Dallas seems to have way too much faith in 3 unproven young players. And Vegas is getting hate from just about every fan base because of ltir fiasco and they're also the most feared team in the west. I honestly think whoever wins this series will going to the finals.

I've never seen an 8th seed underdog look this scary. That vgk lineup is no joke

This is the toughest series to predict for me, Stars have looked great lately, but Knights really shouldn't be underestimated

No mention of VGK having significantly more man-games lost over everyone in the league....they've been scrapping to get into the playoffs playing AHLers and mixed up lines the last 3 months. Also no mention of Hertl, who will be a man on a mission these playoffs. 2G/2A in his 6 games with VGK and has been moved around from Center to wing. Dallas is having a great season and should be a well oiled machine in these playoffs. Vegas has limped in, but almost purposely...They are going to have a full healthy team for game 1. It might take a few games to get their lines in order and skating legs back, but all of these guys have experience and could very well come out strong game 1. We know what we're getting from the Stars, but VGK will determine how this series goes. With a healthy roster they will be deeper, more rested and more skilled up and down the roster. Gonna be a fun watch.

Imagine if these teams played each other with the jerseys of the thumbnail. We would all go blind😂

I just want pavelski to win a cup.

Pavelski. 82 Games Played. Are we serious right now? Incredible. LG STARS

Vegas destroyed hellebuyck, oettinger, bobrovsky during their cup run last year. They didn't look good this season, but they will be super dangerous if they get healthy, and it looks like all their injured players will be playing on monday.

As a Stars fan, it feels like it’s first round exit or the greatest revenge tour ever: Round 1 vs Vegas Round 2 vs Rick Bowness WCF Redemption SCF vs Tampa for the storyline

I hope the Stars pull through but I’m a little apprehensive. Hopefully Benn stays far away from Stone and sticks to his game. Let’s go Stars!! 🌟

It would be funny if mark stone scores a hat trick in game one. 😅😅😅😅😅

I'm so nervous. This is our best chance for the cup in years.

GO STARS!!

SJ fan here.. 1000% behind Pavelski and the Stars, would absolutely love seeing him lift the cup, I don't think anyone in the league deserves it more.

Dallas is deep (at least in terms of forwards), they have a mix of veteran presence and young talent, and a goalie who, on his best days, is lights out. With all that said, until there are handshakes after the series ends and Dallas advances, I'm holding my breath. Someone call 911 for me after game 1 goes to double OT and I actually die from stress.

Oettinger lost all 3 games he played against vegas this season and got destroyed WCF last year. Everyone is picking the stars over vegas as usual, I just don't buy dallas hype. Vegas in 6 or 7.

Nightmare matchup for Dallas-Ottenger has to be the difference

Fun fact: every year so far, Pete DeBoer has either faced Vegas or been with them. 2018: He loses to them 2019: He beats them 2020: He joins them 2021: Still with them 2022: Fired after missing playoffs 2023: Loses to them 2024: Facing them again (outcome TBD)

as a Sharks fan im rooting for the Stars with Pavelski

Go Knights. Btb

One stat not mentioned is avg minutes played per game. Just about every players minutes on the stars dropped cuz they have 4 balanced lines to throw out. I think this was key to staying healthy most of the yr. See ya there at game 1!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

This will be a very close series. All games between these teams either are one goal games or go into overtime. I’m sweating not gonna lie. Go Knights Go!

I think Vegas is being severely underestimated here. I hate them but I know how dangerous they are in the playoffs. If stone is back to 100 percent and Pietrangelo is healthy, Vegas takes this series in 7.

I just read a twitter feed that the stars are 19-22 against playoff teams this year, and all their advanced stats came from mostly playing against non playoff/borderline playoff teams. I think their records are severely over inflated. Vegas swept the rangers, stars, jets, they're 2-1 against the avs, 1-1 against the leafs, 1-1-1 against the oilers. The knights are obviously the top dog in the west and they're rolling out the same cup winning roster, plus 3 new players, well rested stone and pietrangelo will be coming back into the lineup. The only weakness they have is goaltending, and the team seems tired and they're obviously injured. If they can somehow stay healthy for a month and half, i don't see anybody beating this team. Vgk in 5.

As a Stars fan this was the team I didn't want to see early, but with all the injuries for Vegas maybe its better to get them early.

To me, Eichel will be the difference maker in this series. He's still got another gear, maybe 2! He'll get an assist on the series winning goal. VGK in 6.

Stars and Knights have both beaten each other in the WCF. Knights did it last year and Stars did it in 2020 but the Stars did it in 5 games. I think the Stars are much better now ad I like their chances to dominate in the playoffs this year especially with Otter playing awesome recently!

It’s going to be hard to shut down all 4 of the stars lines down

So, the outro commercial from this video was an advertisement for tickets to Arizona Coyotes games.

Go Stars!!!!!

If Hill is starting for Vegas I bet Dallas takes it. But if Thompson is starting I'm going to say VGK in 6.

So much pressure is on the stars, vgk will ice a super team. Everyone thinks dallas will win the series because it's 8th seed vs first in the central but imo, vegas has more well rounded team. the only weakness they have is goaltending. Dallas probably think it's their year to win it all, and they have to play vegas in first round ... yikes.

Love the jerseys in the thumbnail. You know the story of certain Dallas stars players beings friends with the band pantera? It was their pre game music and they even got the band to make a song for them for the playoffs. There’s some cool, affordable pantera/salad stars jerseys. One of the cooler heavy metal hockey jerseys since it’s actually a collab with a team.

I think the Stars are ready for this series, and will win it in 6

I’m VGK fan, but this series worries me. Knights have been very uneven and goaltending is questionable. Depends on which version shows up. Dallas is hot and going to be very motivated after last playoffs. Vegas can win, but they cant pull the only play a period or 2 style game they have fallen into.

As always, great game analysis!

One thing that could be important not brought up is the PP for Vegas since Hertl joined the lineup. In the 6 games with Hertl the VGK PP was 8-16. it is the best I have seen it, maybe ever. Golden Knights season ticket holder here since year 1 and they have never been great in that part of the game. If the last game of the season was that important to Vegas, Hanifan and maybe a few others would have played. I believe they were thinking that if they win great, if they lose so what and deal with it. Rest everybody up was of more importance. They do have some older players that could use the extra rest. I don't agree with you about Dallas being a deeper team than Vegas. The numbers will never support that statement but the injuries Vegas had to deal with this season were ridiculous. There were games when the Golden Knights had 5-6 AHL players on the ice and Patera in goal. Most teams wouldn't have even qualified for the playoffs with what they had to put on the ice. Carrier back in the lineup just allows Vegas to have their 4th line back. They haven't played together most of the season. They were fantastic when Vegas started 11-0-1. You said what a good season Roy had. Well, he is one part of that 4th line and has had to play on the 2nd and 3rd line this season which only makes Vegas' stats worse than they should be. This season also really showed how important Mark Stone is as the captain of the team. When he went out Vegas slid a ton. Him just being on the ice should make a huge difference. Vegas' physicality changes the way teams play. They are one of the biggest teams and they will hit you and come back and do it again. They wear out teams with their forecheck and create situations other teams can't do. Stone, Carrier, Mantha, Pietrangelo, and Hanifan should be rested and hopefully on the ice when the playoffs start. I do agree that Thompson should get the start in the first game. He has looked a lot better than Hill. I appreciate your information. Hope this is a great playoffs this year. Last year was amazing for us VGK fans. Let see where this goes.

This is one hell of a round 1

a match up I'm watching is Petro vs Benn with two former Blues with Vegas now.. let's go Knights

If Vegas does beat Dallas, I expect you to make a video about all the positives of Vegas. I know everyone hates Vegas and you're not a fan. So we'll see.

If Dallas can win I believe they can go all the way. They got hot at the right time, and I would rather they face Vegas now than later.

Excited!

Congrats on 312k!

No mention of Hertl for VGK? He will end up being a big factor in the series especially if Stone is limited by injury.

It's always the same thing since their first year and every year after that. Last year, every matchup Vegas went up against, the other team was always the favorite. Vegas will win back 2 back! ⚔️🏆🏆

I don't think anyone can predict this series. First, if you look at seasonal stats, they are not predictive since Vegas was always playing a lineup without many of their key players. If you look at stats, Thompson has played just as well as Ottigner down the stretch. Also, Vegas has added key pieces Hanafin, Hertel, and Mantha. However, no one knows the extent of all their players' injuries or how cohesive this team will be since they haven't played a whole game together. So, way more questions to be answered about Vegas. Dallas, what you've seen is what you get. Very strong and cohesive team.

Avs fan but that Dallas jersey is my all time favorite. Reminds me of the old series between the two when Dallas always seemed to have our number, but it’s my favorite NHL jersey by far.

Let’s Go Stars!

Dallas but never underestimate Vegas

The obvious thing here is that all the Dallas players on the board played 82 games... Vegas only has one of those. If Vegas is healthy and can find the chemistry they'll be back to the deepest team in the league that won the cup last year and set records at the start of the season.

Funny how all the injured Vegas players coming back for the playoffs

Tough series for Shannon who is a closet Golden Knights fan.😊

Always a pleasure to watch, very good analysis, very neutral, for me the best hockey channel on earth! So subscribe and like!

i love how these playoffs are looking. there isn't any obvious favourite, and while if you took the average of cup picks this season dallas would probably be the overall favourite, i could easily see them going out early in the gauntlet that is the central. still, i think they beat vegas, but it's an absolute war and goes at least 6 games

1:03, 1:06 While playing the Oilers would probably have been the easier opponent, playing Vancouver right after, get tired and beat up from that endurance run, only to face potentially a not so tired Dallas in the WCF was something they didn't want. It was plain to see after the throwing shenanigans from LA started and that VGK decided to take part of. I don't like that they did this but I'm gonna root for Vegas to win this gamble.

I enjoy dallas and vegas games, I just hope fans don't dump trash on players this year lol should be a fun series!

The fact that this is the 1v8 is insane. Dallas losing wouldn't even be a big upset. This is such a harsh matchup to get for a 1 and it's certainly way more interesting than watching Boston-Toronto yet again.

Let’s go, Stars! 🌟🌟🌟✅

It feels like an even matched series on paper. I think early series wins are key here; early momentum and stunning the opposition. Last season it felt like Dallas could never get over those Game 1 and 2 losses. Have to wonder if this one gets scrappy with the history between these teams, especially since Stone may be back. I think Dallas scraps this out in 6. Vegas looks to restructure and re-open the windows for next season.

Vegas will prevail

I would have to say the sentimental favorite is, judging from internet comments, those plucky Cup champs from Southern Nevada, the lovable Vegas Golden Knights. You have to at least admit they have a knack for proving the 'experts' wrong.

I'm a Stars fan, and even though they've been in first place most of the season and ended up finishing first in the West, I'm still not 100% on board. Call it what you will, when I watch them play I just do not see the urgency I do not see the effort, and as much as I hate to say it I do not see the Heart! It could be the coaching style, it could be my own apprehensions, whatever it is I'm just not feeling it. Got my fingers crossed and I'm hoping for the best but I will be shocked if the stars can pull this off, again even though they've been in first place basically all season.

Bloodbath

Go Stars,go !

never count the knights out...... vegas in 7

Life is not fair sometimes

Game 1 is the key. If Dallas wins, they should be fine. If not, I think Vegas will be in their heads.

VGK has the Stars number

The VGK should be getting a lot of players back in time for the start of this series, possibly Mark Stone too, and if they get everybody back, mark my words, this Vegas team will be DEEPER than Dallas is, and Vegas will ultimately be the better team. The big question is the health of the Knights. Are they able to go against what has been a remarkably healthy Stars team and beat them? As a fan I sure as absolute hell hope so, but objectively looking at the series, it’s gonna be tough, but Vegas definitely can win this series.

This all hinges upon which VGK team shows up.

Stars In 7

Going to be a tough series. As a homer VGK fan I’m not sure atm who’s gonna win. Goalies will have to be better (especially Hill) and players will have to get healthy to win this series. If they do I’m gonna say Vegas is 7 because I’m a homer lol… but if the goalies remain mediocre and can’t get healthy Dallas in 6

I'll take the Stars in 6.

Good luck in this one hockey guy...

Here’s an idea…the NHL should allow the top seeded team the opportunity to choose who they want to play against in the first round. That would be a pretty good incentive to be the top seed.

I'm sure Shannon LOVES that Games 1 & 2 in Dallas start at 8:30 local time (puck drop ~8:50).

LETS GO DALLAS!

Ive never been a dallas fan....until now

Let’s see if the Dallas crowd can maintain their dignity.

Stars in 6!!

I believe Vegas will win in 6 games. Games will be close and hard fought. With Hertl added to the team, Vegas has a big body to block the goaltender’s vision. Thompson is the better goalie right now. Hill let in 2 poor goals in the 3rd period of their last game which is why Vegas is not playing Edmonton first.

This matchup is tricky

GO Stars!

People counting Vegas out don't understand hockey. They've played the second half with a lot of injuries and now their guys like Stone and Carrier are back. VGK are probably a better team than an 8th seed.

The central division itself is really good and performing well its easy to underestimate dallas here i think at home and not against winnipeg they can do very well vegas could get the chaos though tonight

Stars in 7

im excited honestly my dream isnt justt he cup tbh this year is significantly harder looking than others- this dallas is thankfully part of that group so we should still treat it like itll be hard- but what i think bodes well in our favor is that we are a better team then the titans in our ranks- atleast when it comes to the west weve shown excellence against both the jets and the avs- that could easily flip in the playoffs so while its not a garuntee playing rival after rival is ideal the nature of the playoffs make alot of strong emotions- which i think dallas has a better chance at reaching it cause theres not much panic if they lose someone- keep seguin healthy pretty much and the team has room to adapt so i trust them. which is really what i think confidence looks like here- its not that i think any metric theyll reach garuntees success its more like their characteristics theyve shown in the regular season makes me trust them to reach their potential. they have a shot- and i believe they can make it. so bring on the knights- whata better way to start the playoffs than by slaying the intruder upon our hoard.

The conference final rematch. Vegas may not get everyone for game 1, but I feel they'll get everyone back throughout and it'll come together for them while the Dallas gets goalied. Vegas in 6.

I dont know... not a dallas fan but i think they take vegas. Depends on goaltending.

Stars in 6

For all that people complain about the Knights circumventing the cap, I think they have dug their own grave here against a Stars team that is as deep as the Mariana Trench. It'll go 7 because the Knights play the Stars well but I think ultimately the Stars get their revenge

Did he mention Hertl?

Dallas in 6......Winnipeg in 6....Oilers in 6...Canucks in 6..........Rangers in 6..............Carolina in 6.........Leafs in 6.........Rangers in 6......

I’m an Avs fan so you have to imagine I don’t say this lightly… Go Stars! Would love to see Vegas bounced round one.

I was hoping for Edmonton instead of DAL for Vegas. Ah well.

What about pwhl players when that happen???😊😂😂😂😂😂

Dallas in 7!

First off...NO WAY would the VGK want Edmonton first. Have you forgotten last years slobber knocker? Those six games were a war! If the VGK get to play Edmonton, it will be in the WCF. Second, the first three Stars players you addressed, Robertson, Pavs, and Johnston played in all 82 games! Of course Dallas is going to have a better record! They didn´t have any key injuries!!! The next two, Duchene and Hintz both played 80!!! Holy smokes! For Vegas, do we know when Stone is coming back? There haven´t been any rumblings (that I´ve heard) about Stone being ready for Game 1. One thing about Vegas getting scored on first, it seems like if a team can get one by Logan Thompson, more are to follow in quick succession. The problem is, he is really hard to get that first one past. This should be a fun series! Let´s hope the VGK can knock them out again!

I'm trying to being cautious about picking teams based how they've performed during the season because of the Bruins and Florida situation last year. The Bruins were looked at as favorites to win it all while Florida had just snuck in. Yet after being down 3-1 in the Panthers came back to beat the best team in the NHL and go on eventually to the Stanley Cup Finals. I do think the Stars win this series in 6, but I wouldn't be surprised if Vegas caught fire either.

Also what’s interesting is Vegas started the season 11-0-1, so they basically played just over 500 hockey the rest of the season.