Welcome to the first Western Conference Final rematch since 2014. Just like the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings 11 years ago, the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars are meeting in the playoffs for the second consecutive spring in 2025. This marks Dallas` third straight trip to the West Final and fourth in the last six years, including the 2020 “bubble playoffs.”
The Oilers, also making their third Conference Final appearance in four years, defeated Dallas last spring, beating the Stars in six games to reach the Stanley Cup Final. That series was highlighted by Connor McDavid`s double-overtime winner in Game 1 and his spectacular power-play goal that opened the scoring in Game 6 (a 2-1 victory that clinched the series for the Oilers).
What makes this rematch unique is the immense motivation on both sides. When the Blackhawks and Kings faced off in 2014, many players on both rosters already had Stanley Cup rings. In this instance, however, neither team has managed to win it all despite consistently reaching the deep stages of the playoffs. Edmonton, of course, fell just one win short of their ultimate goal last June, while Dallas is surely eager to avenge last year`s loss to the Oilers and reach the Final for the first time under coach Pete DeBoer.
Head-to-Head Records
Edmonton: 1-2-0
Dallas: 2-1-0
Playoff Team Stats
Advanced Stats
Oilers Unsung Heroes
With shutdown defenseman Mattias Ekholm sidelined (expected to miss at least the first two games of the WCF), other Oilers defensemen have had to significantly increase their workload. Brett Kulak, who averaged 16:30 during Edmonton`s Cup Final run last year, is now playing eight minutes more per night at 24:15. These aren`t easy minutes either; 15.3% of Kulak`s shifts start in the defensive zone, the most among Oilers defensemen.
Meanwhile, trade deadline acquisition Jake Walman, who had played just one playoff game in his career before this spring, is logging over 20 minutes per night and leads the team with a +13 rating in the postseason.
This is impressive work from two blueliners who are either new to this level of responsibility or previously had only supporting roles in the playoffs.
