The Stanley Cup Playoffs return to the DFW Metroplex this 12 months. The Stars return to the ice tonight to tackle the Vegas Golden Knights. With one other playoff sequence about to start, Blackout Dallas provides you our professional predictions on how this sequence will go together with the Vegas Golden Knights. With out additional to do, listed below are our predictions for the sequence.
Whereas Vegas has a newly wholesome roster, Dallas has the depth that Vegas had final season. With their harm returns as of late, the Star’s best energy might be a stability of playoff-level goaltending and roster items. With the brand new returns, Vegas may lack the road chemistry the Stars have labored arduous to domesticate over the previous a number of months. You possibly can see it, particularly with the third line, and the way Jamie Benn has grow to be a scoring risk since Logan Stankoven was known as up from the AHL. Even the fourth line has contributed not too long ago with some insurance coverage targets of their very own.
With the flexibility to attain in numerous methods from totally different gamers and a mix of youth and veteran ability, the Dallas Stars have what it takes to knock the defending Stanley Cup Champs off their throne. It will be a hard-fought sequence, however Dallas would be the victor in 6.”
Right here we go once more. The Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights are dealing with one another, and Mark Stone has a wonderfully timed restoration for sport 1, and all the things’s the identical. Besides… it isn’t.
The 2022-2023 Dallas Stars had been good, however the 2023-2024 Dallas Stars are higher. They completed second in the complete league. They gained the Western Convention and have a home-ice benefit in each matchup (besides in opposition to the Rangers). They’ve ahead depth unequalled by different groups. Joe Pavelski now has two(!) tenants. Chris Tanev is massively boosting the protection, Jake Oettinger discovered his groove once more, and I may fill a complete web page with how this group improved.
Vegas continues to be a problem. These two groups have a historical past within the playoffs, and after dropping to the group that gained all of it final 12 months, the Stars have one thing to show. Conserving a degree head might be essential on this sequence.
The playoffs all the time invite a special degree of play, however the Stars have proven 12 months after 12 months that they’re constructed for that. Dallas can play any type of hockey, however they should management the sport the way in which they’ve been by the latter a part of the season. Conserving management will enable them to unleash their deadly offense that cycles by all 4 strains.
This group has felt like a discovered household. They’ve one thing to show, they usually play for one another. It’s time, and the Stars have by no means been extra geared up to face the challenges forward.
The Dallas Stars are poised for an exhilarating playoff run, and several other essential components will form their efficiency. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this formidable group.
Purpose-Scoring Mastery
The Stars flaunt a powerful roster of eight or extra 20-goal scorers, with standout gamers like Ottinger main the cost. His latest kind has been scintillating, boasting a 15-5 document over the past 20 video games and a powerful save share of .907. His distinctive play could possibly be the X-factor within the postseason.
Depth and Steadiness
Regardless of the season’s challenges, the group has maintained outstanding consistency. Because the common season drew to an in depth, their synergy started to click on. Evgenii Dadonov’s return provides depth, and the squad’s chemistry seems to have hit its stride.
The Golden Knights’ Resurgence
On the opposing facet, the Vegas Golden Knights are not any pushovers. Core gamers like Mark Stone, Alex Pietrangelo, and William Provider are all again in motion. Nevertheless, quick chemistry won’t materialize, probably impacting their efficiency.
Goaltending Conundrum
The Knights face a pivotal resolution within the crease. Hill, with the potential to be a strong goalie, has not too long ago struggled, posting a 4-6 document, a 3.51 goals-against common, and an .871 save share. In the meantime, Logan Thompson has been stellar, boasting an 8-2 document, a 2.14 goals-against common, and a powerful .926 save share. The selection of beginning goalie will considerably affect the sequence.
Prediction
Finally, this sequence hinges on depth. Which group’s supporting forged will reply when it issues most? Each squads function 4 or extra 20-goal scorers, however the Stars’ consistency and Dadonov’s return give them a slight edge.
From a statistical perspective, the Dallas Stars have virtually been “unfortunate” in opposition to the Vegas Golden Knights this 12 months. Particularly, within the three video games this season the place Dallas went 0-1-2, they out-matched Vegas in a number of key statistical classes at 5v5 (by way of NaturalStatTrick):
The next stats are the one 5v5 metrics the place Dallas has been weaker than Vegas this 12 months of their matchups:
Dallas’ Excessive-Hazard Save Share in opposition to Vegas has been 0.546. Which means that within the three video games this season, Vegas has scored on roughly half of their photographs on purpose from the high-danger space. Hopefully, as a part of a sport plan, Dallas can mitigate the Excessive-Hazard alternatives whereas getting well timed saves. Aside from pure targets, Dallas has out-classed Vegas this season.
Sadly, you may have as many anticipated targets as you need however nonetheless want precise targets. I really feel that, upon extra probabilities in opposition to Vegas, Dallas will enhance.
The extra occasions you play a group, the bigger the sport pattern will get, and that’s the place the numbers will present that followers can belief. After 2-3 extra video games of Dallas vs. Vegas, we could know extra about what Dallas can do in opposition to the defending Stanley Cup champions. Whatever the new faces within the Golden Knights lineup, if the Stars can plan appropriately, push the tempo in transition, and survive the board battles, then the Dallas Stars ought to have the ability to proceed with their statistical edge and might win the sequence.
It is higher to tackle a defending Stanley Cup Champion within the first spherical than within the third spherical. The Stars are taking up the Vegas Golden Knights, who eradicated them within the Western Convention Finals final season. The Stars clinched the Western Convention common season championship after forcing OT in opposition to the St. Louis Blues. Western Convention, Nevertheless, the Stars have tremendously improved because the finals. When you may have eight 20+ purpose scorers in your group, it is arduous for one more group to organize for that. With the Vegas Golden Knights getting everybody again wholesome in time for the playoffs, they may not be prepared for a way wholesome the Stars are.
Additionally, you will want protection to advance within the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Dallas Stars went out and acquired Chris Tanev on the commerce deadline. He is significantly helped the Stars enhance in that class. He is Jake Oettinger’s finest pal by clearing out folks in entrance of the online for him. It is allowed him to see the place the puck is best within the Stars’ zone.
The Golden Knights might be rocking a brand new lineup for the primary time. They may possible have some points with line chemistry out of the gate. That may play into the Stars’ palms since they don’t seem to be altering all their strains. With the way in which the Stars have performed not too long ago and have fought in opposition to some powerful groups, the Golden Knights might be catching up. That is why I’ve the Stars in six over the Golden Knights. It is lastly time the Stars get their revenge after dropping all three video games in the course of the common season.
