Oilers look to close out Stars and advance to Stanley Cup rematch with Panthers
The Edmonton Oilers have the opportunity for another series-clinching Game 5 victory on the road, one that would send them to a Stanley Cup final rematch and again knock out the Dallas Stars.
Edmonton took a 3-1 series lead into Game 5 of the Western Conference final on Thursday night. The Oilers had won three games in a row while holding Dallas to only two goals since the Stars' five-goal third period for a 6-3 win in the series opener.
Defending Stanley Cup champion Florida is awaiting the Western Conference winner after closing out the east final with a 5-3 win at Carolina in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
The Panthers beat Edmonton for the Stanley Cup last June, when the Oilers overcame an 0-3 deficit to force a deciding Game 7.
The Oilers advanced to the Western Conference final this year after a 1-0 overtime win in Game 5 at Vegas to finish the second round. They beat Dallas in a six-game conference final last season.
Dallas is in the Western Conference final for the third year in a row, and is trying to avoid becoming the first team in more than three decades to do that without making it to a Stanley Cup final.
Under the playoff format adopted in 1994, four other teams have gotten to three consecutive conference finals, and all of them won at least one title during their runs.
Blueliner back in actionMattias Ekholm will return to the Edmonton Oilers lineup for Game 5 on Thursday night.
The top-pair defenceman suffered a lower-body injury March 26, missed seven contests and then returned for just three shifts on April 11 before again getting shut down.
Ekholm took part in the morning skate alongside usual partner Evan Bouchard at American Airlines Center.
The 35-year-old blueliner returns at a time when Edmonton is dealing with a massive loss up front. Grinding winger Zach Hyman, a staple on Connor McDavid's line and the playoff leader in hits this spring with 111, suffered an upper-body injury in Game 4 that required surgery.
Veteran forward and former 40-goal man Jeff Skinner will take his place on the roster and suit up for just the second post-season contest of a 15-season career.
The Stars will be playing their 100th game, their 18th in these playoffs after the 82-game regular season.
They have to win to extend their season, then would still need to win a Game 6 in Edmonton on Saturday night to set up a Game 7 at home Monday night.
Dallas coach Pete DeBoer is 9-0 in Game 7s, three of those with the Stars, including the first round against Colorado this season.
Puck drop for Game 5 is at 6 p.m. MT
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