GAME 3 PREVIEW - "Caution! Uneven Surfaces"
- Ivan Dawkins
- May 25
- 3 min read
Are the Dallas Stars outmanned on the ice in terms of speed in their series against the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final?
May 25, 2025 - Ivan Dawkins, Chief Operating Officer and Staff Writer
May 24, 2025; Dallas, TX; Dallas Love Field Airport - Photo Credit: Ivan Dawkins-BS3 Network
THE VISION
As I was boarding the plane to make my way towards Edmonton, Alberta Canada, I saw a sign. It simply read, "CAUTION! Uneven Surfaces." This sign also had an image of a man centered on a yellow caution triangle ⚠️. The man looked like he was on skates and/or falling. It was followed by a sign that stated, "Watch Your Step." Were these signs a sign? Was this some sort of cerebral celestial calling from the cosmos?
DYNAMIC SPEED
Some consider the Colorado Avalanche the fastest team in the NHL based on NHL Edge tracking data. They led the league in the number of times skaters reached 20 and 22 miles per hour. However, according to most, the Edmonton Oilers are the fastest team in the NHL, and often rank among the top contenders in speed and agility metrics. They are known for having a high number of high-speed bursts, as measured by NHL Edge stats, and are consistently among the fastest teams in the league. Let’s take a closer look.
Overall Speed: The Oilers are recognized for their overall skating speed and quickness, making them a difficult team to contain. Speed kills right!?
Connor McDavid's Impact: Connor McDavid is the team's fastest player, and his presence significantly contributes to their overall speed.
NHL Edge Stats: The NHL uses player-tracking metrics to measure speed, and the Oilers consistently rank highly in these stats.
High Speed Bursts: The Oilers have also been known to have a high number of speed bursts over 20 and 22 mph, according to the New York Times.
Okay, all apologies to the Dallas Stars. They have some EXTREMELY fast players. They are not generally considered one of the fastest teams in the NHL, but again, they have a few individual players who have reached impressive skating speeds this season, according to NHL EDGE stats. In fact, I'd love to see what Tyler Seguin hit on the radar gun in his breakaway goal during game one. We all know Roope Hintz & Miro Heiskanen are speed demons. I've also witnessed Wyatt Johnston jump on his horse bareback and giddy up down the ice a time or two. They've even had players clock speeds at over 24 mph in recent years. But to have to face back to back teams in Colorado & Edmonton with the kind of speed they possess is a ridiculous ask and a cruel task.
The Dallas Stars face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, May 25, 2025 at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Sunday (3 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SN, ESPN+, ABC). The best of seven series is tied 1 - 1.
HOW TO OVERCOME
In conclusion I'd have to answer my own perplexing question like so. Yes, the Stars are on uneven ice (so to speak) in this series with the Edmonton Oilers. However, that doesn't mean that they can't overcome that speed deficiency. I've been asked during both games, by my colleagues in the media, exactly how Dallas could overcome the Edmonton Oilers decided speed advantage. My answer? Guts, grit, determination and most of all, POWER!!! They need to get their hit rate up significantly. If they consistently check aggressively, Edmonton will start to become hesitant. They'll start looking, instead of rolling. Don't try to slow the pace of the game. The Oilers will likely just skate past you. Don't be afraid of chaos. Create it! The chaos you create, you are more likely to control. Walk on the wild side. Or better yet, skate!! While the analogy above may fit like the glove on O.J.'s hand in 1995, my concern is well-suited and well-founded. There may be no acquittal here.
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