The Dallas Stars narrowly avoided another trip to the tourist trap that is Winnipeg, and in doing so they have the chance to get back what they blew one year ago.
The Stars were the better than the Edmonton Oilers when they played in the 2024 Western Conference Finals, but they wasted their chance and lost the series because of special teams, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid. It’s one that burned the entire organization for a good portion of this season.
As luck, fate, karma or something cosmic would have it, the Stars will get a chance to do in 2025 what they did not in ‘24. For the second consecutive year, the Stars will play the Oilers for the right to go to the Stanley Cup Final.
On Saturday night at the American Airlines Center, the Stars defeated the Winnipeg Jets, 2-1, in overtime in a wonderfully dramatic game that only the Stanley Cup playoffs can do. The Stars won the series 4-2, and are in the Western Conference Finals for a third straight year.
It’s the second time in franchise history the team reached the conference finals three years in a row.
“We’ve learned a lot the last two years. All we wanted was this opportunity. The fact that it’s Edmonton makes it even better,” Stars goalie Jake Oettinger said after the game.
Focus on that part; the Stars want Edmonton.
“It’s up to us to take the next step,” Oettinger said. “We should feel great what we have done, but I think our best hockey is yet to come.”
Dallas Stars versus Edmonton Oilers schedule
Game 1 May 21 Edmonton at Dallas, 7 p.m.
Game 2 May 23 Edmonton at Dallas 7 p.m.
Game 3 May 25 Dallas at Edmonton 2 p.m.
Game 4 May 27 Dallas at Edmonton 7 p.m.
Game 5 May 29 Edmonton at Dallas 7 p.m. (*)
Game 6 May 31 Dallas at Edmonton 7 p.m. (*)
Game 7 June 2 Edmonton at Dallas 7 p.m. (*)
(* If necessary)
Dallas Stars to play yet another great team
For the second straight year the Stars ran through the first two rounds of the playoffs by defeating teams that were good enough to win the Stanley Cup.
In Round One, the Stars defeated a Colorado team that was loaded with talent, especially at forward. On Saturday night, the Stars eliminated the winner of the President’s Trophy, the team that finished with the most points during the regular season.
“We lost to a great team,” Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said. “We lost to a team that was in our rear view mirror all year long.”
The Stars won Game 6 early in overtime on defenseman Thomas Harley’s game-winning shot on a power play. The power play, the only one of the game, was called in the final seconds of regulation when the Stars’ Sam Steel was tripped on a breakaway. If that penalty happens during the regular season, Steel is awarded a penalty shot.
“Now we get Edmonton that’s been the best team in the playoffs,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said.
Seldom does a team get the chance to play the same opponent that ended their season in a conference finals the next year.
Do the Stars “Want the Oilers?”
“I don’t know if you ever ask to play (Edmonton’s) Connor McDavid and (center Leon) Draisaitl,” DeBoer said. “I’m not sure we’re wishing to play anybody but I’m not surprised we’re getting another elite team and a tough test. The way it’s rolled out sure hasn’t been easy.
“Every year is different. They’re a different team this year. They’re a deeper team this year. It’s a lot like the Colorado (playoff) series we had last year. They’re a better version (this year). I think we’re a better version.”
With the return of forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen, the Stars have a healthy lineup for the first time in months.
This is the first time these All-Stars will play with recently acquired All-Star forward Mikko Rantanen for a seven-game series. Throw in the development of Harley on defense, and the Stars are built for this run to advance beyond the Western Conference finals.
“It’s hard to believe we’re halfway, right? It sure feels like we’ve been through a lot. That’s the beauty of the NHL playoffs,” DeBoer said. “I think we have a lot left. I think we have something special going on. We’ll have to prove it again.”
That they get the chance to do it against Edmonton is rare, but listen to Jake Oettinger on this. The Stars want the Oilers.
Mac Engel
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
817-390-7760
Mac Engel is an award-winning columnist who has covered sports since the dawn of man; Cowboys, TCU, Stars, Rangers, Mavericks, etc. Olympics. Movies. Concerts. Books. He combines dry wit with 1st-person reporting to complement an annoying personality. Support my work with a digital subscription