The 2025 NHL Western Conference Final is now confirmed: the Dallas Stars are set to compete against the Edmonton Oilers. This series will determine which team represents the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.
To help you prepare for the upcoming round, which begins Wednesday, here is a breakdown of key information including team statistics, betting odds, and more.
The Matchup
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers
Paths to the Conference Finals
Stars: Advanced by defeating the Avalanche in seven games and the Jets in six games.
Oilers: Reached the final four by overcoming the Kings in six games and the Golden Knights in five games.
Series Schedule
- 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)
Oilers: Connor McDavid (3 goals, 14 assists)
Matchup Notes
Oilers Notes
The Oilers are the first Canadian team since the 1993-94 Toronto Maple Leafs to make consecutive appearances in the conference finals. In the NHL`s expansion era (since 1967-68), only the Montreal Canadiens, Oilers, and Maple Leafs have achieved this.
This marks Edmonton`s second straight trip to the conference finals and their third in the last four postseasons, dating back to 2022. They haven`t made consecutive appearances in 33 years, and this is the fourth occurrence in franchise history (previously 1990-92; 1983-85; 1987-88).
This is the 12th time in franchise history that the Oilers have reached the conference finals, tying them with the Chicago Blackhawks for the most appearances since Edmonton`s inaugural season in 1979-80.
Connor McDavid has accumulated 17 career points in 10 conference finals games, ranking seventh in franchise history behind legends 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 six career goals in the conference finals, which is tied with Dave Hunter for sixth in franchise history. They trail Kurri (28), Messier (23), Anderson (21), Gretzky (14), and Simpson (11).
Kris Knoblauch is the first head coach in 18 years, and the seventh in the expansion era, to reach the final four in each of his first two seasons at the helm. This exclusive group includes Bob Hartley (1999-2002), Scotty Bowman (1968-70), Randy Carlyle (2006, 2007), Lindy Ruff (1998, 1999), Mike Milbury (1990, 1991), and Jean Perron (1986, 1987).
Stars Notes
The Stars are making their third consecutive appearance in the conference finals. 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 in the salary cap era (since 2005-06) to achieve three straight trips to the final four.
Stars head coach Peter DeBoer is heading to his eighth conference finals or Stanley Cup semifinals, breaking a tie with Fred Shero for third place among coaches in the expansion era (since 1967-68). Only Scotty Bowman (16) and Al Arbour (11) have more appearances.
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 coaching a specific team. He joins Darryl Sutter (Kings, 2012-14), Bob Hartley (Colorado Avalanche, 1999-2001), and Scotty Bowman (St. Louis Blues, 1968-70).
Dallas won two of the three regular-season meetings against Edmonton, outscoring them 12-9. Jason Robertson (4 goals, 2 assists) and Roope Hintz (1 goal, 5 assists) were key offensive contributors, leading the Stars with six points each in those contests.
Mikko Rantanen enters this series as the leading scorer in the playoffs with 9 goals and 19 points through 13 games. This marks a single-postseason career high in goals for Rantanen, and he is currently on pace to surpass his best playoff point total of 25, achieved during the Avalanche`s 20-game run to the Stanley Cup in 2022.
