The Edmonton Oilers have advanced to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff Finals to square off against the Florida Panthers. In their Western Conference Finals series, the Oilers were perhaps lucky to get past the Dallas Stars in six games. However, they proved that they were the better team and advanced as a result. Therefore, the Oilers, who didn’t touch it by the way, were crowned Clarence S. Campbell Bowl winners for 2024. As we have been doing with all the playoff series, we at Last Word will provide all you need to know of what is happening, and analysis of why. Let’s take a look at some of the Oilers strengths and weaknesses that saw them through the series against the Stars and to this point in the 2024 playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers vs Dallas Stars Western Conference Finals Mid-Series Recap
One Big Storyline for the Oilers and Stars Series was Special Teams
One big topic of discussion for the Edmonton Oilers in these playoffs and it was true in the series against the Stars is their specialty teams. For starters, over the course of the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers have an incredible 93.9 penalty kill percentage (PK%). Moreover, this includes a still active streak of 28 consecutive successful kills, which is an Oilers franchise record.
This is a great example of the Oilers roster depth. They were able to successfully interchange perhaps their top penalty killing defenceman, Vincent Desharnais, and kept on rolling. Desharnais was replaced in the Oilers lineup by Philip Broberg who played the final three games versus the Stars. In addition, thanks to the Oilers high-powered offensive threats, they also have the top playoff power play at 37.3%. They also lead the Panthers 19-14 for total power play goals this post-season. In any case, Dallas was not able to break through on the power play, or make a difference on the penalty kill, and it helped propel the Oilers to win the series in six.
What Happened in the Series Clincher Game 6
As for the series clincher Game 6 itself, two big players for the Oilers against the Stars were Stuart Skinner and Connor McDavid. McDavid had a big Game 6, starting off the game with a power play marker less than five minutes in. It was an absolutely gorgeous effort as he was able to cut to the net and then chipped one upstairs past Jake Oettinger. Even though he seemed to do it quietly, McDavid took control of the game and ultimately the series when it mattered most. With the goal, McDavid registered his 30th point of the post-season. In the process, he became just the sixth player in NHL history with multiple 30-point seasons in the playoffs.
McDavid Doing McDavid Things
Another example of McDavid’s influence, was when the Oilers were without Evander Kane for a stretch. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch, pulling strings as he’s known to do, was double shifting McDavid. Where normal professional athletes may grow tired with too much ice time, it just seems to give McDavid more flow and command over the game. One observation from McDavid’s play is an underrated point, that given the way he can control the game, and never really be caught out of position, he had been very solid defensively.
Stuart Skinner Solid Between the Pipes
The other noteworthy performance by an Oilers player in the series against the Stars was Stuart Skinner. Even back to the second round series against the Vancouver Canucks, Skinner has played very strong. He’s carried a .920 SV% with him over his past eight games. That includes holding the Stars to just 12 goals against in the six game series. Furthermore, the save percentage total would be better if not for his team’s strong defensive play.
Previous to last night, where the Stars outshot the Oilers 35-10, the Oilers had outshot their opponent for seven straight contests. The ten shots for the Oilers last night were the fewest in a playoff victory. It seems the saying is true, as the two (or three) goal lead is the worst lead in hockey, as the Oilers jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead. After the point, the Stars really pushed hard in this game.
One Last Gasp for the Stars vs the Oilers Not to Be
The Dallas Stars were a formidable opponent for the Oilers in this series. The way the Stars dominated the play in Game 6 of the series with the Oilers, they showed why they deserved to be here. If not for a Roope Hintz post at around 12:10 of the second period, the closely contested Game 6, and ultimately the entire Conference Final series outcome, could’ve turned out much different.
The Stars did look like a different team since Hintz returned to the lineup for Game 3 of the series. It seemed his addition to the Stars lineup would be a difference-maker. Especially so, after Jason Robertson exploded with three goals in his return, powering a Stars 5-3 victory in the Game 3. But the Oilers found a way to gameplan to neutralize the Stars attack. The Stars only managed four goals in the remaining three games of the series, all losses.
It seems the Oilers and Stars series highlighted why Edmonton has been considered a Stanley Cup contender for most of the season. Ever since Knoblauch took over for Jay Woodcroft, the Oilers have been on a run. They have top-end talent, a reliable goaltender, three solid defensive pairings, the league’s best special teams, and solid forward depth to boot. They look every part the team that deserves to represent the Western Conference in this year’s Stanley Cup finals. The finals are set to kick-off Saturday, June 8th from Sunrise, Florida. Will the Oilers be able to give the Panthers a run for their money? Or are the Panthers just too loaded of a roster to stop? Stay tuned for all the intense action.
Main photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
