Tonight, the Edmonton Oilers will visit the Dallas Stars for game one of the 2024 NHL Western Conference Final. There is a parallel universe out there where the Oilers moved to Houston in the late 1990s, which would make this matchup a state rivalry. Perhaps Connor McDavid would have a cooled driveway in Houston.
Just imagine a Central Division made up of the Stars, Oilers, Avalanche, Jets, and Predators. Plus, the Blues and Wild aren’t chopped liver, not to mention Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks. It would be insane, especially when the Pacific would be pretty weak after the Canucks, Knights and to a lesser extent, the Kings. All this by just swopping the Oilers for HC Utah.
This hypothetical NHL Western Conference Final between the Dallas Stars and Houston Oilers carries a rich narrative backdrop that is thrilling for hockey fans, particularly those in Texas. The Oilers, who nearly relocated from Edmonton (in real life) to Houston in 1998 before being saved by a teamful of local businessman. I wonder if they’d kept the moniker Oilers, just a couple years after the football Oilers took off for Tennessee. Perhaps the Oilers would have become the Aeros, Apollos, or God knows what.
Getting back to the hypothetical, the Oilers moved marked the fourth consecutive year of an NHL relocation, following the Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets, and Hartford Whalers. That is all four clubs that jumped from the WHA. Those markets were fine in the 1970s and 1980s, but in the big money world of the 1990s, there was no way they could support a major professional team anymore. In our timeline, Edmonton survived, and Winnipeg got a second chance after the Thrashers relocated.
The current (hypothetical) team has carved a dramatic path to the finals as a wild card team after finishing fourth in the Central. They surged past the Vancouver Canucks and the Vegas Golden Knights (who beat Los Angeles in round one), demonstrating resilience and skill that captured the imagination of their fans as Houston is looking for their first Stanley Cup. The underdog Oilers are taking Houston by storm, especially after their poor start to the season, which cost coach Jay Woodcroft his job.
On the other hand, the Dallas Stars have showcased their dominance all season, finishing first in the Central Division. They proved their mettle by defeating the Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche (who beat the new Jets in round one) in the first two playoff rounds. This performance has only heightened the anticipation among their supporters, who are looking for their first Stanley Cup in a quarter century. Remember, the Stars swept the Oilers in the first round during that Stanley Cup run.
The excitement in the Lone Star State is palpable, not only because of the stakes in this hockey series but also due to a broader sports rivalry that has recently intensified. Just seven months ago, the Texas Rangers defeated the Houston Astros in seven games for the American League Championship Series (ALCS), adding an extra layer of competitive spirit between the cities of Dallas and Houston. Lord knows the fans need it due to the performance of their football teams.
Fans are eager to see if the Houston Oilers can exact revenge on behalf of their city’s sports pride, while Dallas fans are looking to assert their dominance once again. The series promises high-intensity games filled with passionate play, strategic prowess, and a narrative of redemption and rivalry that goes beyond the rink. Houston certainly doesn’t want to see their state rival with both the World Series and Stanley Cup, especially at their expense. The Mavericks’ run the the NBA Playoffs just further rubs salt in their wounds.
This matchup isn’t just about a chance to play for the Stanley Cup; it’s about city pride, unfinished business, and the fierce determination of two teams eager to make history. For Texas, it’s a spectacle that unites and divides, with every game echoing the broader sports and cultural rivalry that defines Dallas and Houston.
Hali Hockey 