This rivalry is taking over the NHL - and the Dallas Stars are right in the middle of it
Photo credit: Spectrum News
The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers have collided so often in the playoffs that it feels like their meetings are scripted, and every chapter is more dramatic than the last.
Two straight postseason showdowns have turned this matchup into the league's must-watch rivalry, full of superstar clashes, goalie duels, and bad blood that only gets more heated.
The central storyline is always the same: Connor McDavid's explosive brilliance against Jake Oettinger's calm, technical goaltending. Their battle has created some of the most memorable highlights in recent playoff history.
When McDavid is charging down the ice and «Otter» is locked in, you can feel the entire arena holding its breath.
Then there's the power struggle up front. Mikko Rantanen's arrival in Dallas has added fuel to the fire, especially when he lines up against Leon Draisaitl. These games have become heavyweight bouts, with each shift carrying the weight of expectation and momentum.
The fans know it, the players know it, and both teams have started circling this matchup on the calendar months in advance.
The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers have created the NHL's top rivalry with playoff drama and superstar clashes
The Stars took the first series in 2024, fueled by depth scoring and Oettinger's timely saves. Edmonton struck back in 2025, knocking Dallas out in a Western Conference Final that left Stars fans furious over missed chances.
What makes it even more gripping is how evenly matched these teams remain, the Oilers' offensive firepower versus the Stars' mix of defense and resilience.
According to Sportsnet, both playoff meetings ranked among the highest-rated TV matchups of the postseason, proving this rivalry has captured not just fanbases, but the whole hockey world.
And as NHL.com pointed out, the intensity on the ice is starting to bleed into regular-season games, with chippy plays and hard hits carrying over.
I believe this is the kind of rivalry the NHL desperately needs - one built not just on history, but on modern star power and playoff stakes. If these teams meet again next spring, it could cement Dallas-Edmonton as the defining matchup of this generation.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 20 | 32 ANSWERS This rivalry is taking over the NHL - and the Dallas Stars are right in the middle of it Do you think the Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers is a top 5 NHL rivalry? | ||
| Yes | 22 | 68.8 % |
| No | 10 | 31.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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