Rantanen, strong hitting from Nurse, Kane, Marchment and Benn and great goaltending from Oettinger and Skinner.
Could be a classic.
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