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Are Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup bound? Former NHLer weighs in

Former NHL winger Riley Cote explains what he loves about this Edmonton Oilers team ahead of the Western Conference Finals.

Sports Seriously

The Edmonton Oilers are one victory away from setting up a rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

The Oilers, up 3-1 in the Western Conference finals, visit the Dallas Stars on Thursday night for Game 5. The winner of the best-of-seven series will face the Florida Panthers, who secured a third consecutive berth in the championship round with Wednesday’s 5-3 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Panthers beat the Oilers in seven games in last year’s final.

If the Oilers win Thursday, the final will start on Wednesday, June 4. If Dallas forces a Game 6, the series will start on Saturday, June 7.

The Stars have never won a series they trailed 3-1. They did force a Game 7 once. The Oilers have blown a 3-1 series lead once.

Here’s what to know about Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars, including how to watch:

What time is Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 5?

Game 5 of the Stars-Oilers series is Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. ET in Dallas.

How to watch Stars vs. Oilers NHL playoff game: TV, streamTime: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. localLocation: American Airlines Center (Dallas)TV: ESPNStream: ESPN+, Fubo

This will be the Oilers’ first full game without forward Zach Hyman, who was injured in Game 4 on a Mason Marchment check. He had surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the playoffs.

Hyman scored 70 goals last season between the regular season and the playoffs. This season, he has 11 points in 15 playoff games and a league-leading 111 hits in the postseason, nearly 30 more than the next player.

“He’s not going to be replaced but hopefully everyone can step up a little bit, a few more hits from everyone else throughout the lineup,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “Hopefully somebody is going to come up with an important goal.”

Veteran Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm will return from an injury for Game 5. He last played on April 11.

Ekholm, 34, had 33 points in 65 games this season while averaging 22 minutes a game.

“For him to come back and feeling great, it’s a great addition to our team,” said Knoblauch, who expects to go with 12 forwards and six defensemen in the game.

Western Conference final schedule

Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1Game 5: Thursday, May 29, Edmonton at Dallas, 8, ESPNx-Game 6: Saturday, May 31, Dallas at Edmonton, 8, ABCx-Game 7: Monday, June 2, Edmonton at Dallas, 8, ESPN

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