This is the first time the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers have faced off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 21 years. It was the 2003 quarterfinal series and the Stars won in six games. This series will be decided by the productivity of the Edmonton power play and the Stars ability to stop it.
There is no easy path to the Stanley Cup, but both teams are coming off two long series- Dallas beat the Vegas Golden Knights in seven games and the Colorado Avalanche in six. The Oilers are also coming off a taxing seven-game series against the Vancouver Canucks.
“I’m not worried about rust,” Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer said. Oilers captain Connor McDavid said, “It’s going to be a great test, and we’re looking forward to it.”
The Oilers’ Keys To Winning
To win this series the Edmonton Oilers’ big three, Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman, and Leon Draisaitl, have to continue putting up crazy numbers. That means their power play has to come back to life. That may sound strange when the Oilers have the number one power play unit in the playoffs. But, in the last four games, it’s just two for its last 12, still is tops at 37.5%.
The Oilers are number one in most offensive categories this postseason. also have the top penalty killing unit in the playoffs hitting at 91.4%. Oiler players lead in goals, assists, points, plus/minus, even strength goals, power play goals, shots and even penalty minutes (Evander Kane, 31).
The Oilers Need More Than the Big Three
Evander Kane must contribute to this series for Edmonton to be successful. He has those 31 penalty minutes, but he only has four goals and seven points in the playoffs this year. They will need a more productive series from him, as he did back in 2022 when he had 30 points in 15 games
The other player is Evan Bouchard. He’s the top scorer among defensemen in the playoffs, and Bouchard is averaging 24 minutes per game. They’re going to need his contribution to win this series,
The Stars Keys To Winning
The Dallas Stars have to get their special teams moving, specifically their penalty kill. It ranks number 11 in the playoffs coming in at just 69%. That’s not going to cut it against Edmonton.
Probably the most important player on that penalty kill is Jake Oettinger. He has been spectacular so far in the postseason. He has come to life after a very difficult regular season. In 13 games he’s put up a 2.09 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.
The Stars Defense Has to Shine
The Dallas defense is rolling five-on-five. They’ve beaten two teams with big name offensive stars. Dallas beat Vegas with Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Jonathan Marchessault, and an Avalanche team led by Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, and the 140-point phenom Nathan MacKinnon. Will they be up to the test against the league’s top scoring offense?
Everyone in hockey uses the word depth when it comes to the Dallas Stars. Their top six, and even the top nine, are dangerous. Two-time 40-goal-scorer Jason Robertson leads the team in postseason goals. The Oilers will also have to contend with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Matt Duchene, and Joe Pavelski. Throw in Wyatt Johnston, who’s having a great postseason, and beating Dallas becomes a tough assignment.
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Bradley Tachco is a career journalist. I spent 12+ years at CNN as a writer and producer. My sports are the NHL, MLB, and NFL. My goal: unique content. And my teams are the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills (yes, I’m a masochist), and the Los Angeles Dodgers. I have been a Dodgers fan since I was old enough to think. I have gone through decades of despair with all three franchises. You can follow Bradley on X @p09691
