It’s time for another Last Word on Hockey First-Round series preview. This time we go in-depth on the much-anticipated Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars series. Dallas clinched first in the Western Conference, but are unfortunately “rewarded” with a matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champions. This Golden Knights vs Stars series is expected to be an intense one.
Vegas is looking to bring in some reinforcements like Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo. This is despite the annoyance of many non-Golden Knights fans. The team does have the talent to give Dallas plenty of fits in this opening-round series.
Let’s take a look at the series breakdown between the Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars first-round series. We’ll take a look at the series keys, odds, promos and make our ultimate prediction on the series.
Golden Knights vs Stars Odds and Promos
Fan Duel has the Stars as a slight favorite in the series at -130. The Golden Knights could be a sneaky value play at +108. Game 1 has Dallas at -142 and Vegas getting a +118. You’re most likely getting an over/under of 5.5 on this games.
Golden Knights vs Stars 2023-24 History
The Golden Knight swept the Stars in all three previous encounters this season. However, the Stars are a lot different from the team that last saw the champions on December 9. Dallas has been one of the best teams in the league and missed out on the President’s Trophy by a single points. Both rosters have undergone some changes.
Vegas did outscore Dallas 11-5 in the three previous meetings, but the Stars are healthy with Jake Oettinger back for months and the recent return of Tyler Seguin to the lineup. The Golden Knights are hopeful Stone and Pietrangelo are almost at 100-percent for the series.
Golden Knights vs Stars Keys to the Series
What the Golden Knights Need to do to Find Success
Stone is a game-changer and can play in all situations for the team. He’s excellent on even strength, power play and penalty kill situations. However, one wonders how he’s recovered from that spleen injury. He was practicing before the end of the regular season, much to the annoyance of many non-Vegas fans.
The recent addition of Noah Hanifin will also be a telltale sign on how the series may go. Hanifin was acquired from the Calgary Flames and will play with Pietrangelo at most times. Most know that Dallas has an outstanding defensive unit. However, Vegas is nothing to sneeze at and outplaying the Dallas blueline group will be huge.
People also forget that Adin Hill did help carry this squad to a championship last season. Hill has missed portions of the season due to injury, but he’s more than capable of handling his business in the blue paint. A red-hot Hill could be problematic for Dallas.
What the Stars Need to do to Find Success
Defence is the calling card for the Stars with Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Chris Tanev and Thomas Harley. Heiskanen may not be a final nominee for the Norris Trophy, but he’s one of the best blueliners in the league. If the Stars can outduel the Knights on defence, things likely go in the top-seed’s favour.
One other key is the Dallas youth movement. Younger players like Logan Stankoven, Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson have really made the team formidable in the forward group. This team has a legit scary roster and Vegas will have to be on point most times to stop this deep lineup.
Oettinger first broke onto the scene a few seasons after a stellar series against the Flames. He’s rounded into one of the best netminders in the league. The 25-year-old being on top of his game could make things tough for Vegas in finding the back of the night.
Predictions and Best Bets
This series is going to be “big boy hockey” as The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun calls it. Both teams could make a legit run to the Stanley Cup Final after this series. It’s a shame one of these teams is going home after the opening round. However, that’s the breaks with the post-season.
Much of this series’ path will be dictated by the health of Stone and Pietrangelo after layoffs. Tomas Hertl‘s acquisition gives the Knights another threat and having him on the second line gives the Knights some depth as well.
Defence and depth scoring will likely tell the tale of this series. The blueline group with the most success will likely advance to the next round. Someone on a third line could step up and change the course of the series.
Fan Duel has this series going at least six or seven with Dallas winning in six at +490 and seven at +420. Vegas is getting the odds of +470 for six and +540 for seven. For series leading scorers, Stone might be worth a test at +1200 while Roope Hintz is getting action at +900.
This will be the heavyweight fight, but Dallas finds a way to survive and advance.
Prediction: Stars win in seven games.
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Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
