The path to redemption begins now.
For the first time in 16 years, there will be a Stanley Cup Final rematch.
The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 6-3 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton struck early and often, and while Dallas fought back to try and avoid elimination, it wasn’t enough to prevent the series-clinching win for the Oilers.
The last Cup rematch took place in 2009, when the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings in seven games to win the championship. The Wings took home the prized trophy in 2008.
How It Happened
Connor McDavid had an impact from the drop of the puck. Not only did he assist on Corey Perry’s opening goal of the game, but he also scored the game-winner in the second period. The first goal happened just 2:31 into the game when McDavid set up Perry with a beautiful pass on the power play.
Mattias Janmark made it a 2-0 game before Stars head coach Pete DeBoer shockingly yanked Jake Oettinger for Casey DeSmith. It made no difference as he allowed a goal to Jeff Skinner on just the fourth shot he faced to make it a three-goal deficit.
Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz ganged up on Stuart Skinner to cut the deficit to one. However, McDavid turned on his V8 and schooled Hintz before taking off on a breakaway to put the Oilers up 4-2.
To open the third period Robertson would get his second goal of the game to get Dallas within one again, but that’s as close as they got. Evander Kane responded shortly thereafter with a goal that bounced off the skate of Dallas defenseman Esa Lindell to restore the two-goal lead.
From there, the Oilers had to be game managers, which they did with precision. They shut down Dallas’ offense by holding them to just four shots on goal in the third period. It was a statement performance by a complete team. Kasperi Kapanen added an empty-net goal to seal the Stars’ third straight Western Conference Final defeat in a 6-3 final score.
The 26-year-old Skinner, made 14 saves on the night as he led the Oilers to another victory behind a solid performance between the pipes.
Now, the Oilers will square off against the Panthers in what could be one of the greatest Stanley Cup Finals of all-time. If the Oilers win, it will be their first Stanley Cup title since 1990.
Upcoming
The path to Lord Stanley for the Oilers starts at home. Game 1 is nearly a week away on Wednesday, June 4, at Rogers Place. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. local time.