A year ago when the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers met in the Stanley Cup Final, they were polar opposites in everything from climate, market and franchise history to deep-run experience and toughness.

Florida’s road has only been a touch tougher. The Panthers beat in-state rival Tampa Bay in five games before needing seven games to get by Toronto, winning the decisive game in Canada. Florida dropped the first two games to the Maple Leafs and trailed Game 3 by two goals, but stormed back in that series.

Oilers React to NHL’s Major Connor McDavid Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers are heading back to the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year after a 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 on Thursday night.

Enter Connor McDavid. He turned the tide for the Oilers on Thursday by scoring a scintillating goal that stood as the winner in a 6-3 victory to close out the Western Conference final in five games. It was pivotal in helping them eliminate the Stars at this stage for a second straight year and reach another Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.

The Athletic has live coverage of Oilers vs. Stars Game 5 from the 2025 NHL Western Conference Final. EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers are one win from returning to the Stanley Cup Final, a spot they’ve been targeting since their heartbreaking Game 7 loss a year ago.

It’s clear now the Edmonton Oilers must go with a “next man up” mentality after likely losing Zach Hyman for the rest of the playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers could be headed to the Stanley Cup Final. They need another win over the Dallas Stars. However, they’ll have do it without Zach Hyman, one of their most reliable playoff performers.