Stars-Oilers takeaways: Stanley Cup Final rematch set as Edmonton advances

Thanks to the Edmonton Oilers' 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is officially set. It will be a rematch of last year's series between the Oilers and Florida Panthers. 

This is the 12th Stanley Cup Final rematch from the previous season in league history and only the fifth in the expansion era (since 1967). It is the first since the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings met in both the 2008 and 2009 playoffs. 

The series is set to begin on Wednesday, June 4 in Edmonton.  

It will also be another opportunity for Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid to capture his first championship, and with the way he is playing right now, it might be awfully difficult to bet against him. 

Here are some key takeaways from Edmonton's win on Thursday.

Dallas coach Pete DeBoer panicked and may have lost the series

Things started poorly for the Stars on Thursday with the Edmonton Oilers scoring two quick goals in the first eight minutes of the first period. That resulted in DeBoer calling a timeout, screaming at his team and then pulling his starting goalie — Jake Oettinger — in favor of backup Casey DeSmith. It was a stunning move given that Oettinger is by far the Stars' best goalie and best option, while neither goal was really all on him given the poor defensive breakdowns in front of him.

The move immediately backfired as DeSmith gave up a quick goal to Jeff Skinner and then allowed two more goals later in the game. Each of them came shortly after the Stars scored goals to get back into the game and build some momentum.

Would the result of Thursday's game been different if Oettinger stays in net? Would the series have changed? Maybe not. But not sticking with your guy in the biggest game of the season is the type of move that is going to get scrutinized a lot when you do not win. 

Connor McDavid does it again

This really might be his year. He is making a difference every game and was a huge difference-maker on Thursday with two more points, giving him a league-leading 26 points in the playoffs. He got things rolling on Thursday with an assist on their opening goal and then showed off his speed in the second period to give the Oilers a 4-2 lead.