North6ix Recap: Round 3 - Game 5 - Edmonton vs Dallas

(Picture via Dallas Morning News)

The Edmonton Oilers secured their place in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final with a commanding 6–3 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday night. With this win, the Oilers clinched the series 4–1, marking their second consecutive trip to the Final and setting up a rematch against the Florida Panthers.

The Oilers wasted no time asserting dominance, netting three goals within the first 8:07 of the opening period. Corey Perry opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 2:31, assisted by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Just over four minutes later, Mattias Janmark extended the lead to 2–0, with assists from Jake Walman and Viktor Arvidsson. Jeff Skinner, appearing in only his second playoff game, made it 3–0 at 8:07, assisted by Trent Frederic and Adam Henrique. This goal marked Skinner's first career playoff tally after 15 NHL seasons.

Dallas responded quickly, with Jason Robertson scoring at 8:20, assisted by Wyatt Johnston, cutting the deficit to 3–1. In the second period, Roope Hintz brought the Stars within one, scoring a power-play goal at 7:33, assisted by Thomas Harley and Johnston. However, McDavid restored Edmonton's two-goal lead at 5:32, capitalizing on a breakaway opportunity, with an assist from Mattias Ekholm.

In the third period, Evander Kane increased the Oilers' lead to 5–3 at 16:39, assisted by Jake Walman and Leon Draisaitl. Kasperi Kapanen sealed the victory with an unassisted empty-net goal at 19:49, finalizing the score at 6–3.

Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 14 saves for Edmonton, providing a steady presence between the pipes. Dallas's starting goalie, Jake Oettinger, was pulled just over seven minutes into the game after allowing two goals on five shots. The decision drew visible frustration from Oettinger, who appeared visibly upset on the bench and reportedly exchanged terse words with coach Pete DeBoer. The early hook sparked postgame speculation about tensions between the goaltender and coaching staff as the Stars' season came to a bitter end.

With this win, the Oilers advance to the Stanley Cup Final, where they will face the Florida Panthers in a rematch of last year's championship series. Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, in Edmonton.