Edmonton Advances After OT Thriller, Eyes Dallas or Winnipeg in West Final Clash

LAS VEGAS – NHL PLAYOFFS – The Edmonton Oilers are Western Conference Final-bound, folks! In a nail-biting, pulse-pounding Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena, the Oilers shut the door on the defending champs, the Vegas Golden Knights, with a heart-stopping 1-0 overtime victory. The win propels the Pacific Division’s No. 3 seed into the conference final for the third time in four years.

But the question on everyone’s mind? Who’s next.

Will it be the high-flying Dallas Stars, who currently hold a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets? Or can the Jets rally behind their red-hot goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, to crash the party? The answer comes Thursday night in a pivotal Game 5 showdown (9:30 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, MAX).

McDavid, Draisaitl Leading the Charge

Captain Connor McDavid is putting on a postseason clinic with 17 points (3G, 14A), while his trusty wingman Leon Draisaitl is right behind him at 16 points (5G, 11A). Evan Bouchard’s been lights out from the blue line, tallying 12 points.

In net, it’s been a rollercoaster. Calvin Pickard played hero early, going 6-0 with a 2.84 GAA before an untimely lower-body injury sidelined him. Stuart Skinner has since bounced back big-time, sporting a sizzling 1.28 GAA, a .943 save percentage, and back-to-back shutouts.

Head-to-Head Battles: What the Numbers Say

Against Dallas, Edmonton struggled during the season series, going 1-2-0. Stars sniper Jason Robertson torched the Oilers with a six-point outburst, including a hat trick back in March. Meanwhile, the crease battle leaned slightly toward Jake Oettinger, who backstopped Dallas to two wins.

Historically, Dallas has been a thorn in Edmonton’s side, winning five of their seven playoff series. But let’s not forget, last year, the Oilers topped the Stars in the West Final en route to their Cup Final appearance.

If it’s Winnipeg, the regular season saw a more balanced tilt. Edmonton went 1-1-1, with McDavid and Jeff Skinner leading the charge. But the Jets flexed their defensive muscle, led by Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey’s four-point performances. And in net, Connor Hellebuyck? Absolutely brick wall material — 2-0-0 with a 1.49 GAA and a .944 save percentage.

Of course, Oilers fans remember the bitter taste of the 2021 playoffs when Winnipeg swept Edmonton right out of the first round.

Next Stop: Legacy Territory

For the Oilers, this isn’t just another trip to the conference final — it’s about legacy. After falling just short in last year’s Stanley Cup Final against Florida, the boys in blue and orange are hungry to finish what they started.

So, Thunder Bay hockey fans, get ready. The Oilers’ path to the Cup will roll through Dallas or Winnipeg. Buckle up!