The 2025 NHL Western Conference Final is set to feature a showdown between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers. These two teams will compete for the right to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.
To get you ready for the series, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, here is a look at key information, including data from research, betting odds, and more.
Matchup Overview
C2 Dallas Stars vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Paths to the Western Conference Final:
- Stars: Eliminated the Colorado Avalanche in seven games, and the Winnipeg Jets in six games.
- Oilers: Eliminated the Los Angeles Kings in six games, and 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.
- Game 6: Stars at Oilers | May 31, 8 p.m.
- Game 7: Oilers at Stars | June 2, 8 p.m.
Series Odds:
- Oilers -120
- Stars +100
Stanley Cup Odds:
- Oilers +250
- Stars +350
Leading Playoff Scorers:
- Stars: Mikko Rantanen (9 goals, 10 assists, 19 points)
- Oilers: Connor McDavid (3 goals, 14 assists, 17 points)
Detailed Matchup Notes
Edmonton Oilers Notes:
The Oilers are making consecutive appearances in the conference finals, a first for a Canadian team since the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1993 and 1994. In the NHL`s expansion era (since 1967-68), only the Montreal Canadiens, the Oilers, and the Maple Leafs have reached the final four in back-to-back seasons as Canadian clubs.
Edmonton has reached the conference finals for the second straight year and the third time in the last four postseasons, dating back to 2022. This marks the first time in 33 years and the fourth instance in franchise history that the Oilers have appeared in consecutive conference finals (previous times: 1990-92; 1983-85; 1987-1988).
This is the 12th conference finals appearance in Oilers franchise history, tying them with the Chicago Blackhawks for the most trips to the final four since Edmonton joined the NHL in 1979-80.
Connor McDavid has recorded 17 career points in 10 conference finals games, ranking seventh in franchise history behind legendary players like Wayne Gretzky (55), Mark Messier (55), Glenn Anderson (48), Jari Kurri (46), Paul Coffey (27), and Craig Simpson (18).
Both McDavid and Zach Hyman have tallied six career goals in the conference finals, which ties Dave Hunter for sixth in franchise history. The players ahead of them are Kurri (28), Messier (23), Anderson (21), Gretzky (14), and Simpson (11).
Kris Knoblauch is the first head coach in 18 years, and just the seventh in the expansion era (since 1967-68), to guide his team to the final four in each of his first two seasons behind the bench. The others on this list include Bob Hartley (four times from 1999 to 2002), Scotty Bowman (three times from 1968 to `70), Randy Carlyle (2006, 2007), Lindy Ruff (1998, 1999), Mike Milbury (1990, 1991), and Jean Perron (1986, 1987).
Dallas Stars Notes:
The Stars have advanced to their third consecutive conference finals. In the salary cap era (since 2005-06), they join an exclusive group of teams that have reached three straight conference finals: the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020-22), Chicago Blackhawks (2013-15), Los Angeles Kings (2012-14), and Detroit Red Wings (2007-09).
Stars coach Peter DeBoer is making his eighth appearance in a conference final/Stanley Cup semifinal. This moves him past Fred Shero into sole possession of third place 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/Stanley Cup semifinals in each of his first three seasons with the same team. 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).
During the regular season, the Stars won two out of the three games played against the Oilers, outscoring them with a combined 12 goals to 9. Jason Robertson (4 goals, 2 assists, 6 points) and Roope Hintz (1 goal, 5 assists, 6 points) were the top offensive contributors for the Stars in those matchups.
Mikko Rantanen enters this series as the leading scorer in the playoffs with nine goals and 19 points through 13 games. His nine goals already represent a career-high in a single postseason, and he is currently on pace to significantly surpass his personal best of 25 playoff points, which he achieved during the Avalanche`s 20-game run to the Stanley Cup in 2022.
