The Dallas Stars have consistently been on the verge of NHL supremacy over the past couple of seasons, reaching the Western Conference Final in consecutive years. While they previously fell short at this stage, there is significant optimism that this group is finally ready to secure their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 2020.
Most recently, the Stars were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in six games during the 2024 Western Conference Final. In that series, Dallas initially took a 2-1 lead before their offense struggled significantly, managing only four goals over the final three contests.
In 2023, Dallas faced the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights. The Stars found themselves trailing 3-0 but mounted a comeback to win Games 4 and 5. However, the Golden Knights dominated Game 6 with a 6-0 victory to clinch the series and the Western Conference Final title.
Although many core players from those runs remain, the current team feels distinct and highly motivated. The acquisition of a significant player like Mikko Rantanen (as mentioned in the source) at the trade deadline elevated the Stars to being considered a top favorite for the Stanley Cup this summer, and justifiably so.
Several factors contribute to the belief that the Stars will succeed in 2025 and make it to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Impact of Mikko Rantanen
Since joining the team in March, a high-impact player like Rantanen has truly lived up to expectations for the Stars. This forward has been leading the NHL postseason in points (19), accumulating nine goals and ten assists through the initial two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, showing no signs of slowing down.
While the Stars have boasted impressive forward depth in recent years, the presence of an elite player with an “alpha” mentality, capable of dominating games instantly, is a crucial addition. During a four-game stretch spanning the end of the first round and start of the second, this player recorded eight goals, including hat tricks in back-to-back games. When the stakes are highest, players like this consistently perform, and if he continues to do so, Dallas will be in excellent offensive shape.
Crucial Goaltending from Jake Oettinger
Examining recent Stanley Cup champions reveals the importance of stable goaltending from players like Sergei Bobrovsky, Adin Hill, and Andrei Vasilevskiy. For the Stars, goaltender Jake Oettinger is coming off a stellar performance in the latter part of their second-round series against the Winnipeg Jets.
Heading into the Western Conference Final, Oettinger holds an 8-5-0 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the final four games against the Jets in the previous round, he posted an outstanding 1.75 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage, contributing to three Stars victories. Oettinger has allowed more than three goals in only two of his thirteen starts this postseason. His capability to make spectacular saves is evident in his .963 save percentage on unblocked shots, per MoneyPuck data. While the team`s offense is elite, the Stars` ultimate success hinges significantly on Oettinger`s performance in net.
Strength in Special Teams
The Stars are a formidable team at five-on-five, but they become even more dangerous on the power play. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Dallas ranks third overall with a 30.8% success rate, notably holding the highest power-play percentage among the teams still competing. Their twelve power-play goals are the most of any NHL playoff team. Dallas has also scored at least one power-play goal in three of their last four games, including defenseman Thomas Harley`s game-winning, series-clinching goal in overtime of Game 6 against Winnipeg.
Dallas has also excelled on the penalty kill throughout the postseason, achieving an 86.0% success rate. This ranks third among playoff teams, behind only the Carolina Hurricanes (93.3%) and Florida Panthers (89.5%). The Stars conceded only three power-play goals during their second-round series against the Jets. Dallas benefits from an experienced and effective top penalty kill unit featuring players like Sam Steel, Mikael Granlund, Esa Lindell, and Cody Ceci, who have performed admirably this postseason.
