The Dallas Stars enter the 2025 Western Conference Final poised and prepared, determined to exact revenge on the Edmonton Oilers for last year’s six-game series defeat at this same stage, and they look every bit the part of a mature, complete team built for playoff success. Under the guidance of head coach Peter DeBoer, Dallas has emerged as one of the NHL’s most balanced and structurally disciplined squads, boasting depth, experience, and star power at every position. Their playoff run has been marked by consistency and poise, as they overcame the Winnipeg Jets with strong defensive play, timely scoring, and outstanding goaltending. At the forefront of their attack is Jason Robertson, who continues to establish himself as one of the league’s premier wingers, highlighted by a hat trick in the Stars’ most recent regular season win over the Oilers. Alongside him, Roope Hintz brings elite skating, two-way intelligence, and scoring touch, while veterans Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn provide leadership, grit, and the ability to rise in key moments. The Stars’ strength lies in their ability to roll four effective lines, each capable of generating offense while maintaining defensive responsibility, making it difficult for opposing coaches to find favorable matchups. On the back end, Miro Heiskanen continues to shine as a top-tier defenseman, capable of shutting down elite forwards while transitioning the puck quickly to fuel the offense.

Esa Lindell and Thomas Harley complement the blue line with smart, positionally sound play that frustrates opponents and limits high-danger opportunities. Between the pipes, Jake Oettinger has been a steady presence, posting a .912 save percentage in the playoffs and coming up with crucial saves when the Stars need him most. His calm demeanor and ability to track the puck through traffic make him a dependable last line of defense against a potent Oilers offense. Special teams will be a critical component of this series, and the Stars have excelled with a power play that punishes undisciplined teams and a penalty kill that consistently disrupts even the best setups. While their 35-44 ATS record reflects some inconsistencies in covering the spread, particularly in high-total games, their 34-11-3 home record this season speaks volumes about their comfort and control at American Airlines Center. The Stars thrive off their home crowd’s energy and often come out strong in the first period, using quick transitions and puck possession to tilt the ice early. Their ability to clog the neutral zone and force turnovers is key against a fast Oilers squad that thrives on pace and space. To succeed in this rematch, Dallas will need to play to its strengths: manage puck possession, limit mistakes in the defensive zone, and capitalize on Edmonton’s occasional lapses in coverage. If they can contain McDavid and Draisaitl by limiting time and space and force the Oilers into extended defensive zone shifts, the Stars will put themselves in position to control the tempo and seize early momentum in the series. With home ice, elite goaltending, and a burning desire to reverse last year’s outcome, the Dallas Stars are fully equipped to battle their way back to the Stanley Cup Final.