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July 29, 2026
5 Skills Named After Olympic Gymnasts
May 30, 2025
The Edmonton Oilers clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final berth with a decisive 6-3 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final at American Airlines Center on Thursday, May 29, 2025. A three-goal blitz in the first 8:07 propelled the No. 3 seed from the Pacific Division to a 4-1 series win, setting up a rematch against the Florida Panthers, who defeated them 2-1 in Game 7 last season. Game 1 of the best-of-7 Final is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, at Rogers Place in Edmonton (8 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, MAX). “We knew we were going to need everybody,” forward Leon Draisaitl said. “Our depth has been incredible” (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025).
Edmonton seized control early, capitalizing on Dallas’ slow start. Corey Perry opened the scoring at 2:31 on a power play, tapping in a Connor McDavid pass for his seventh playoff goal. Per the NHL.com report by Taylor Baird, this set a record for the most goals in a single postseason by a player aged 35 or older, surpassing the six goals Perry had previously tied with players like Teemu Selanne and Jean Beliveau (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025). “We’re mature,” Perry said. “The calmness on the bench, making plays when things are going hairy on the ice… it’s been a want since last year” (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025).
Mattias Janmark doubled the lead at 7:09, scoring through Jake Oettinger’s five-hole on a breakaway, prompting Stars coach Pete DeBoer to pull Oettinger after two goals on two shots. Casey DeSmith took over, making 17 saves on 20 shots. Jeff Skinner, replacing the injured Zach Hyman (out for the postseason with an upper-body injury sustained in Game 4), added a third goal at 8:07, his first career playoff tally, scored through a scramble. Skinner, at 33 years and 13 days, became the oldest Oiler to score his first playoff goal, per Baird’s report (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025).
Dallas responded with Jason Robertson’s goal at 11:40, cutting the deficit to 3-1 after Wyatt Johnston forced a turnover. The Stars, the No. 2 seed from the Central Division, narrowed the gap to 3-2 with Roope Hintz’s power-play one-timer at 12:27 of the second period, assisted by Johnston and Thomas Harley. McDavid restored Edmonton’s two-goal lead at 14:28, deking DeSmith on a breakaway for his 100th playoff assist, the second-fastest in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025). “That was a golden example of a big player making a big play,” defenseman Darnell Nurse said (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025).
Robertson’s second goal 38 seconds into the third period made it 4-3, but Evander Kane’s bank shot off Stars defenseman Esa Lindell’s skate at 3:21 restored a two-goal cushion. Kasperi Kapanen sealed the 6-3 win with an empty-net goal at 19:40. “We weren’t good enough in front of [Oettinger],” Johnston said, reflecting on Dallas’ early collapse (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025). DeBoer expressed mixed pride and disappointment, noting the Stars’ third straight conference final exit: “There’s no doubt the two best teams are playing for the Cup” (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025).
Edmonton’s depth was evident despite Hyman’s absence. McDavid had a goal and an assist, Draisaitl and Jake Walman each added two assists, and Stuart Skinner made 14 saves, becoming the second goaltender in NHL history with multiple series-clinching wins after losing his first three games of a postseason (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025). Mattias Ekholm, returning from a lower-body injury, contributed an assist and a plus-2 rating in 15:52. “We’re a different team,” Perry said, highlighting the Oilers’ maturity and lessons from last season’s Final loss (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025).
Coach Kris Knoblauch praised the team’s focus: “Our [mindset] hasn’t been just be the best team out of the West. We were thinking about the ultimate prize” (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025). The Oilers’ balanced attack, with 12 players recording points, and Skinner’s clutch goaltending underscored their evolution into a defensively sound, opportunistic squad.
The Oilers face a daunting challenge against the Panthers, who are also seeking their third straight Final appearance. Florida’s physicality and depth, led by Aleksander Barkov and Sergei Bobrovsky, tested Edmonton last year. “This is a mature group, they’ve seen a lot of playoff hockey,” Knoblauch said (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025). With McDavid’s playmaking, Perry’s veteran presence, and Skinner’s resilience, Edmonton aims to flip the script. For Dallas, a third consecutive conference final loss stings, but captain Jamie Benn vowed reflection: “We just didn’t get it done here” (Baird, NHL.com, May 29, 2025).
The Oilers’ 6-3 triumph in Game 5 showcased their depth, resilience, and star power, with Perry’s record-setting goal and McDavid’s milestone assist paving the way. As they prepare for a high-stakes rematch against the Panthers, Edmonton’s focus is clear: seize the ultimate prize. The Stanley Cup Final promises intense competition, with the Oilers determined to rewrite last season’s ending.
Source: article by Taylor Baird on nhl.com, published May 29, 2025.
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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer
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