Beau Akey is a known prospect to Oilers fans. He missed most of last season due to injury, and didn’t completely establish himself as a top-flight offensive defender in 2024-25. He’s a speedy player, a right-handed defender, has skill and should see major minutes in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors next season.

The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars play Game 2 of the Western Conference Final in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Friday at American Airlines Center.

It’s hard to believe a player who couldn’t put any weight on his left leg in the third period of a game would be ready for playoff hockey 2,000 miles away just over 36 hours later. Crazier things have happened,

Stuart Skinner had three shutouts in 51 regular season starts. Now he has three in seven playoff games. And it’s not because he turns into Martin Brodeur. When the Oilers tighten up and lock it down, they’re as tough to penetrate as any team in hockey.

The Oilers beat the Dallas Stars 3-0 in Game 2 of the Western Conference final to tie the series at 1-1. While Edmonton blew a 3-1 lead in the third period of Game 1's 6-3 loss, the away team held on while being outshot 9-2 in the final frame of Game 2.

Suffice it to say, the perception of the Edmonton Oilers has changed quite a bit in a month. They’ve gone from having major question marks surrounding them before their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings to looking like a powerhouse heading into their Western Conference final rematch with the Dallas Stars.