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The NHL’s Western Conference finals matchup is set for 2025: The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are poised to square off to determine which club will represent the West in the Stanley Cup Final.

To help get you up to speed before the next round begins Wednesday on the networks of ESPN, we’re here with key intel from ESPN Research, wagering info from ESPN BET and more.


Paths to the conference finals:

Stars: Defeated Avalanche in seven, Jets in six
Oilers: Defeated Kings in six, Golden Knights in five

Schedule:

Game 1: Oilers at Stars | May 21, 8 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN+)
Game 2: Oilers at Stars | May 23, 8 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN+)
Game 3: Stars at Oilers | May 25, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Game 4: Stars at Oilers | May 27, 8 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN+)
Game 5: Oilers at Stars | May 29, 8 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN+)
Game 6: Stars at Oilers | May 31, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Game 7: Oilers at Stars | June 2, 8 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN+)

Series odds:

Oilers -120
Stars +100

Stanley Cup odds:

Oilers +250
Stars +350

Leading playoff scorers:

Stars: Mikko Rantanen (nine goals, 10 assists)
Oilers: Connor McDavid (three goals, 14 assists)


Matchup notes from ESPN Research

Oilers

The Oilers are the first Canadian team to make consecutive conference finals appearances since the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1993 and 1994. The only Canadian clubs to make consecutive appearances in the final four in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) are the Montreal Canadiens (three times), Oilers (three times) and Maple Leafs.

Edmonton advanced to the conference finals for a second straight year and for the third time in the past four postseasons, dating to 2022. The Oilers reached the conference finals in consecutive postseasons for the first time in 33 years, and fourth time in franchise history (1990-92; 1983-85; 1987-1988).

This is the 12th time in franchise history that the Oilers have reached the conference finals. The Oilers tied the Chicago Blackhawks for most final four appearances since Edmonton’s inaugural season in 1979-80.

Connor McDavid has 17 career points in 10 conference finals games, which ranks seventh in franchise history behind Wayne Gretzky (55), Mark Messier (55), Glenn Anderson (48), Jari Kurri (46), Paul Coffey (27) and Craig Simpson (18).

McDavid and Zach Hyman each have six career goals in the conference finals, which is tied with Dave Hunter for sixth in franchise history. Kurri (28), Messier (23), Anderson (21), Gretzky (14) and Simpson (11) are ahead of them.

Kris Knoblauch became the first head coach in 18 years — and seventh during the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) — to reach the final four in each of his first two seasons. He joined Bob Hartley (four from 1999 to 2002), Scotty Bowman (three from 1968 to ’70), Randy Carlyle (2006, 2007), Lindy Ruff (1998, 1999), Mike Milbury (1990, 1991) and Jean Perron (1986, 1987).

Stars

The Stars advance to their third straight conference finals. They join the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020-22, Chicago Blackhawks in 2013-15, Los Angeles Kings in 2012-14 and Detroit Red Wings from 2007-09 as the only teams in the salary cap era (since 2005-06) to make it to three straight conference finals.

Stars coach Peter DeBoer now is going to his eighth conference finals/Stanley Cup semifinals in his coaching career, which breaks a tie with Fred Shero for third among coaches in the expansion era (since 1967-68) and trailing only Scotty Bowman (16) and Al Arbour (11).

DeBoer is the fourth coach in the expansion era to reach the conference finals/Stanley Cup semifinals in each of their first three seasons with a team, joining Darryl Sutter with the Kings (2012-14), Bob Hartley with the Colorado Avalanche (1999-2001) and Scotty Bowman with the St. Louis Blues (1968-70).

The Stars won two of three games against the Oilers in the regular season, outscoring them 12-9. Jason Robertson (four goals, two assists) and Roope Hintz (goal, five assists) led the Stars with six points in those games.

Mikko Rantanen begins this series as the playoff leader in goals (nine) and points (19) through 13 games. That’s the most goals in a single postseason in his career, and he’s on pace to shatter his single-playoff points high of 25, set in the Avalanche’s 20-game run to the Cup in 2022.

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Hard-throwing rookie Misiorowski going to ASG

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Hard-throwing rookie Misiorowski going to ASG

Hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski is a National League All-Star replacement, giving the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander a chance to break Paul Skenes‘ record for the fewest big league appearances before playing in the Midsummer Classic.

Misiorowski was named Friday night to replace Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, who will be unavailable for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Atlanta because he is scheduled to start Saturday at the New York Yankees.

The 23-year-old Misiorowski has made just five starts for the Brewers, going 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA while averaging 99.3 mph on his fastball, with 89 pitches that have reached 100 mph.

If he pitches at Truist Park, Misiorowski will make it consecutive years for a player to set the mark for fewest big league games before an All-Star showing.

Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander getting ready for his second All-Star appearance, had made 11 starts in the majors when he was chosen as the NL starter for last year’s All-Star Game at Texas. He pitched a scoreless inning.

“I’m speechless,” said a teary-eyed Misiorowski, who said he was given the news a few minutes before the Brewers’ 8-3 victory over Washington. “It’s awesome. It’s very unexpected and it’s an honor.”

Misiorowski is the 30th first-time All-Star and 16th replacement this year. There are now 80 total All-Stars.

“He’s impressive. He’s got some of the best stuff in the game right now, even though he’s a young pitcher,” said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is a starting AL outfielder for his seventh All-Star nod. “He’s going to be a special pitcher in this game for a long time so I think he deserved it and it’s going be pretty cool for him and his family.”

Carlos Rodón, Carlos Estévez and Casey Mize were named replacement pitchers on the AL roster.

The New York Yankees‘ Rodón, an All-Star for the third time in five seasons, will replace teammate Max Fried for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta. Fried will be unavailable because he is scheduled to start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.

In his final start before the All-Star game, Rodón allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings in an 11-0 victory over the Cubs.

“This one’s a little special for me,” said Rodón, an All-Star in 2021 and ’22 who was 3-8 in his first season with the Yankees two years ago before rebounding. “I wasn’t good when I first got here, and I just wanted to prove that I wasn’t to going to give up and just put my best foot forward and try to win as many games as I can.”

The Kansas City Royals‘ Estévez replaces Texas’ Jacob deGrom, who is scheduled to start at Houston on Saturday night. Estévez was a 2023 All-Star when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.

Mize takes the spot held by Boston‘s Garrett Crochet, who is scheduled to start Saturday against Tampa Bay. Mize gives the Tigers six All-Stars, most of any team and tied for the franchise record.

Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia will replace Tampa Bay‘s Brandon Lowe, who went on the injured list with left oblique tightness. The additions of Estévez and Garcia give the Royals four All-Stars, matching their 2024 total.

The Seattle Mariners announced center fielder Julio Rodríguez will not participate, and he was replaced by teammate Randy Arozarena. Rodríguez had been voted onto the AL roster via the players’ ballot. The Mariners, who have five All-Stars, said Rodríguez will use the break to “recuperate, rest and prepare for the second half.”

Arozarena is an All-Star for the second time. He started in left field for the AL two years ago, when he was with Tampa Bay. Arozarena was the runner-up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 Home Run Derby.

Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a first-time All-Star, is replacing Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled to start Saturday night at Arizona. Rasmussen is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 18 starts.

San Diego added a third NL All-Star reliever in lefty Adrián Morejón, who replaces Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler. The Phillies’ right-hander is scheduled to start at San Diego on Saturday night. Morejón entered the weekend with a 1.71 ERA in 45 appearances.

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Twins SS Correa helped off with sprained ankle

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Twins SS Correa helped off with sprained ankle

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa had to be helped off the field after injuring his right ankle when Pittsburgh‘s Tommy Pham slid into him at second base.

Pham was trying to get to second on his liner off the wall in right field in the seventh inning of the Twins’ 2-1 victory Friday night. Right fielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr.’s throw beat Pham, whose batting helmet made contact with Correa’s lower leg.

Correa rolled over and stayed on the ground before leaving the game. Brooks Lee moved from second base to shortstop to replace Correa. The team said Correa had a mild ankle sprain.

Correa said X-rays were negative and that he expects to sit out Saturday’s game, adding that he “hopefully” can play on Sunday, according to MLB.com.

The 30-year-old Correa is already in his 11th big league season and has been a mainstay at shortstop for the Twins since signing as a free agent in 2022. He missed about half of last season with a concussion and a plantar fascia injury, the latter of which kept him from playing in the All-Star Game after he was chosen for the third time.

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Acuña replaced in HR Derby by teammate Olson

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Acuña replaced in HR Derby by teammate Olson

ATLANTA — Ronald Acuña Jr. won’t participate in the Home Run Derby, replaced Friday by Atlanta teammate and fellow All-Star Matt Olson.

Acuña is a starting outfielder for the National League and still is expected to play in the All-Star Game on his home field. Olson is a reserve infielder.

Instead of Acuña, Olson will try to become the first Atlanta player to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night. He could become the fourth to win at home. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night.

Olson competed in the 2021 Derby while with the Athletics. He was eliminated in the first round. The 31-year-old entered the weekend with 17 homers this season.

The other scheduled participants are Brent Rooker, the first for the Athletics since Olson, along with Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Yankees, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and James Wood of Washington.

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