Connor McDavid, Oilers Beat Stars as NHL Fans See Chance to Avenge Stanley Cup Loss

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers will get the chance to earn redemption after last year's Stanley Cup Final loss to the Florida Panthers.

The Oilers clinched the Western Conference on Thursday with a 6-3 Game 5 road win over the Dallas Stars.

The defending champion Panthers already clinched their own spot in the Final with Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

McDavid put up three goals and eight assists for 11 points in the 2024 Final to help the Oilers push the series to seven games, but was held scoreless in Edmonton's elimination loss.

Fans are expecting an even bigger performance from the 28-year-old now he has secured his shot at redemption.

Playing in front of a packed Dallas crowd didn't stop the Oilers from controlling play almost from the moment the puck dropped on Thursday night.

Corey Perry opened scoring, followed by a Mattias Janmark goal five minutes later that prompted the Stars to pull star netminder Jake Oettinger.

Jeff Skinner put the Oilers further ahead with the first playoff goal of his career just eight minutes into the first period.

Despite the early deficit, the Stars came within one shot of tying the game multiple times.

Goals from Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz allowed Dallas to cut the Oilers' lead to one in the second period.

McDavid answered with a breakaway goal late in the second before Robertson scored again to put the Oilers back on their heels early in the third.

Once again, it was the Oilers—with a bouncing puck off Evander Kane—that answered by padding the lead before the Stars could get a chance to even the score.

Kasperi Kapanen then iced the game with an empty-netter.

In addition to his game-winning goal, McDavid recorded the 100th playoff assist of his career during the win to become the second-fastest player after Wayne Gretzky to reach the milestone.

McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will now get the opportunity to avenge Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers for last season's Stanley Cup Final loss.

Game 1 of the Final is set to take place in Edmonton on Wednesday.