The first Stanley Cup Finals since 2004 after a lockout canceled the entirety of the 2004–05 season, it was contested between the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes and the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers entered the playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference. In the first round, they shockingly upset the Presidents' Trophy winner Detroit Red Wings in six games. They then beat the fifth-seeded San Jose Sharks in six games in the second round after trailing two games to none. In the Western Conference Final, the Oilers beat the sixth-seeded Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in five games to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990.