Oilers and Stars Set to Renew Playoff Hostilities
The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars will square off in the NHL’s Western Conference final, marking the first time these two teams have met in the playoffs in over 20 years. The Oilers advanced to the conference final after a hard-fought seven-game series against the Vancouver Canucks, while the Stars swept the Colorado Avalanche in six games.
This matchup between the Oilers and Stars is a renewal of a heated playoff rivalry that dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s. The two teams met six times in the playoffs between 1997 and 2003, with the Stars holding a 5-1 advantage. However, the Oilers won the first matchup in 1997, a dramatic series that saw Edmonton overcome a 3-0 deficit in Game 3 to win in overtime.
The Stars have been the more dominant team in recent meetings, winning the last four series between the two teams. However, the Oilers are hoping to change that this year, riding a wave of momentum after their victory over the Canucks. The Stars, on the other hand, are well-rested and have a lot of experience in the playoffs, having reached the Stanley Cup Final twice in the past decade.
The Western Conference final is sure to be a close and hard-fought series. The Oilers and Stars are two evenly matched teams with a lot of talent on both sides. The Oilers will be looking to upset the Stars and advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006, while the Stars will be looking to reach the Final for the third time in the past 10 years.
The series is set to begin on Thursday, June 16 in Edmonton. Game 2 will be played in Edmonton on Saturday, June 18. The series will then move to Dallas for Games 3 and 4 on Monday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 22. If necessary, Games 5, 6, and 7 will be played in Edmonton on Friday, June 24, Sunday, June 26, and Tuesday, June 28.
