Game 1 of the 2025 Western Conference Final delivered a classic Stanley Cup playoff reminder: the game isn`t over until the final buzzer. The Dallas Stars mounted a stunning comeback, scoring five goals in the third period after trailing 3-1, to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 6-3.
As the series heads to Game 2 on Friday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+), can the Oilers bounce back, or will the Stars extend their lead before heading to Edmonton? Here`s a look at the matchup and key statistics:
Matchup Notes
Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars
Game 2 | Friday, May 23, 2025 | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN/ESPN+
Following their Game 1 victory, the Dallas Stars are now favored at -190 to win the series, according to ESPN BET, while the Oilers are listed at +160. The Stars` odds to win the Stanley Cup have improved to +200, with the Oilers at +350. Mikko Rantanen (+300) has surpassed Connor McDavid (+450) as the favorite for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Historically, teams winning Game 1 of a best-of-seven series in the Stanley Cup playoffs have won the series 68% of the time. In the 2025 playoffs, this trend has held strong, with Game 1 winners taking nine out of 12 series (75%).
The Stars` third-period surge in Game 1 included three power-play goals within the opening 5:58. This feat makes them just the second team since 1934 to score three power-play goals in the first six minutes of a playoff period, joining the 2014 New York Rangers.
Dallas` total of five goals in the third period of Game 1 set a franchise record for the most goals scored in a single third period in Stars/North Stars playoff history.
Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen recorded his 13th career multipoint game in the playoffs, tying Sergei Zubov for the most by a defenseman in franchise history.
Mikko Rantanen has accumulated 20 points this postseason, marking his third career playoff run with at least 20 points. He is one of only six active players to achieve this milestone in three or more consecutive postseasons. The others are Sidney Crosby (four times), Nikita Kucherov (four), Patrick Kane (three), Evgeni Malkin (three), and Connor McDavid (three).
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid factored into the same playoff goal for the 69th time in their careers. This ranks as the fourth-most by any pair of teammates in NHL history, behind Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri (132), Glenn Anderson and Mark Messier (86), and Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier (85).
Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner`s shutout streak ended at 142:42, the fourth-longest shutout sequence in Oilers playoff history. He stopped 55 consecutive shots before Tyler Seguin`s first goal of the game broke the streak.
Scoring Leaders
Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars
GP: 14 | G: 9 | A: 11
Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
GP: 12 | G: 6 | A: 13
