NHL Power Rankings: Each team’s reason for hope in 2024
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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
The battle atop the Power Rankings continues again this week, with the New York Rangers ousted by the Boston Bruins.
Beyond the rankings, this week we have identified a reason for hope for all 32 NHL fan bases — whether it’s a current player or group, or perhaps a savior to arrive via the 2024 draft.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors each send in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Dec. 22. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.27%
Next seven days: vs. TB (Jan. 6), @ COL (Jan. 8), @ ARI (Jan. 9), @ VGK (Jan. 11)
Boston has the sort of depth every NHL team wished for this Christmas. In 2024, the Bruins are hopefully going to keep making the most of it. Head coach Jim Montgomery loves adjusting his lineup based on Boston’s matchups, and with skaters like Jakub Lauko and Oskar Steen ready to step in, this gives the Bruins an advantage beyond what their top players (see: David Pastrnak & Co.) bring every night.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.62%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Jan. 6), vs. VAN (Jan. 8), @ STL (Jan. 11)
The Rangers will be hard-pressed to top their excellent play in 2023, but they can hope to sustain it. Backup netminder Jonathan Quick performing like the Jonathan Quick of old has been perhaps the Rangers’ greatest surprise (and asset) of the season, and the potential of having both Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil back healthy at some point will only strengthen New York’s case as a genuine Cup contender deep into the new year.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 67.11%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Jan. 6), @ NYR (Jan. 8), @ NYI (Jan. 9), @ PIT (Jan. 11)
The Canucks have had a captivating season to date and hopes are understandably high for 2024 based on past performance. They lead the NHL in goals per game this season, have a Vezina Trophy-worthy goaltender in Thatcher Demko, a fired-up J.T. Miller leading the charge offensively and Quinn Hughes on track for a Norris Trophy. There’s no limit to where Vancouver could wind up this season.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 67.95%
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Jan. 6), vs. BOS (Jan. 8), vs. VGK (Jan. 10)
Colorado has some stupendous top-end offensive producers like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar. What the Avalanche need is more secondary scorers. The return of Artturi Lehkonen — who’s been sidelined with a neck injury since early November — will be a huge boost to Colorado’s depth and advance the Avalanche attack.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 70.27%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Jan. 5), @ ARI (Jan. 7), vs. CBJ (Jan. 9), vs. CHI (Jan. 11)
The Jets wrapped up 2023 on a heater that included defeating some of the NHL’s top teams — some more than once! Their hopes in 2024 hinge upon more of the same. Winnipeg is already one of the league’s stingiest teams defensively and the better Connor Hellebuyck performs in net, coupled with the Jets’ surging third and fourth contributions, puts Winnipeg on a path to many more positive outcomes.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 66.22%
Next seven days: vs. NSH (Jan. 6), @ MIN (Jan. 8), vs. MIN (Jan. 10)
Dallas might have been adrift when starting goalie Jake Oettinger was hurt — until Scott Wedgewood answered the bell. He’s given the Stars hope that not only will they continue to lead the Central Division while Oettinger recovers, but that Dallas won’t need to rush its No. 1 back, either. It’s a best-case scenario the Stars have to be loving as they resolve for an even brighter new year.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 65.71%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Jan. 7), @ TB (Jan. 9), @ FLA (Jan. 11)
The Kings already have everything — from offense to defense to goaltending — dialed in. So just how much better will 2024 be when Viktor Arvidsson (yet to play in a game this season following back surgery) enters the chat? He’s been a strong, consistent contributor for the Kings in the past, and the hope is he will be again to level L.A. up even further.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 65.79%
Next seven days: @ COL (Jan. 6), @ STL (Jan. 9), vs. LA (Jan. 11)
Florida might be the best team no one talks about enough — and that should all change in 2024 given how the Panthers are trending. They entered the new year on a four-game heater fueled by a red-hot Sam Reinhart (23 goals in 36 games), suddenly surging power play (with five goals in four games) and a top quality goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky. The hope for Florida is they can stay this balanced while everyone else starts to take notice.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 62.82%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Jan. 6), @ COL (Jan. 10), vs. BOS (Jan. 11)
The Knights going through a recent — and rather uncharacteristic — slump could be a good thing for what’s to come in 2024. This group has stayed mostly healthy but appeared fatigued; something a turn of the calendar (and a frustrating shutout Winter Classic loss) can possibly help to cure. Vegas always finds a resiliency to surprise us all; why should this new year be any different?
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 62.50%
Next seven days: @ SJ (Jan. 6), vs. SJ (Jan. 9), @ NYI (Jan. 11)
The Leafs finally made the change it needed in net by waiving Ilya Samsonov and putting their full faith in Martin Jones to carry the load until Joseph Woll can return. The hope is with a stable No. 1 netminder the Leafs see better results from their defensive efforts in 2024 and quit squandering an advantage like boasting the league’s goal-scoring leader, Auston Matthews.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 60.53%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Jan. 5), vs. STL (Jan. 6), vs. ANA (Jan. 11)
Carolina has been through the ringer with their goaltending situation this season (Antti Raanta struggled; Frederik Andersen is out indefinitely due to a blood clot issue) and it’s been on rookie Pyotr Kochetkov to man the crease. Well, the Hurricanes are entering 2024 with a goalie on the rise as Kochetkov went 5-1-1 to close out last year and looks well positioned to keep building on that success as a true difference-maker.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 60.53%
Next seven days: @ VGK (Jan. 6), vs. VAN (Jan. 9), vs. TOR (Jan. 11)
The Islanders are a constant enigma — this season is no different in that respect — yet they have plenty of high hopes for 2024 based on the consistency of their top-tier players. Ilya Sorokin? Still one of the league’s best goalies. Mathew Barzal? Quieting the naysayers as a first-line star beside Bo Horvat. Special teams? On the rise. New York is impossible to pigeonhole, and there’s abounding hope in the Islanders reaching their full potential by spring.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Jan. 5), vs. VAN (Jan .6), @ TB (Jan. 11)
New Jersey has Jack Hughes. When that’s the case, there’s no reason not to feel hopeful about what the new year will bring. Hughes is averaging nearly 1.50 points per game to power the Devils offense and can be a one-man wrecking ball as needed when skaters like Timo Meier are sidelined by injury. If New Jersey is to make the most of 2024, it’ll be with Hughes at the forefront.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Jan. 5), vs. LA (Jan. 7), vs. SEA (Jan. 11)
Washington was hit by an injury bug late in 2023 that should hopefully resolve itself by early 2024. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren is doing better than expected in his recovery and Max Pacioretty (torn Achilles tendon) making his debut this week was a massive boost for the Capitals’ offense given other missing players. The healthier Washington gets, the more hope there is for a happy new year.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 55.71%
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Jan. 6), @ CHI (Jan. 9), @ DET (Jan. 11)
The Oilers have truly turned their season around since replacing former coach Jay Woodcroft in early November. Their hopeful resolution in 2024 is to not let their momentum slide. Calvin Pickard has hopped in as a steady backup for a revamped Stuart Skinner in net, and Connor McDavid has registered a point in all but three games since coach Kris Knoblauch took over. There’s hope yet for Edmonton to be a true contender this spring.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 57.89%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Jan. 6), vs. PIT (Jan. 8), vs. MTL (Jan. 10)
Philadelphia is already right in the middle of this season’s playoff race — and frankly, who saw that coming? The Flyers’ hopes of staying there well into 2024 revolve around a continued buy-in to coach John Tortorella’s system, and the high-level contributions from some of the team’s youngest skaters, including Tyson Foerster and Cam York. There’s good reason to believe Philadelphia can stay in play for a postseason slot.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 54.05%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Jan. 7), vs. BOS (Jan. 9), vs. CGY (Jan. 11)
Arizona is a scrappy bunch that hasn’t received enough credit for their gumption — or how well they performed overall in 2023. Connor Ingram ranks among the league’s top netminders behind a forward group benefitting from consistent performances by Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse. Arizona is surprisingly deep and decidedly confident; did you see the four-goal comeback against Colorado? There’s reasonable hope in the desert for 2024 to include a playoff return for these Coyotes.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.13%
Next seven days: @ DAL (Jan. 6), vs. ANA (Jan. 9)
The Predators needed some positivity to end 2023 and got in the form of 21-year-old goaltender Yaroslav Askarov earning his first NHL win. That’s a big deal for the Predators’ hopes going into 2024 — and beyond. Askarov was Nashville’s first-round pick (11th overall) in 2020; to see him succeed early on is a shot in the arm for the entire Predators’ squad. And, maybe, their winning prospects over the next few months.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 53.75%
Next seven days: @ BOS (Jan. 6), vs. LA (Jan. 9), vs. NJ (Jan. 11)
Tampa Bay entered 2024 with the league leader in points — that would be Nikita Kucherov — tearing his way through opposing teams’ defense in a way the Lightning must hope will continue well into this season’s second half. And if the Lightning want to get real greedy, they’ll resolve to have Kucherov’s success be a rallying cry for steadier contributions from the club’s bottom-six forwards, too.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 56.76%
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Jan. 6), @ PHI (Jan. 8), vs. VAN (Jan. 11)
Pittsburgh has been reinventing itself recently — and that’s a good thing for 2024. The Penguins have talent to spare but what they’re establishing now is a new identity centered around more than just trying to beat teams off the rush. Pittsburgh’s gone grittier, meaner and more physically imposing. The hope is that shift keeps translating into victories.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 53.85%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Jan. 7), vs. EDM (Jan. 11)
The Red Wings gave up more goals per game in December than any team in the league. That makes their hopeful resolution for 2024 rather apparent: Stop doing that. Fortunately for the Red Wings, they are perfectly capable of righting the ship. A midseason slump is better than one in early spring, and if Detroit got that slip out of their system, then improved play by their goaltenders and a recommitment to the defensive side of the game will put the Wings back on their previous winning trajectory.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 52.56%
Next seven days: @ BUF (Jan. 9), @ WSH (Jan. 11)
Seattle set the tone for 2024 with a resounding 3-0 win over Vegas in the Winter Classic to mark a first-ever shutout victory (courtesy of Joey Daccord) at the league’s annual outdoor showcase. And the Kraken show no signs of cooling off their nine-game point streak. What Seattle lacks in flash it makes up for in work ethic (and strong goaltending from Daccord) that can carry the Kraken up those Pacific Division standings from here.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 51.32%
Next seven days: @ PHI (Jan. 6), @ CHI (Jan. 7), vs. OTT (Jan. 9), @ ARI (Jan. 11)
Calgary has struggled all season to find chemistry up front, but it looks like first-year coach Ryan Huska has finally found some winning combinations for 2024. Top center Nazem Kadri is excelling with Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil, Blake Coleman and Mikael Backlund seem to be in a groove and Elias Lindholm has settled into a rhythm with Yegor Sharangovich. If the Flames can keep stoking those fires into the new year, maybe the energy will eventually reach slumping star Jonathan Huberdeau.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.70%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Jan. 6), vs. FLA (Jan. 9), vs. NYR (Jan. 11)
The Blues shuffled things up behind the bench, saying goodbye to Craig Berube and installing Drew Bannister. He, in turn, moved the Blues forwards around in late 2023 and found some chemistry that hopefully grows stronger in 2024. St. Louis’ top line has been especially potent, and Jake Neighbours is making an impact in a second-line spot. New coach, new year … what else is in store for the Blues?
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 48.65%
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Jan. 6), vs. DAL (Jan. 8), @ DAL (Jan. 10)
Minnesota got off to a rough start in 2024 when six players, including Jared Spurgeon, Filip Gustavsson and Kirill Kaprizov were moved to injured reserve. But here’s hoping that adversity is what bonds the Wild together. Minnesota was turning a corner in December with their punishing style of play and there’s no reason the Wild can’t challenge one another to step up and stay focused while their netminder, top defenseman and top forward heal for the season’s stretch run.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.15%
Next seven days: @ PIT (Jan. 6), vs. SEA (Jan. 9), vs. OTT (Jan. 11)
The Sabres are brimming with talent … that they simply didn’t get enough out of in 2023. The hope is that 2024 is when that will change. Jack Quinn is finally back — and producing — following an Achilles tendon injury, and there’s truly nowhere to go but up for Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Alex Tuch from here.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 48.68%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Jan. 6), @ PHI (Jan. 10), vs. SJ (Jan. 11)
Montreal is sticking to the plan laid out of by GM Kent Hughes that could (eventually) deliver results. It’s the Canadiens’ hope that their continued patience in developing the club’s top skaters and learning from setbacks (like how poor the penalty kill has been of late) will pay dividends at some point in 2024, and for Montreal to be a long-term contender down the road.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 42.50%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Jan. 6), @ WPG (Jan. 9)
Columbus selected Adam Fantilli at No. 3 overall in last year’s draft, and the hope is for 2024 to be a real proving ground for the Blue Jackets’ new top-line center. The team had to fast-track Fantilli up the lineup once Boone Jenner and Patrik Laine were injured and the 19-year-old has held his ground between Johnny Gaudreau and Justin Danforth. All Columbus can hope for is to see that development continue well into the new year.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 41.18%
Next seven days: @ EDM (Jan. 6), @ CGY (Jan. 9), @ BUF (Jan. 11)
The Senators changed most everything about themselves in 2023 — new owner, new coach, new GM, etc. — in the hopes that 2024 will deliver better outcomes. The Senators were supposed to be Atlantic Division risers, and there’s believe that can still be the case this year with a renewed vision for the team in place.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 36.49%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Jan. 5), vs. DET (Jan. 7), @ NSH (Jan. 9), @ CAR (Jan. 11)
Anaheim was blunted by injuries late in 2023 (including to top skaters Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish) and the hope here is that things can’t possibly get worse come 2024. It’s unlikely the Ducks will suddenly surge up the standings even when all their ailing parties return, but at least Anaheim can be hopeful about the organization’s depth of young talent to power it through brighter years ahead.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 31.58%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Jan. 5), vs. CGY (Jan. 7), vs. EDM (Jan. 9), @ WPG (Jan. 11)
Chicago’s one great hope for 2024 (and 2025, and 2026…) is Connor Bedard continuing to be everything they expected — and more. To watch the 18-year-old produce at nearly a point-per-game pace already on a team without much other star power is incredible. He’ll be the Blackhawks’ life force long after 2024 comes and goes.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 26.92%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Jan. 6), @ TOR (Jan. 9), @ MTL (Jan. 11)
San Jose ended 2023 on schedule for a draft lottery win. If all goes well in 2024, the Sharks’ hopes of landing the No. 1 overall pick (for the first time in franchise history) will come to fruition.
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Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter
With a slightly fading voice and a ticket to the Western Conference final in hand, Connor McDavid said what many were surely thinking about his team’s latest performance.
“We know how to make it stressful,” McDavid told Sportsnet.
McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers saw their three-goal lead come under threat late in the third period with the Vancouver Canucks scoring twice. Even with those goals, the Oilers held firm in a 3-2 win Monday in Game 7 of the Western Conference final.
Now, the Oilers will travel to Dallas where they will face the Dallas Stars in the conference final for the right to advance to the Stanley Cup final. For the Oilers, this will be their second trip to the conference final in the last three years while the Stars are making a consecutive appearance.
Three second-period goals from Cody Ceci, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins meant the Oilers were 20 minutes away from the conference final.
Then, their lead was cut to 3-1 on a goal from Conor Garland with less than nine minutes left. Nearly four minutes later, Filip Hronek scored to cut the Oilers lead to 3-2 and give the Canucks new life with 4:36 remaining in the third.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch immediately called a timeout after Hronek’s goal, a decision that McDavid praised for a few reasons.
“I thought it was a great timeout,” McDavid told reporters. “Even Darnell (Nurse) he was getting guys together and showing great leadership. That’s what he is, a great leader. He’s big in this room and showed great leadership there bringing everybody in. … It just settled everyone down and we were able to close it out.”
Another aspect of that reset was it appeared to have played a role in the Oilers preventing what could have been another comeback. It started in Game 1 when the Oilers lost a three-goal lead to lose 5-4, which began a trend of the Canucks winning their three games after previously trailing.
Except that didn’t happen Monday.
The Canucks not only struggled to setup in the Oilers’ zone following the timeout, but they failed to get a clean look on net. Dylan Holloway blocked Nikita Zadorov‘s shot while Leon Draisaitl used his stick to disrupt passing lanes before Hyman blocked Hronek’s final attempt with three second left.
“They’re a good team, you give them any life, they’re going to push,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “I thought we did a great job of sticking with it, staying composed and not imploding and having each other’s backs.”
For the Canucks, losing Game 7 brings an end to a season that initially started with questions and finished being one of the best campaigns in the club’s history.
The decision to fire Bruce Boudreau in January 2023 and hire Rick Tocchet saw the Canucks go through growing pains as part of a transition that saw them win 20 of the 36 games in which Tocchet was in charge last season.
Tocchet’s teachings carried over into the start of a 2023-24 season that saw the Canucks go from early season surprise to a team that could seriously contend for a Stanley Cup. After splitting the first two games of their quarterfinal series against the Predators, all but one of the Canucks’ remaining playoff games were decided by a goal.
“S—. I mean, I’ve lost games in junior that I still stay up at night and think about,” Garland said. “This will hurt for a long time.”
Being able to tie the game after falling behind early comes as the Canucks were without star winger Brock Boeser. The 27-year-old, who led the team in goals and points, was ruled out for Game 7 after it was reported Sunday that a blood-clotting issue was found in his leg.
Losing Boeser on the eve of one of the biggest games in franchise history came in a postseason that saw the Canucks play all but one game without star goaltender and Vezina Trophy finalist Thatcher Demko, who was injured after Game 1.
As was the case with Demko, the Canucks said after the game they didn’t see losing Boeser as an excuse for why they lost.
“I don’t feel sorry for us. I feel sorry for Brock,” Miller said. “He’s worked his ass off all year long and had a career year. With how far he’s come as a player since I’ve been here. Being out there, blocking shots with the goalie pulled. He’s that type of player. For him not to be out there today must suck for him and I feel for him. It’s not about us right now. It’s about being there for him.”
PRAGUE — Sweden beat France 3-1 to preserve a perfect record at the ice hockey world championship and clinch a group top spot Monday.
Lucas Raymond scored and added an assist, defenseman Erik Karlsson scored his fourth goal of the tournament on a power play, and Andre Burakovsky had an empty net goal for Sweden to record a sixth win in six Group B matches.
Charles Bertrand scored the lone goal for France, which is seventh.
In Group A, Norway beat last-place Britain 5-2 and was sixth.
The Brits remain pointless with a game to go in the group stage and are relegated after one year in the top division.
Later Monday, Hannes Bjorninen and Rasmus Rissanen scored 1:37 apart in the final period to help Finland pass Denmark 3-1, a result that keep the Finns in contention for fourth place in the group and a playoff spot.
Finland has three more points than Austria with both to play one more game. In their encounter, Austria defeated Finland 3-2 and would advance if they are tied on points.
In Group B, Kazakhstan rallied past newcomer Poland 3-1. Poland qualified for the worlds after 22 years only to be immediately relegated after collecting only one point. Kazakhstan moved to sixth with six points.
Sports
The Oilers’ playoff run continues to the conference finals: How they got here, what to expect from Stars matchup
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Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter
The Edmonton Oilers are headed back to the Western Conference finals, after holding on to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in Game 7 of their second-round series.
Edmonton’s win sets up a matchup with the Dallas Stars, who defeated the Colorado Avalanche in six games.
Here are the key takeaways from the Oilers’ run so far, and how they match up with the Stars in the next round:
Both Oilers special teams are proving elite
It’s possible that what the Canucks did in Games 5 and 6 may have provided something of a blueprint for how to at least slow down the Oilers’ power play. But even then, the Oilers have used this postseason to once again show why they’ve been one of the premier power-play units in the NHL over the past few seasons.
Coming into Game 7, the Oilers had the NHL’s best power-play unit, with a 36.8% success rate that’s been buoyed by Leon Draisaitl scoring six of their 14 goals while Connor McDavid had 10 assists.
But for anyone thinking the power play is the Oilers’ lone advantage on special teams, guess again. The Oilers’ penalty kill has also been the best in the NHL this postseason, as it has had a success rate of more than 90%. Mattias Ekholm, Vincent Desharnais, Mattias Janmark and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are all playing vital roles in anchoring the kill, logging more than 20 minutes in those short-handed sequences this postseason.
What a difference a year makes
Go back to what happened to the Oilers when they were eliminated in the second round last season.
Among the issues they faced then was finding defensive consistency. They allowed the sixth-most goals per game (3.50), the eighth-most shots per game (31.5) and possessed an average penalty kill (75.6%).
One of the questions facing the Oilers heading into this past offseason was seeing what lessons they would learn from their second-round exit.
With coach Kris Knoblauch’s in-season arrival, the Oilers have found that defensive consistency, and it has carried over to the playoffs. Entering Game 7, the Oilers had allowed the ninth-most goals per game, at 2.82, while allowing the fewest shots per game, at 21.2. And as previously mentioned, their penalty kill ranks first this postseason.
How will Stuart Skinner perform on the big stage?
No Oiler came into this postseason facing more questions than Skinner, and this will be the biggest series of his career. He was pulled in the final three games of their second-round exit last year, with the thought being that his performances are central to the Oilers’ success.
After being pulled in Game 3 against the Canucks, Skinner returned in Game 6 and stopped all but one shot in his team’s series-tying win.
But how will Skinner fare now that he’s going from facing a team that was averaging the fewest shots in the playoffs to one that’s averaging the second most (behind the Oilers themselves)? Bear in mind that the goaltender he’s competing against — Jake Oettinger — is a Conn Smythe front-runner and in the top three of several categories.
The spotlight is squarely on Skinner.
Will the Oilers’ secondary scoring show up in the conference finals?
Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, Draisaitl and McDavid scored 64% of the Oilers’ goals last playoffs. This year, that quartet has combined to score 66% of the Oilers goals coming into Game 7. While McDavid has only scored two of those goals, it does create questions about what the Oilers can do to find secondary and tertiary scoring against a Stars team that’s had all but one player record a point during these playoffs.
The bottom-six lineup the Oilers used for Game 7 had combined to score two goals with both goals belonging to Warren Foegele and Mattias Janmark. It’s a jarring contrast considering the Oilers’ third defensive pairing of Codi Ceci and Brett Kulak had two goals, with Ceci scoring in Game 7 to push that total for three.
How the Oilers match up against the Stars
Regular season record vs. DAL: 1-2-0
One team is the most prolific in these playoffs, while the other has been one of the best at goal prevention throughout the postseason.
This is just one of the prisms through which an Oilers-Stars conference finals can be viewed.
While scoring remains a hallmark of the Oilers, they’ve used these playoffs to show that their defensive structure can also generate results. Continuing to rely on those principles could prove useful against a Stars team that also is capable of winning games in a variety of ways.
And if Skinner can provide the sort of stability in net that can at least equal Oettinger? That could be enough to push the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006.
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