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.