The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers, locked in a fierce NHL playoff rivalry, face off Thursday night in a pivotal conference semifinal matchup. This game marks the third consecutive season these Western Conference rivals have met at the penultimate stage, with the Oilers holding a 2-1 edge in previous meetings. Stars-Oilers III could determine the West's champion, though the teams are markedly different now. The Stars, No. 2 in the Central Division, host the Oilers after a dominant 2025-26 season where they won both games against Edmonton: a 4-3 shootout win in Dallas and an 8-3 demolition in Edmonton. Stathletes projections show the Oilers favored (37.6%) over the Stars (15.9%) to reach the conference finals, facing the Colorado Avalanche (43.0%) or Minnesota Wild (31.3%) if they win their first-round series against the Wild.

This Thursday's game is a critical test for both clubs' postseason hopes.