DALLAS, TX — The Edmonton Oilers are heading back to the Stanley Cup Final, and they’re doing it in high-flying, high-scoring style. Backed by an explosive start and a clutch performance from their leaders, the Oilers knocked out the Dallas Stars with a 6-3 win in Game 5 at American Airlines Center to win the Western Conference Final.
From the drop of the puck, the Oilers came out with fire — and by 8:07 of the first period, they were already up 3-0.
🎙️ “We knew we were going to need everybody,” said Leon Draisaitl, who picked up two assists in the win. “Our depth, our goaltending, the commitment—it’s been building all season. This is what we’ve worked for.”
🚨 First Period Blitz Silences Dallas
It started with a power-play goal from veteran Corey Perry just 2:31 in — a tap-in off a slick dish from Connor McDavid. Less than five minutes later, Mattias Janmark slid one through the five-hole on a breakaway to make it 2-0. And then, in a feel-good moment, Jeff Skinner, making his first playoff appearance since April, scored his first career postseason goal, stretching the lead to 3-0 and sending a loud message to the Dallas bench.
That was all Dallas coach Pete DeBoer needed to see — starting goalie Jake Oettinger was yanked after allowing two goals on two shots, replaced by Casey DeSmith.
🌟 Stars Show Fight, but Oilers Respond
To their credit, the Stars didn’t roll over. Jason Robertson cut the lead to 3-1 in the first, then Roope Hintz made it 3-2 with a power-play blast in the second. But just two minutes later, McDavid reminded the hockey world why he’s the best, converting a breakaway to make it 4-2 and deflate the crowd.
Robertson struck again early in the third to bring it to 4-3, but the Oilers slammed the door shut. Evander Kane banked in a bizarre one off a defender’s skate, and Kasperi Kapanen sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final minute.
🧱 Solid Between the Pipes & Stepping Up
While Stuart Skinner wasn’t heavily tested, he stood tall with 14 saves to notch another series-clincher — his second of these playoffs. Edmonton’s back end delivered too, with Mattias Ekholm returning from injury to stabilize the blue line.
🧠 Coach Kris Knoblauch praised his team’s focus: “Our mindset has never been just to be the best in the West. This team has matured. This team wants the Cup.”
🏆 Stanley Cup Final: A Rematch Set
It’s the Oilers vs. Panthers, Round 2. A rematch of last year’s classic, which Florida took in seven games. But this time? Game 1 goes Wednesday in Edmonton. And you better believe Rogers Place will be rocking.
🎯 Notable Numbers:
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McDavid: 1G, 1A — now at 100 playoff assists in just 90 games (2nd fastest in NHL history, behind Gretzky).
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Jeff Skinner: At 33 years, now the oldest Oiler ever to score his first playoff goal.
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Corey Perry: 7th goal of the playoffs — most ever by a player aged 39+ in a single postseason.
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Edmonton: 3rd straight playoff series with a Game 5 win to advance.
🗓️ Game 1 – Stanley Cup Final
📍 Rogers Place, Edmonton
🕗 Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET
📺 CBC, Sportsnet, TNT, truTV, MAX
