Why these Oilers are different — and better — heading into rematch with the Stars

The Edmonton Oilers are about to play in their third such series in four years. Their opponent, the Dallas Stars, are in the final four for the third consecutive postseason. Of course, this clash is also a rematch of last year’s six-game series win by the Oilers.

“We know that they want revenge, just like we did with Vegas,” said defenceman Mattias Ekholm, who the Oilers hope will make a mid-series return from a lower-body injury. “We know that they want to get us back, but we’re going to be prepared to not let that happen.”

That victory, along with the Stars losing the WCF series to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, has the Oilers particularly cognizant of the tough task at hand.

“They’ve built that thing for a long time, and they’ve been right on that edge,” Oilers centre Adam Henrique said. “(Longtime NHLer) Joe Thornton talked about it that you can be on all these great teams and have these runs, but there’s always a handful of teams that seem to be in that similar window at similar times that you run into over and over, year after year. Small margins make a big difference whether you win or lose.

“They’ve been right there. They have a great team.”

The Stars enter the series with more firepower and depth than they had in last year’s series.

Trade deadline acquisition Mikko Rantanen has been an offensive force. Not only does he lead the NHL playoffs in scoring, his 19 points in 13 games are three more than teammates Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen racked up in 19 contests a year ago. Rantanen might be the Conn Smythe Trophy favourite through two rounds.

Whether you consider Rantanen’s inclusion in the Stars to be a replacement for the twilight of Joe Pavelski’s career or the nascent stages of Logan Stankoven’s, there’s no doubt the Stars have made a discernible upgrade. They might be stronger on the back end, too. Heiskanen returned from a knee injury midway through last round, Thomas Harley has matured into a No. 1 defenceman and Cody Ceci is providing quality minutes and a better option than Ryan Suter.

But the Oilers are just fine in their own right. They’ve won eight of their last nine games heading into the rematch.

“Everybody in here knows it’s go time,” Henrique said. “After the first two games in L.A., we found our game and how we want to play and just got on a roll from there. This group just has a calm confidence in here that we can play with anybody.”

By the numbers, here’s what’s different (and a little similar) heading into this year’s matchup – and why the Oilers might even be better-situated.

The Oilers have long been known for their dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. In 2024, they were joined by Evan Bouchard, forming a trio of 20+ point scorers in the playoffs—a first in NHL history. This season, Bouchard continues to be a pivotal contributor, while the team has added depth through acquisitions like Corey Perry, Adam Henrique, and Sam Carrick. These additions have bolstered the Oilers’ offensive lineup, making them a more formidable opponent.
Under head coach Kris Knoblauch, who took over in November 2024, the Oilers have transformed into a more defensively responsible team. This shift was evident in their second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks, where they demonstrated improved defensive play. The addition of veteran defensemen and a renewed focus on defensive systems have made the Oilers a more balanced team, capable of competing with the Stars’ strong defensive lineup.

Goaltending: Stuart Skinner’s Redemption Arc
Goaltending has been a point of contention for the Oilers in previous seasons. In 2024, Stuart Skinner stepped up in Games 6 and 7 of the Western Conference Final, delivering a solid performance that helped the Oilers advance. This season, Skinner has shown consistency and growth, providing the Oilers with the stability they need between the pipes. His performance will be crucial in the upcoming series against the Stars.
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Special Teams: Dominance on Both Ends
The Oilers’ special teams have been exceptional in the playoffs. They boast a 93.9% penalty kill rate, including a franchise-record streak of 28 consecutive successful kills. Their power play is equally impressive, operating at 37.3%. This efficiency on special teams has been a significant factor in their playoff success and will be vital in the rematch against the Stars.
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Coaching: Kris Knoblauch’s Impact
Since taking over as head coach, Kris Knoblauch has instilled a more disciplined and structured approach in the Oilers’ play. His emphasis on defensive responsibility and balanced line deployments has transformed the team into a more complete unit. This coaching change has been instrumental in the Oilers’ deep playoff run and could give them the edge in the upcoming series.
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Outlook: A More Complete Team
While the Dallas Stars remain a formidable opponent with their strong defensive core and goaltender Jake Oettinger, the Oilers’ improvements across all facets of the game make them a more complete team this season. Their enhanced offensive depth, solidified defense, and exceptional special teams provide them with the tools needed to succeed in the rematch. If they continue to play with the cohesion and intensity they’ve shown thus far, the Oilers have a strong chance of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final once again.