Western Conference

(Pacific Division No. 3) Edmonton Oilers def. (Central Division No. 2) Dallas Stars (4-1)

The Edmonton Oilers are headed back to the Stanley Cup Final after a dominant 6–3 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday night in Dallas. Edmonton got on the board early with a 3–0 lead just 8:07 into the opening period. Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark, and Jeff Skinner each found the back of the net to give the Oilers full control from the start.

Dallas responded with goals from Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz to cut the deficit to 3–2, but Connor McDavid answered quickly to restore Edmonton’s two-goal lead. Robertson scored his second goal just 38 seconds into the third period to make it 4–3, but the Oilers stayed composed. Evander Kane added another goal to extend the lead, and Kasperi Kapanen scored an empty-net goal to seal the win and the series, marking the second straight seaon the Oilers have knocked the Stars out of the playoffs.

Edmonton now advances to face the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in a rematch of last year’s Final. The Oilers came back from a 0–3 series deficit to force Game 7 in that series, only to fall short in the decider. Game 1 of this year’s Stanley Cup Final is set for Wednesday June 4th in Edmonton, as the Oilers aim to end Canada’s 32-year Cup drought. The last Canadian team to hoist the Stanley Cup was the 1993 Montreal Canadiens. Edmonton will also be chasing its first championship since 1990.