DALLAS — The Dallas Stars are just one step away from making their sixth trip to the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history.
But, when you consider the opponent, it might be more like a quantum leap. The Oilers are talented, explosive and lethal for opponents, who often can’t survive their scoring outbursts.
The Stars will counter with a deeper team that’s better both defensively and in net.
It’s a clash of styles -- with a big-time prize awaiting the winner.
Here are three things to keep an eye on as we head into Game 1 of the Western Conference Final.
1. Top-line talent
The Stars and Oilers both bring a ton of talent into this Western Conference Final matchup.
But there’s no doubt: Edmonton has the edge in terms of top-of-the-line talent. The Oilers' Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are absolute forces on the ice. For proof, all you have to do is look at all-time NHL playoff scoring. They’re both in the top four in points per game -- yes, in NHL history.
To drive home the point, here’s the list:
- Wayne Gretzky 1.83 ppg
- Leon Draisaitl 1.66 ppg
- Mario Lemieux 1.60 ppg
- Connor McDavid 1.57 ppg
On the other hand, the Stars defense played great against the high-scoring Colorado Avalanche, especially in Colorado.
In three-plus games there, they gave up just three goals, keeping Nathan McKinnon and Cale Makar from wrecking the series. That matchup should serve as a good warm-up for the offensive firepower the Oilers will put on the ice.
2. Veterans vying for their first Cup
Stars captain Jamie Benn, forward Joe Pavelski and defenseman Ryan Suter are three of the longest-tenured NHL veterans to have never won a Stanley Cup. And they’re not alone in that regard on the Stars bench.
Head Coach Pete DeBoer has achieved tons of playoff success, both with the Stars and other clubs. And he’s led the Stars to back-to-back Western Conference Final appearances. In fact, this is his seventh conference final in nine playoff appearances.
But he’s yet to win his sports’ ultimate prize.
3. Jake Oettinger
You can’t preview a series without covering who’s playing in net.
Stars netminder Jake Oettinger will be put to the test in this series. That comes with the dinner when facing a team as explosive as Edmonton, which led by the world’s best player in Connor McDavid.
Now, Oettinger struggled some in the regular season, posting the lowest save percentage in his young career. But he's bounced back in the playoffs -- and was dominant against Colorado, as alluded to earlier.
Oettinger will have to realize, at times, that it won’t feel like he’s got much help. The Oilers are just that good, especially on the power play; they’re cashing in a league-high 37% of the time in the first two rounds of the postseason.
That means there will be times when it’s just Oettinger versus a shooter with no help. And he’ll have to be up to the task.
Oettinger should give Dallas the edge in goaltending, though. Stuart Skinner is considered a talented goalie, but he’s struggled to the point where Edmonton went with backup Calvin Pickard in Games 4 and 5 in the Oilers second-round series win over Vancouver.
Injury Update
Stars front-line center Roope Hintz will still be out of the lineup for the Western Conference Final opener against Edmonton. Meanwhile, the Oilers will still be without forward Adam Henrique on Thursday night.
Coach Pete DeBoer says Hinyz could return for Game 2.
On the other side, Henrique will miss his sixth consecutive game because of an ankle injury. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch still expects Henrique to play early in this series, though.
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