The Edmonton Oilers have officially clinched their spot in the Stanley Cup Final. They defeated the Dallas Stars with a decisive 6-3 victory in Game 5, winning the Western Conference Final series. Edmonton got off to an incredibly fast start, catching Dallas off guard, and successfully held off the Stars` comeback efforts to secure the series-clinching win.
Presented with the chance to eliminate the Stars, Oilers captain Connor McDavid delivered a standout performance. He was a driving force behind the win, contributing significantly throughout the night. McDavid not only assisted on the game`s opening goal but also scored the crucial game-winning goal late in the second period.
Just moments after Dallas narrowed the deficit to one goal, a blocked shot bounced into the neutral zone. McDavid showcased his speed, racing past Roope Hintz to create a breakaway chance. He then executed a perfect deke at full speed, extending Edmonton`s lead to 4-2.
The Stars managed to pull within two goals again early in the third period courtesy of Jason Robertson`s second tally of the game. However, the Oilers responded quickly when Evander Kane scored by banking the puck off the skate of Dallas defenseman Esa Lindell.
From that point forward, the Oilers played tight defense, similar to their successful strategies in Games 3 and 4. Despite Dallas possessing significant offensive firepower, they struggled to generate scoring chances with their season on the line, managing only four shots on goaltender Stuart Skinner in the final period.
A persistent issue for the Stars throughout their playoff run was allowing the first goal, and this contest was no exception. Just 2 minutes and 31 seconds after the opening face-off, Corey Perry scored a power play goal, set up by a fantastic pass from McDavid.
Less than five minutes later, on Edmonton`s second shot of the game, Mattias Janmark took advantage of a defensive breakdown during a Stars line change and slipped a shot through the legs of Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger.
In a surprising tactical move, Stars coach Peter DeBoer replaced Oettinger with backup netminder Casey DeSmith. Unfortunately for Dallas, DeSmith conceded a goal on only his fourth shot faced – a low `rug-burner` shot from veteran forward Jeff Skinner.
Remarkably, this marked the 33-year-old Skinner`s first career playoff goal in his 15th NHL season.
It`s difficult to speculate how the game would have unfolded if Oettinger had stayed in the net, but it`s possible the Stars might have been in a better position heading into the final minutes instead of facing a two-goal deficit.
The Oilers now advance to the Stanley Cup Final where they will face the Florida Panthers. This matchup promises to be an exciting rematch and gives Edmonton the opportunity to end a 32-year Stanley Cup drought for Canada.
Western Conference Final Series Summary
- Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3
- Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0
- Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1
- Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1
- Game 5: Oilers 5, Stars 3
Torin Vale 
Elton Marrow