The Edmonton Oilers were close to winning the Stanley Cup last year. This team is determined to return to the Final this year and finish their story. That determination is exemplified in their play so far in the Western Conference Final. After a convincing win in Game 3, the Oilers lead the series over the Dallas Stars, 2-1.
Mid-Series Review of the 2025 Western Conference Final
The Series Thus Far
Game 1
Through the first two periods, Game 1 went the Oilers’ way. They led 3-1 and seemed to be on their way to a victory to open the series. However, behind three power-play goals, the Stars rallied and scored five unanswered goals, winning the game 6-3.
Game 2
The Stars offensive fire was extinguished in Game 2 by Oilers’ netminder, Stuart Skinner. Playing like the goalie that got the Oilers to the Final last season, Skinner stopped all 25 Dallas shutouts to earn his third shutout of the playoffs.
Adding injury to insult, the Stars lost centre Roope Hintz early in the third period. The centre was slashed in the left foot by Darnell Nurse and did not return to the game. Furthermore, Hintz was seen limping after the game. Hintz was a game-time decision for Game 3 but did not play.
Game 3
The series headed to Edmonton for Game 3. The Oilers scored two goals in 36 seconds in the first period for a 2-0 lead. After the Stars cut the lead in half in the second, Connor McDavid scored his fourth of the playoffs (and second of the game) in the last few minutes to increase the Edmonton lead to 3-1 after 40 minutes.
Just as the Stars offence erupted in the third period of Game 1, the Oilers offence erupted in the third period of Game 3. Two Zach Hyman goals opened the floodgates as the Oilers cruised to a 6-1 victory. The Oilers now lead the series 2-1. Furthermore, they are just two wins away from returning to the Stanley Cup Final.
Why the Oilers Lead
Sensational Skinner
Skinner was benched in the opening-round series but got another chance and has not looked back. Skinner has three shutouts in his last five games, including two on the road. After a rough start to the playoffs, Skinner has a respectable 2.90 goals against average and a .890 save percentage.
In this series, Skinner has played in all nine periods and has only allowed seven goals. However, five goals came in the Stars’ third-period rally in Game 1. Aside from one bad period where the Oilers kept going to the penalty box, Skinner has been lights out.
Staying Out of the Box
The Stars entered the series with a lethal power play capable of taking over. This was demonstrated in Game 1 when the Stars went three for four on the power play. Following that game, it became clear that for the Oilers to win, they would need to stay out of the penalty box.
In Games 2 and 3, the Oilers only allowed four power plays to the Stars. They kept the Stars at even strength and did a great job of limiting scoring chances.
Why the Stars Trail
Five-on-Five Woes
The Stars have only scored two five-on-five goals in this series. Outside of their five-goal third period in Game 1, in which four came on power plays or 6-on-5 play, the Stars have been outscored 9-2. Aside from the third period of Game 1, this series has been heavily one-sided.
Due to the Oilers’ discipline, the Stars are also not getting power-play chances. They are 0/4 since Game 1. These offensive woes may only worsen if Hintz misses more time.
Problems Between the Pipes
Jake Oettinger was playing well entering the Western Conference Final. However, that success has not carried into this series. Oettinger has given up at least three goals in each game, including six goals on 18 shots in Game 3. Oettinger is slumping at a bad time for the Stars.
When you combine the Stars’ struggles on offence with Oettinger’s struggles in goal, it makes one wonder how the Stars even have a win in this series. The Stars’ stars are not shining on the big stage. If this continues, it will be another disappointing exit for the Stars in the Western Conference Final.
Game 4
Game 4 will be on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. EST. Please check back with Last Word on Hockey for our Game 4 prediction and other news and notes from around the NHL.
Main Photo: Perry Nelson- Imagn Images
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