The 2025 NHL Western Conference Final matchup is officially set. The Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers are poised to battle for the conference championship and a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
As the next round approaches, here`s a breakdown to get you ready, featuring key data points, wagering insights, and more.
Matchup
Dallas Stars (Central 2) vs. Edmonton Oilers (Pacific 3)
Paths to the Final Four
- Stars: Defeated the Colorado Avalanche in seven games, then the Winnipeg Jets in six games.
- Oilers: Advanced past the Los Angeles Kings in six games, followed by a victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.
Series Schedule (All times ET)
- Game 1: Oilers at Stars | May 21, 8 p.m.
- Game 2: Oilers at Stars | May 23, 8 p.m.
- Game 3: Stars at Oilers | May 25, 3 p.m.
- Game 4: Stars at Oilers | May 27, 8 p.m.
- Game 5: Oilers at Stars | May 29, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
- Game 6: Stars at Oilers | May 31, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
- Game 7: Oilers at Stars | June 2, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
Betting Odds
- Series Winner: Oilers -120, Stars +100
- Stanley Cup Winner: Oilers +250, Stars +350
Leading Playoff Scorers (Entering Series)
- Stars: Mikko Rantanen (9 goals, 10 assists – 19 points)
- Oilers: Connor McDavid (3 goals, 14 assists – 17 points)
Key Matchup Notes
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are the first Canadian franchise to reach consecutive conference finals since the Toronto Maple Leafs did so in 1993 and 1994. Among Canadian teams in the expansion era (since 1967-68), only the Montreal Canadiens, the Oilers themselves, and the Maple Leafs have achieved this feat multiple times.
This marks Edmonton`s second straight appearance in the conference finals and their third in the last four postseasons, dating back to 2022. It`s the first time in 33 years the Oilers have made consecutive trips to the final four, and the fourth time in franchise history (following 1990-92, 1983-85, and 1987-88).
This is the 12th time the Oilers have advanced to the conference finals in franchise history. Since their inaugural season in 1979-80, the Oilers are tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for the most final four appearances.
Connor McDavid has accumulated 17 career points across 10 conference finals games. This places him seventh in franchise history for conference finals scoring, behind legends like Wayne Gretzky (55), Mark Messier (55), Glenn Anderson (48), Jari Kurri (46), Paul Coffey (27), and Craig Simpson (18).
McDavid and Zach Hyman are tied with Dave Hunter for sixth in franchise history with six career goals each in the conference finals. They trail Kurri (28), Messier (23), Anderson (21), Gretzky (14), and Simpson (11).
Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch is the first coach in 18 years, and only the seventh in the expansion era (since 1967-68), to reach the final four in each of his first two seasons guiding a team. He joins Bob Hartley (1999-2002), Scotty Bowman (1968-70), Randy Carlyle (2006-07), Lindy Ruff (1998-99), Mike Milbury (1990-91), and Jean Perron (1986-87).
Dallas Stars
The Stars are making their third consecutive appearance in the conference finals. In the salary cap era (since 2005-06), they join the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020-22), Chicago Blackhawks (2013-15), Los Angeles Kings (2012-14), and Detroit Red Wings (2007-09) as the only teams to reach the final four three years in a row.
Stars Head Coach Peter DeBoer is now heading to his eighth conference finals or Stanley Cup semifinals appearance. This breaks a tie with Fred Shero and places him third among coaches in the expansion era (since 1967-68), trailing only Scotty Bowman (16) and Al Arbour (11).
DeBoer is also the fourth coach in the expansion era to reach the conference finals or Stanley Cup semifinals in each of his first three seasons with a club. The others are Darryl Sutter with the Kings (2012-14), Bob Hartley with the Colorado Avalanche (1999-2001), and Scotty Bowman with the St. Louis Blues (1968-70).
In the regular season, the Stars won two out of three games against the Oilers, outscoring them 12-9 in those contests. Jason Robertson (4 goals, 2 assists) and Roope Hintz (1 goal, 5 assists) were the leading scorers for the Stars with six points each in the season series.
Mikko Rantanen enters this series as the leading scorer in the playoffs with nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points through 13 games. His nine goals already represent a career-high for a single postseason. He is currently on pace to surpass his single-playoff points record of 25, which he set during the Avalanche`s 20-game run to the Cup in 2022.
