Oilers look to close out Stars and advance to Stanley Cup rematch with Panthers
The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of clinching another series with a Game 5 victory on the road against the Dallas Stars. A win in Game 5 would send them to a Stanley Cup final rematch and eliminate the Stars from the playoffs.
Edmonton came into Game 5 with a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference final. The Oilers had won three consecutive games while holding the Stars to only two goals since their five-goal outburst in the series opener.
Awaiting the Western Conference winner in the Stanley Cup final is the defending champion Florida Panthers, who secured their spot by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final.
Last year, the Panthers defeated the Oilers in the Stanley Cup final after a hard-fought seven-game series. Edmonton had overcome a 0-3 deficit to force a Game 7.
The Oilers earned their spot in the Western Conference final this year with a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory in Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round. They also defeated the Stars in the conference final last season.
On the other hand, the Stars are appearing in the Western Conference final for the third consecutive year. However, they are hoping to avoid becoming the first team in over three decades to reach the conference final three times without making it to the Stanley Cup final.
Veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm will be back in the Oilers lineup for Game 5 after missing time due to a lower-body injury. His return comes at a crucial time as Edmonton deals with the loss of forward Zach Hyman, who suffered an upper-body injury in Game 4 and required surgery.
The Stars, playing their 100th game of the season, will need to win Game 5 to stay alive in the playoffs. If they manage to extend the series, they will have to win Game 6 in Edmonton to force a Game 7 at home.
Game 5 is set to take place at 6 p.m. MT, with Dallas coach Pete DeBoer boasting a perfect 9-0 record in Game 7s, including three with the Stars. The stakes are high as both teams battle for a spot in the Stanley Cup final.
