The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are down to four teams, and each of the conference finalists arrived here after taking a significant step forward from last season.
Whether it’s depth, defense, or simply a different mentality, the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers have improved in a key area that’s helped them break through.
Edmonton Oilers: Shaking The Depth Narrative And Playing Defense
The Oilers are back in the Western Conference final, but the narrative surrounding this team is not the same.
Although the Oilers are often considered to rely too much on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the idea that they don’t have depth and aren’t trustworthy defensively has been thrown out the window.
Despite neither star having their signature explosive playoff series so far, the Oilers won close, smart hockey games. They’ve committed to a 200-foot game.
The Oilers are also rolling all four lines and getting contributions. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch hasn’t been concerned about matchups, and that’s massive, keeping the minutes reasonable for the big two superstars.
Draisaitl and McDavid are so confident in the team’s play at both ends of the ice that they seem tired of discussing it.
“I don’t know how many times we need to answer these questions,” Draisaitl said. “We’ve been a really good defensive team for years now.”
Added McDavid: “We can defend. We can. We’ve shown that time and again.”
Combine that with the possibility of their stars catching fire offensively, and Edmonton becomes even more dangerous.
Dallas Stars: Rantanen Ignites The Offense
Two key additions – Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund – elevated the Dallas Stars. Rantanen leads all NHL playoff scorers with 19 points (nine goals in 13 games), while Granlund chipped in seven points. They’re giving Dallas the firepower it previously lacked, turning the Stars into a true Cup contender.
Rantanen was easily the biggest trade deadline acquisition by any team this season, but Granlund was a sneaky one that doesn’t get as much credit as it should. Both have been a tremendous fit, while some of their depth players and veterans have struggled.
Carolina Hurricanes: Wins By Committee
No Carolina Hurricanes player has more than 10 points in 10 playoff games, but their full team buy-in and commitment to defense have carried them. The Hurricanes have been dominant at home.
They lead the playoffs in penalty-kill percentage and goals-against per game.
“I don’t think really anybody enjoys playing Carolina,” said Panthers left winger Matthew Tkachuk. With unmatched structure and depth, they’ve become one of the hardest teams to crack.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour teaches possession and a grinding style of hockey that has proven successful, even as the team dealt with a major loss when Rantanen wouldn’t re-sign there.
This isn’t a team that needs a superstar. That makes the squad a force with a full roster.
Florida Panthers: Grit, Leadership And Experience
In their third straight trip to the Eastern Conference final, the Florida Panthers continue to show why experience matters. Led by the grit and edge of Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and trade deadline acquisition Brad Marchand, Florida knows how to wear teams down.
“When it’s time to put those work boots on, I don’t think there’s a team that works harder,” Tkachuk told reporters Tuesday.
The Panthers are proven. They’ve been to the final twice in recent seasons, and they know what it takes to win big games in tough situations. Few teams are as battle-tested, and players on this roster are willing to go through a wall, even if some of them are relatively new arrivals.
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