Wednesday marks Game 1 of the Edmonton Oilers’ matchup with the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final for the second year in a row and third appearance in it the last four years. Getting to the National Hockey League’s final four repeatedly in recent times has been a progression aided by the accumulation of playoff experience over the years, Oilers players said after their morning skate in Dallas. Defenceman Darnell Nurse told media the more the Oilers have gone through “certain situations” in the postseason – 2025 is the sixth year in a row Edmonton has made the NHL playoffs – “the more and more comfortable you are.” “The more comfort you have as a group, (the more) you’re able to play your game and kind of express yourself as players out there on the ice and not worry too much about anything else other than just playing the game,” Nurse said. “I think that’s what experience is. That’s what going through playoff run after playoff run (does), you just become more comfortable in each situation. “You just go out there and just play.” Winger Zach Hyman told reporters the Oilers’ strong record playing on the road – 4-2 this season after going 7-6 in last year’s run to the Stanley Cup final – comes from honing their ability to “play in those environments.” “Playoffs bring out the best in everyone and (in) the fans as well,” Hyman said. “It’s louder the further you get, so having the experience to know that you’ve been there and (playing) in those environments helps.” Special teams X-factor Just one of the 16 goals the Edmonton Oilers scored in their five-game series victory over the Vegas Golden Knights the previous playoff round came on the power play (and none shorthanded). And Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Wednesday morning playing with the man advantage – and defending against it – is likely what will give a team the edge as the playoffs continue. He said play at even strength this time of year, when “teams are so good and the difference is so minimal ... it (success) usually comes down to special teams.” Knoblauch and the Oilers’ coaching staff have taken note of the major changes the Stars have made, including the addition of Mikko Rantanen – who leads the NHL playoffs in scoring with nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points – at the trade deadline and the return of top defenceman Miro Heiskanen from injury. Never mind that the Stars’ special teams units are “well coached and ... at the top of the league.” The Stars are third among all playoff teams in power play (30.8 per cent) and penalty killing (86.1) conversions, while the Oilers are sixth (25 per cent) and 14th (66.7 per cent) in those categories, respectively. “The changes that they’ve made – obviously adding Rantanen at the end of the season – have improved their power play, which has always been a good power play. Then on the penalty kill, with Heiskanen coming back, there’s another good penalty killer.” Brown game-time decision Knoblauch said whether or not Oilers winger Connor Brown, who has scored four goals this postseason – tied for second on the team with Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard – plays tonight will be a decision at game time. Brown did not take the morning skate.
