Oilers, Stars Begin Western Conference Finals Rematch in Dallas

The Western Conference Finals rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars is set to begin, with both teams showing improvements since last year. The Oilers rely heavily on stars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, but key contributions from other players, especially goalie Stuart Skinner, will be critical for their success. Skinner has shown resilience in the playoffs with two consecutive shutouts and must maintain steady play to give the Oilers an edge. On the Dallas side, Mikko Rantanen, the postseason's leading scorer, provides significant offensive firepower along with teammates Mikael Granlund, Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell, and Miro Heiskanen. Both teams have deeper rosters this year, with the Oilers boasting scoring from 16 different players, though McDavid and Draisaitl remain central to their success. Analysts emphasize the star power and depth of both teams, making the series highly anticipated and competitive.