Edmonton Oilers 5 Keys to Winning the Western Conference Finals

Let the Oilers D Do Their Thing

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl get the lion's share of credit for the Oilers, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Evander Kane are often talked about as the supporting cast. But we have to start giving credit to the Oilers' defensive crew for continually turning the tide for Edmonton. 

Look no further than Game 7 against the Vancouver Canucks when Cody Ceci opened the scoring with a second-period blast. Evan Bouchard is leading defensemen in scoring again this postseason, tallying 20 points through the first 12 playoff games in 2024.

That's without considering the likes of Vincent Desharnais, Brett Kulak, Mattias Ekholm, or Darnell Nurse, all of whom have elevated the Oilers in some capacity. Without being too prescriptive, every one of the Oilers' rearguards is fulfilling a role. Keep riding that elite play to the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton.

Help Stuart Skinner Get His Mojo Back

Edmonton fans were reminded of an uncomfortable feeling against the Vancouver Canucks. Primary netminder Stuart Skinner was chased from the net following an 11-for-15 save effort in Game 3, yielding a disastrous 73.3% save percentage. Although Skinner returned to the crease at the end of the second-round series, the Oilers need to help their goalie stay calm, cool, and collected in his crease. 

The Oilers don't need reminding of just how bad things can get when Skinner isn't at his best. The Calder Trophy runner-up posted save percentages below 88.9% in six of his first eight starts this regular season, winning just one of those starts. Kris Knoblauch recognized this spiral early against Vancouver, yanking Skinner from the blue paint before things went sideways. 

Now, the challenge is to ensure Skinner is operating at an elite level on the biggest stage. Whether it's playing with more structure in the defensive end, clearing sight lines, or overloading one side of the ice to keep Stars' shooters on Skinner's glove side, the Oilers need to help Skinner be at his best.

Gas Up Connor McDavid

Every year, opponents' top priority is finding a way to limit Connor McDavid. We saw the Canucks experience some success in this regard, limiting the Oilers captain to one or fewer points in five of seven and pointless in three. Edmonton's best chance of advancing to their first Stanley Cup Final since 2006 comes from having McDavid at his best. 

It's hard to fault a guy with 21 points in 12 playoff games, but McDavid has been bottled up throughout the postseason. Still, points have come in bunches for the three-time Hart Trophy winner, with 12 coming in three games. More consistent efforts from McDavid will help Edmonton reach its ultimate goal.

Not surprisingly, the Oilers are 5-0 in the playoffs when McDavid records two or more points. If he can carve up the Stars' defense, there will be no stopping the Oilers from becoming the team of destiny.

Make Jake Oettinger Move

The Stars wouldn't be here if they didn't have it all. They play with solid defensive structure, have some of the best depth scoring in the NHL, and have gotten the most out of Jake Oettinger. Making Oettinger move laterally could be the key to finding the back of the net. 

Reflecting on Game 5 between Dallas and the Colorado Avalanche, four of the five Avs goals came when forcing Oettinger to move from side to side in his crease. Moreover, they came following extended zone time, exhausting the Stars' netminder. 

The Oilers would be wise to employ a similar strategy in the Western Conference Final.

Let the Oilers D Do Their Thing

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl get the lion's share of credit for the Oilers, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Evander Kane are often talked about as the supporting cast. But we have to start giving credit to the Oilers' defensive crew for continually turning the tide for Edmonton. 

Look no further than Game 7 against the Vancouver Canucks when Cody Ceci opened the scoring with a second-period blast. Evan Bouchard is leading defensemen in scoring again this postseason, tallying 20 points through the first 12 playoff games in 2024.

That's without considering the likes of Vincent Desharnais, Brett Kulak, Mattias Ekholm, or Darnell Nurse, all of whom have elevated the Oilers in some capacity. Without being too prescriptive, every one of the Oilers' rearguards is fulfilling a role. Keep riding that elite play to the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton.