NHL Playoffs: Oilers And Stars Look Much Different Than Last Year, But The Battle’s Still Close

As the 2025 NHL postseason unfolds, the Western Conference Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars stands out as a compelling matchup that reflects significant shifts in team rosters, strategies, and identities since their last encounter. While both teams have undergone notable transformations, the underlying rivalry remains intense, with the series poised to be a tight, high-stakes battle rooted in both familiarity and change.

### The Evolution of the Oilers: From Last Year’s Playoff Contenders to 2025’s Powerhouse

**Roster Overhaul and Strategic Adjustments**

Last year, the Edmonton Oilers entered the playoffs with a core built around their dynamic duo—Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl—supported by role players like Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and a solid but somewhat inconsistent defense corps. Their playoff run was marked by offensive fireworks, but also some defensive vulnerabilities that opponents exploited.

This offseason, Edmonton made a strategic push to bolster their depth and defensive resilience. They acquired veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm from Nashville, a move aimed at improving their shutdown capabilities and providing veteran leadership. They also added forward Evander Kane, whose playoff experience and scoring touch have been crucial. The team’s coaching staff, led by Jay Woodcroft, emphasized a more balanced approach—prioritizing defensive structure without sacrificing their offensive explosiveness.

**Key Player Changes and Development**

– **Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl:** Both remain the offensive engines, but McDavid has taken on additional responsibilities, including a more disciplined two-way game. His leadership and conditioning have been vital.

– **Secondary Scoring and Depth:** Players like Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins, and newly acquired Ekholm have stepped up in critical moments, providing secondary offense and stability.

– **Goaltending:** Stuart Skinner has emerged as a reliable playoff goalie, elevating his game from last year’s postseason. His improved positioning and mental toughness have been key.

**Tactical Shifts**

Edmonton has adopted a more structured defensive system, emphasizing tight gap control and disciplined penalty killing, which contrasts with last year’s more open, high-risk style. They still execute their potent transition game, leveraging McDavid and Draisaitl’s speed, but with a focus on limiting high-danger chances.

### The Stars: From Last Year’s Semi-Finalists to 2025’s Defensive Titans

**Roster Changes and Strategic Shifts**

The Dallas Stars also look considerably different from their last playoff run, where they fell short against a tough rival. Over the offseason, they prioritized defensive stability, veteran leadership, and adding grit. Key acquisitions include defenseman Ryan Suter and forward Max Domi, both of whom bring playoff experience and physicality.

Furthermore, Dallas’s coaching staff, led by Peter DeBoer, has refined their game plan to focus on a disciplined, suffocating defensive structure paired with opportunistic offense. They’ve leaned more on their depth defensemen and a shutdown style that aims to neutralize high-scoring teams like Edmonton.

**Key Player Developments**

– **Miro Heiskanen:** The star defenseman has developed into a Norris Trophy-caliber player, capable of shutting down top lines and initiating offense from the back end.

– **Goaltending:** Jake Oettinger has become one of the league’s top postseason performers, providing confidence at the net with his quick reflexes and composure.

– **Supporting Cast:** Role players like Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Jamie Benn have stepped up, providing secondary scoring and physicality.

**Tactical Approach**

Dallas’s game plan emphasizes tight gap control, physical forechecking, and minimizing turnovers. They have become less reliant on a high-risk, high-reward style and more on structured, disciplined hockey, with Oettinger’s elite goaltending covering their defensive lapses.

### Comparing Last Year’s Matchup to 2025

**Roster Changes and Impact**

While both teams have added key pieces and emphasized defense, the core of both franchises remains intact—McDavid and Draisaitl for Edmonton, Heiskanen and Robertson for Dallas. However, their tactical philosophies have shifted toward more balanced, structured play, reflecting growth and adaptation.

– Edmonton’s addition of Ekholm and a focus on defensive discipline contrasts with their more freewheeling, offense-first style last season. This change aims to make them more resilient in playoff tight games.

– Dallas’s emphasis on defensive structure and depth has made them a more formidable defensive team than last year, reducing their reliance on their offense to carry games.

**Series Dynamics**

Although the rosters and strategies have evolved, the series remains tightly contested. Last year, Edmonton’s explosive offense often overwhelmed opponents, but their defensive vulnerabilities were exploited. Dallas capitalized on turnovers and transition opportunities, showcasing their disciplined, physical style.

This year, Edmonton’s improved defense and goaltending have narrowed the gap, while Dallas’s commitment to structure and depth has made them tougher to beat. The game’s balance has shifted slightly toward a more defensive, low-scoring series, but the offensive talent of both teams still creates explosive moments.

### The Underlying Rivalry and Continued Competition

Despite roster changes, the rivalry remains fierce. Both teams understand each other’s tendencies intimately, and their playoff history adds extra motivation. Last year’s close series, which went deep into the playoffs, left lingering questions about matchups, adjustments, and mental resilience.

This year’s series promises to test both teams’ adaptability. Edmonton’s offensive stars will face a more disciplined Dallas defense, while Dallas’s physical, structured approach will challenge Edmonton’s creativity and speed.

### Key Matchups and Tactical Battles

– **McDavid vs. Heiskanen:** The battle between Edmonton’s dynamic captain and Dallas’s top defenseman is pivotal. McDavid’s speed and playmaking threaten to break through Dallas’s defensive schemes, but Heiskanen’s disciplined shutdown defense and physicality are designed to contain him.

– **Edmonton’s Defensive Discipline vs. Dallas’s Transition Game:** Edmonton’s structured back end aims to neutralize Dallas’s forechecking and transition, forcing them to play a more controlled game.

– **Special Teams:** Power plays and penalty kills could be decisive. Edmonton’s potent power play, led by McDavid and Draisaitl, will face Dallas’s disciplined penalty kill, which has improved significantly.

### The Series Outlook: Still Close, Still Competitive

While both teams have evolved, the fundamental matchup remains finely balanced. Edmonton’s offensive firepower remains elite, but their defensive improvements make them less vulnerable. Dallas’s disciplined, physical style and strong goaltending give them a chance to neutralize Edmonton’s offense.

Predicting this series is challenging, but the consensus is that it will go the distance. The team that executes best in tight situations, adapts to adjustments, and gets key saves from their goalies will likely prevail.

The Continuous Evolution of a Classic Rivalry

In conclusion, the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars exemplify how teams can change dramatically from one playoff cycle to the next—rosters, strategies, and identities all evolve. Yet, the core competitive spirit, the desire to win, and the intensity of their rivalry remain as fierce as ever. This series underscores the beauty of playoff hockey: that even with significant changes, the stakes are high, the rivalries run deep, and the battles are every bit as meaningful.

As the series unfolds, fans can expect a display of high skill, strategic chess matches, and moments of individual brilliance—proof that even as teams transform, the essence of playoff hockey endures. Whether it’s Edmonton’s relentless offense and newfound defensive resilience or Dallas’s disciplined, physical approach, the ongoing rivalry continues to captivate, offering a testament to the enduring competitive spirit of the NHL.