Series Talk: WCF: Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers (EDM Leads 3-2)

[SeanAveryTheGreatOne]

Who y'all got?!
​

Dallas Stars (1C) vs. Edmonton Oilers (2P)​

Western Conference Final

Game 1: Oilers at Stars -- May 23, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 2: Oilers at Stars -- May 25, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 3: Stars at Oilers -- May 27, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 4: Stars at Oilers -- May 29, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+ Game 5: Oilers at Stars -- May 31, TBD (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, TVAS)
+ Game 6: Stars at Oilers -- June 2, TBD (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, TVAS)
+ Game 7: Oilers at Stars -- June 4, TBD (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+ if necessary ​

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[CaptainUgly]

Oilers finally face a legit NHL goalie

Otter has been pretty subpar this year. Probably the only weakness Dallas has

 

[BaconNater]

Dallas has to be chuckling at their quality of opponents this round especially after the last 2

 

[bobholly39]

Took the words from my mouth. Dallas is likely the deepest team in the playoffs. The Oilers have the higher skill ceiling, but our depth doesn't match up well... Not to mention Skinner has looked shaky in his last 4 starts.

Hoping for a win, but won't be mad if Stars make it past us.

You should be mad if Stars make it past you. You guys have the 2 best players in the world (and Bouchard playing as the best defenseman in these playoffs). True that Dallas is an extremely strong and deep team - but this is as good as it's ever going to get for Oilers with this core. You have to find a way to win now, even if it means leaning too much on McDrai, because this might be the best chance you ever get.

It's a lot to ask of McDrai - but they need to continue scoring at the insane pace they have been. Dallas won't be able to win if McDavid or Drai are rifling off 3 or 4 points every game or two.

As for Skinner - no doubt he's going to have to play well. Or at least, not play bad, if Oilers are to win.

 

[Despote]

Dallas has to be chuckling at their quality of opponents this round especially after the last 2

I sincerely hope they are, but I doubt NHL players are actually dumb enough to overlook any team in the frigging conference finals.

 

[bobholly39]

Dallas has to be chuckling at their quality of opponents this round especially after the last 2

People are too dismissive of Oilers. Since their coaching change this year, they are:

#1 in ponits
#1 in wins
#2 in goals for (3 behind Colorado)
#6 in goals against
#3 in power play
#7 in the PK
#3 in faceoffs (I know, not the most important metric, but it was there so I thought I'd list it)

They've legitimately been the best team in the league since the new coaching change.

They also have the two best players in the league in McDavid + Draisaitl. And Bouchard has been phenomenal too in the playoffs.

 

[Stealth JD]

I mean Dallas has the advantage in offense, defense, goaltending, and coaching, so I think they'll win.

What about special teams?
Huge advantage to EDM there…if it’s a ref-fest this series could turn in the Oilers favor quickly.

 

[Three On Zero]

What about special teams?
Huge advantage to EDM there…if it’s a ref-fest this series could turn in the Oilers favor quickly.

Depends, special teams was pretty bad near the end of the Vancouver series. Dallas is rested, they need to go hard physically

 

[ijuka]

Oilers top 2 lines should be better, while Stars bottom 2 lines are far better, especially the 3rd line.

For defensemen, Oilers first pairing is better while Stars have significantly better bottom 4.

For power play, Oilers are better. For penalty kill, Stars are better.

For goalies, Stars are significantly better.


Overall, this looks like a "depth vs high-end"-kinda matchup.

 

[dalewood12]

Stars in 6. Dallas is a deeper team, simple as that.

 

[Fulmination]

From my limited viewings, Dallas might be the deepest team in the NHL. They can quite literally roll 4 lines and three pairings and they are fine. Not to mention Otter is a beast. They wore down the Avalanche with just wave after wave with each line. I'm honestly impressed by them.

If the Stars are healthy, I think they take this in 5.

Dallas also has been rolling 5 D most of the playoffs and last of the regular season.

When hakannpaa comes back the D will be fire

 

[AD1066]

Dallas in 6. Edmonton had the easiest path so far. Probably a top 8 team, but not top 4.

 

[Idiot Stick]

dallas in 3 and thats being generous
Oilers barely beat a canucks team with their 3rd string goalie and their best goal scorer out the last game

 

[MessierII]

Oilers top 2 lines should be better, while Stars bottom 2 lines are far better, especially the 3rd line.

For defensemen, Oilers first pairing is better while Stars have significantly better bottom 4.

For power play, Oilers are better. For penalty kill, Stars are better.

For goalies, Stars are significantly better.


Overall, this looks like a "depth vs high-end"-kinda matchup.

What makes Dallas PK better?

 

[Coffey]

dallas in 3 and thats being generous
Oilers barely beat a canucks team with their 3rd string goalie and their best goal scorer out the last game

But they also blew them out when their best goal scorer was playing. Soooo

 

[Shane Diesel]

Dallas sweep. Oilers about to get thrashed like they did in 2022.

 

[Elysian]

Dallas also has been rolling 5 D most of the playoffs and last of the regular season.

When hakannpaa comes back the D will be fire

Doubt Hakanpaa is coming back. Hes still not even skating with the team, been "day to day" for like 68 days.

 

[JKG33]

The Oilers are 2-12 the last 3 years when they have to play teams that are a contender in the playoffs. I don't see that changing here.

 

[Shane Diesel]

The Oilers are 2-12 the last 3 years when they have to play teams that are a contender in the playoffs. I don't see that changing here.

If Vegas is down the Pacific is truly the remedial class of the NHL.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Congrats to the Stars for getting to the Finals.

Stars in 4 or 5.

 

[oconnor9sean]

What about special teams?
Huge advantage to EDM there…if it’s a ref-fest this series could turn in the Oilers favor quickly.

Huge?

Dallas had a better PK this season and was 6th in PP compared to Edmonton's 4th.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Edmonton winning one game would be a victory. Because two sweeps within three years won't look good on McDrai's resume.

And yes I realize it's a team sport. But fairly or unfairly, they will be criticized if they go out with a whimper.

 

[Fulmination]

Doubt Hakanpaa is coming back. Hes still not even skating with the team, been "day to day" for like 68 days.

Oh man. Honestly heard day to day last week so thought he was close.

Wishful thinking on my part

 

[Nikki Potnick]

Dallas the advantage in offense? If we look at top scorers:

Dallas:
13
12
11
8
8

Oilers:
24
21
20
16
13

Interesting.

It's almost as if quality of opponent matters. Crazy thought I know!

 

[oconnor9sean]

Dallas the advantage in offense? If we look at top scorers:

Dallas:
13
12
11
8
8

Oilers:
24
21
20
16
13

Interesting.

Are we really comparing 13 games vs Vegas & Colorado with 12 games vs Los Angeles and the Demko-less Canucks?

 

[Dr Pepper]

Oh man. Honestly heard day to day last week so thought he was close.

Wishful thinking on my part

Yeah, Dallas has been pretty liberal with that designation for a while now.

During the season I think they had Oettinger labeled as "day to day" while being out for 2-3 weeks.

Are we really comparing 13 games vs Vegas & Colorado with 12 games vs Los Angeles and the Demko-less Canucks?

C'mon now, don't bring logic into it. Makes it less fun for them.