The Dallas Stars narrowly avoided a return trip to Winnipeg and, in doing so, earned a shot at redemption. After falling to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 Western Conference Finals despite arguably being the better team the Stars now have a chance to make things right in 2025. Last year’s loss, driven by struggles on special teams and the brilliance of Connor McDavid, lingered throughout the organization all season.
Now, fate has lined things up for a rematch. For the second consecutive year, the Stars will face the Oilers with a berth in the Stanley Cup Final on the line. Dallas secured its spot with a thrilling 2-1 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night at American Airlines Center, clinching the second-round series 4-2. It marks their third straight trip to the Western Conference Finals a feat accomplished only once before in franchise history.
“We’ve grown a lot over the past two years,” said Stars goalie Jake Oettinger. “All we wanted was this opportunity. That it’s Edmonton makes it even better. Our best hockey is still ahead of us.”
The Stars have once again advanced through a gauntlet of elite competition. They defeated a loaded Colorado Avalanche team in the first round, followed by the top-seeded Jets winners of the Presidents’ Trophy in Round Two.
Saturday’s Game 6 win came courtesy of a power-play goal in overtime by defenseman Thomas Harley. The man-advantage came after Sam Steel was tripped on a breakaway in the final seconds of regulation a play that would typically warrant a penalty shot during the regular season.
Head coach Pete DeBoer acknowledged the challenge ahead. “Now we face Edmonton, the best team in the playoffs so far. Every year is different, and this year, they’re deeper just like we are. It’s going to be a real test.”
The series schedule begins May 21 in Dallas. The Stars enter the matchup healthier than they’ve been in months, with All-Stars Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen back in the lineup. It will also be the first full series that includes recently acquired All-Star forward Mikko Rantanen. Combined with Harley’s emergence on the blue line, Dallas looks well-equipped to go further than last year.
“We’re only halfway there, and it already feels like we’ve been through so much,” DeBoer said. “That’s the nature of the NHL playoffs. But I believe there’s something special happening here.”
For Oettinger and the rest of the Stars, the message is clear: they’re not just ready for the Oilers they want them.
