It's a rematch of last season's Western Conference final, but with a few new twists on both sides that could change the game.

The Edmonton Oilers are back in the Western Conference Final, but this time, the storyline feels different. In past years, critics pointed to a team that relied too heavily on offense — specifically from the top two stars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

One of Canada’s remaining stars offered a perspective on the pressure of playing north of the border. Leon Draisaitl, speaking Monday as the Edmonton Oilers prepare for the Western Conference Final, addressed whether the intense environment around Canadian teams creates a unique challenge.

McDavid is currently the reigning Conn Smythe winner despite the fact that his Oilers fell to the Florida Panthers in last season’s Stanley Cup final. McDavid was the sixth player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe on a losing team.

Last season, the Stars and Oilers squared off in the Western Conference final, with the Oilers winning the series 4-2. Both squads had the makings of Cup champions last year, but they both missed out, as Edmonton lost a historic Game 7 in the final against the Florida Panthers after initially falling 3-0 in the series.

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.

Dallas and Edmonton aren’t exactly geographic rivals, but that doesn’t mean these two teams don’t have a rich history.

The Stars and Oilers met in last year's conference finals, and the Hurricanes and Panthers met in 2023. What has changed since then?

The Edmonton Oilers appear to be getting close to having Mattias Ekholm back in action, as the series versus the Dallas Stars approaches.