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Oilers one win from Cup Final: Game 5 takeaways, early look at Game 6
With the Oilers up 3-2 headed back to Edmonton, here are the key trends to monitor, and the players who will be critical in a possible clinching game.
Oilers dominate Stars and go up 3-2 in the WCF
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' two goals lead the Oilers to a 3-1 victory in Game 5.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opens scoring with power-play goal
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins taps the puck past Jake Oettinger to put the Oilers on the board.
Wyatt Johnston's goal puts the Stars on the board
Wyatt Johnston tallies a goal to put the Stars on the board in the third period.
Stuart Skinner's impressive save keeps the Stars scoreless in the 3rd
Oilers' goalie Stuart Skinner denies the Stars to keep them scoreless in the third period.
Oilers go up 3-0 on Philip Broberg's goal
Philip Broberg fires the puck home to give the Oilers a 3-0 lead.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins slaps home his 2nd goal for Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scores his second goal to pad the Oilers' lead.
Stuart Skinner strings together two saves to keep the Stars scoreless
Stuart Skinner denies the Stars twice with two impressive saves to keep the Stars scoreless in the first half.
Top Headlines
PANTHERS WIN GAME 5, 3-2
GAME 6 SATURDAY, ABC/ESPN+
Panthers have the Rangers on the ropes: Grades, takeaways from Game 5, early look at Game 6
A 3-2 win means that the Panthers have the same edge heading home to Florida. Here's what swung the game, and what to watch in Game 6.
PLAYOFFS CENTRAL
Stanley Cup Playoffs Central: Bracket, schedule, game previews for the NHL's postseason
From the first round all the way through the Stanley Cup Final, ESPN has you covered. Explore the full results, and coverage on each team.
KNOBLAUCH'S 2023-24 JOURNEY
FROM HARTFORD TO EDMONTON
Kris Knoblauch's journey from youth hockey coach to 'saving' Oilers' season
"We dug out of a big hole and Kris was a big reason for it," Edmonton GM Ken Holland said. It's been quite a year for the former West Hartford Wolves volunteer.
CHANGING THE COURSE OF HISTORY
How Blue Jacket buddies Panarin, Bobrovsky changed the trajectory for the Rangers, Panthers
The Russian pair walked away from Columbus in 2019, altering the rebuild timelines for the two current Eastern Conference finalists.
IN THEIR BAD BOYS ERA
How the Panthers became the NHL's bad boys -- and why they'll need to be to win against the Rangers
Frustrating, free-flowing and full of finesse. Florida is incapable of being rattled and is often the team instigating the extracurriculars.
OILERS' ROSTER
BUILDING AROUND TWO SUPERSTARS
Have the Oilers done enough to get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl a Stanley Cup?
Building around superstars can be a challenge. How did the Oilers do it, and could this be their best shot to win with McDavid and Draisaitl?
DRAFT PROSPECT RANKINGS
NHL DRAFT IS JUNE 28, 29 ON ESPN, ESPN+
NHL draft Big Board: Updated top-32 rankings following under-18 championships, draft lottery
With the draft order set and many prospects' seasons over, here's the new list ahead of the draft combine in June.
Post-lottery NHL mock draft: San Jose on the clock at No. 1
The Sharks, Blackhawks and Ducks have the top three picks, with Macklin Celebrini, Artyom Levshunov and Cole Eiserman among top prospects available.
Why everyone -- including Draymond Green and Steve Kerr -- sees Macklin Celebrini as a can't-miss prospect
The expected No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, Celebrini has seen athletic success up close over the years with his dad working for a number of professional sports teams.
Top Headlines
- 'Disjointed' Stars face elimination; DeBoer heated
- Oilers win, on cusp of first Cup Final in 18 years
- Saginaw tops Moose Jaw, reaches Memorial final
- Wild not retaining longtime assistant Hendrickson
- Panthers success leads to attendance record
- Panthers win, on verge of Stanley Cup Final return
- Canes' Slavin becomes 2-time Lady Byng winner
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What's on the masks of Stanley Cup playoff goalies? Our guide
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