The Edmonton Oilers are back in the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year after defeating the Dallas Stars 6-3 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. This victory capped a stellar playoff run, with the Oilers holding a 12-2 record. A pivotal factor in their success has been goaltender Stuart Skinner, who has stepped up significantly after initial struggles. With three shutouts and a .904 save percentage in the playoffs, he has solidified his place in net.

Earlier in the season, there were speculations about the Oilers possibly trading for Boston Bruins' Jeremy Swayman, who has had a less-than-stellar year compared to his previous seasons. Despite signing a long-term contract, interest from the Oilers highlighted the weight of Skinner's early criticism. Ultimately, sticking with Skinner has proven to be the right choice as they prepare to face the Florida Panthers in the finals.

The United States men's hockey team has clinched the IIHF World Championship for the first time since 1933, defeating Switzerland 1-0 in an exhilarating overtime match. The victory took place at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, where the Americans faced a tough Swiss defense and goalie Leonardo Genoni, who held them scoreless through regulation despite the U.S. outshooting them significantly.

Buffalo Sabres' Tage Thompson emerged as the hero, scoring the game-winning goal just two minutes into overtime, assisted by Logan Cooley and Brady Skjei. Meanwhile, USA goalie Jeremy Swayman delivered a stellar performance, stopping all 25 shots to secure a shutout. The win not only ends a nearly 90-year championship drought but also marks a significant momentum shift ahead of the upcoming Winter Olympics.

The Boston Bruins faced a tumultuous season, missing the playoffs amid significant organizational strife. General Manager Don Sweeney's extension for two more seasons has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some praising his track record of success and others questioning recent decisions. The team is now navigating an offseason filled with uncertainty, including the need for a new head coach and potential roster changes. Sweeney aims to retool rather than rebuild, positioning the Bruins for a comeback as they face growing competition from other teams in the league.