If the NHL playoffs’ conference finals look familiar, it’s because both series are a repeat of recent matchups.
The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers met in last season’s Western Conference finals. Edmonton won that series in six games and went on to lose in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
The Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers met in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals. Florida swept that series and lost in that year’s Stanley Cup Final before picking up the team’s first championship in 2024.
Here’s what the same and what’s different between now and the last time these teams met in the playoffs:
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers
What’s the same for the Stars: Coach Peter DeBoer is in his third consecutive conference finals. Goalie Jake Oettinger, defenseman Miro Heiskanen and the rest of the core are mostly back.
What’s different for the Stars: They have a new-look first line with trade acquisitions Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund joining Roope Hintz. Rantanen leads the league in playoff scoring. Defenseman Thomas Harley is a bigger factor, stepping up during Heiskanen’s injury. Jason Robertson is trying to find his game again in the playoffs after coming back from an injury in the final game of the season.
What’s the same for the Oilers: Teams have to figure out how to shut down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Goalie Stuart Skinner again has bounced back after sitting out following a slow playoff start.
What’s different for the Oilers: Evander Kane is healthy and a force. He was hurting in last year’s series and eventually missed all of this regular season. He has four goals since his return. The Oilers have better scoring depth than last season. Newcomer Jake Walman leads the league with a plus-13 rating. Gritty Trent Frederic was added near the trade deadline. Edmonton is starting to get recognized for its defensive play.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
What’s the same for the Hurricanes: Coach Rod Brind’Amour is the conference finals for the third time. The core is basically the same.
What’s different for the Hurricanes: Forward Andrei Svechnikov was hurt in the 2023 playoffs. He has eight goals this postseason. Goalie Frederik Andersen’s numbers are even better than his stellar stats from back then.
What’s the same for the Panthers: Paul Maurice continues his successful coaching. He has made the conference finals during each of his three seasons with the team. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and five of their top 2023 playoff scorers are still part of the core.
What’s different for the Panthers: They added forward Brad Marchand and defenseman Seth Jones before the trade deadline and they’re playing big roles. Marchand leads the team in playoff scoring while playing on the third line. Jones is averaging more than 25 minutes a game.
