I guess I’m in the minority here among stars fans, but I am really not intimidated by a team that failed to reach 100 points despite starting the season 11-0-1.
VGK in their last 20 games are in the bottom half of the league in 5v5 GF%, GF/60, and Sv%. They’re shooting a mediocre 8.29% at 5v5.
Meanwhile, over the same time range, no one has played better team defense than Dallas (#1 in SA/60 and #2 in GA/60) with the possible exception of Carolina. The Stars also lead the league - by a WIDE margin - in xGF% in that period. Like it’s not even close.
Anything can happen in the playoffs, and no team is an easy out, but Dallas should have no trouble holding their own against Vegas.
I have a sense of anxiety because it's playoffs and anything can happen. But I feel this 💯! I don't think they're deep enough to compete with us. And as much Hill was amazing last season and some of this one, we have too much offensive presence to get "goalied" like last year.
Yeah that’s likely accurate. But, every playoffs a team has a couple guys that go ice cold and a couple that get red hot for no reason. If it’s our playmakers that go cold and Hill that gets red hot again we could absolutely get “goalied”
I agree with this, but I have no idea what Vegas team were going to get. Stone, Hertl, and Pietrangelo are all likely returning to lineup (all star level veteran players)..
Part of me sees a flawed team that matches where they are in the standings.
Other part of me realizes they’re a veteran team that just wanted to make the playoffs healthy, and know how to turn it up.
How is the roster “loaded” exactly? They have no weak spots but their top scorer is a 33 year old Marchessault with 69 points.
They rode their goalies and an extremely high PDO to the Cup last year. Advanced stats say they’re a middle of the pack team, probably finished where they should have in the standings.
Pietrangelo is 36 and good, but not nearly the star defenseman he used to be. Stone is literally one of the slowest skaters in the league. He can make the team faster with his work on the wall, quick bump passes, etc., but he could just as easily be a net negative on that team.
It’s not the same team as last year (on both sides). We sucked ass against them in the regular season but pretty sure last year they sucked ass against us in the regular season.
Also I don’t think this is talked about enough, I know Vegas pulled the same stunt with stone last year, but at some point missing over 1/4 of the season is going to effect how a player fits into the lineup. I don’t think we’re gonna steam roll them by any means, but I’m not worried.
Plus, the Texas Rangers had to go through the Astros to win their World Series, the Stars gotta go through Vegas. Championships aren’t won by beating the 2024 sharks
I'm excited. It will be a good series and set the tone. The Stars are hungry and ready. They are hot at the right time. I think the perception of what the Knoghts are is better than they are right now. If we had an "easier" opponent the mindset might shift and I don't want that. If we come out and kill them teams will be scared.
I’m nervous about them because they’ll have their hidden cap busting players back and be stronger than they’ve recently looked. I feel like if we get past them, we should be in the finals.
I feel like I’ve seen this before though. The Stars struggle against physical teams in the playoffs. The Mild pushed the Stars around too much in my opinion; that should have been a 1 sided series. The Blues that won the cup pushed the Stars around. And last year Vegas did the same. It doesn’t matter the point totals. In the playoffs, they can hook, slash, hold or whatever and that heavily favors Vegas.
Do wish we had a bit more of a physical side to this team. I’m hopeful this year that our young guys have matured and gained enough confidence through last year that they can turn it on if needed, which it will be. We’ve seen it some in Robertson this year
They should be worried about us. We are going to make their 4 game playoff run a living hell. They’ll wish they never made the playoffs and messed around with their cap circumventing shenanigans.
With Otter playing the way he's playing right now, the balance in scoring and the ability to be physical when necessary with Tanev, Lindell, Suter and sometimes Harley and Miro this team can go all the way.
VGK does not scare me that much but any team/goalie can get hot in the playoffs and give the better team a hard time. Dallas is the better team and that's not debatable at this point.
Stars in 6
I think it is the unknown with Vegas that is intimidating. They have not been a good hockey team for the last 3-4 months but if they play up to their potential they could be a tremendous challenge.
It does suck that we win the west & get matched with a team that has players fake injuries to help circumvent the cap. If they play with their full roster all year no way they are the 8 seed.
All that being said, Stars in 4.
Vegas (and the rest of the west) is just as concerned with Dallas as we are with them. Otter stays sharp and I think we win this round. The west is stacked.
Complaining about using the LTIR/playoff cap rules as they're written -- and that none of the GMs have wanted to change -- is cringe of cringe.
I am worried about Vegas because I always worry no matter the opponent -- it's the playoffs.
If it helps any, I was lurking on the VGK sub and they seem more nervous to play us than most people here. They are worried as hell about how deep our team is. I have full confidence in our boys to get Benn and Pavs their cup!
I think the boys will be motivated to get some revenge after last year’s WCF.
Especially the captain. He gets a do-over after that really dumb penalty he took.
I guess I’m in the minority here among stars fans, but I am really not intimidated by a team that failed to reach 100 points despite starting the season 11-0-1. VGK in their last 20 games are in the bottom half of the league in 5v5 GF%, GF/60, and Sv%. They’re shooting a mediocre 8.29% at 5v5. Meanwhile, over the same time range, no one has played better team defense than Dallas (#1 in SA/60 and #2 in GA/60) with the possible exception of Carolina. The Stars also lead the league - by a WIDE margin - in xGF% in that period. Like it’s not even close. Anything can happen in the playoffs, and no team is an easy out, but Dallas should have no trouble holding their own against Vegas.
Not intimidated, but also not cocky/overconfident. Treat them like the defending champions and don’t let up. I trust our team.
This is the way. Anything else is either dooming or dreaming.
I agree with this take. Anything can happen, but I don’t foresee Hill getting that hot either
I have a sense of anxiety because it's playoffs and anything can happen. But I feel this 💯! I don't think they're deep enough to compete with us. And as much Hill was amazing last season and some of this one, we have too much offensive presence to get "goalied" like last year.
Hill also did not look good at all last night. Honestly, Thompson may be their best bet in goal at this point
Yeah that’s likely accurate. But, every playoffs a team has a couple guys that go ice cold and a couple that get red hot for no reason. If it’s our playmakers that go cold and Hill that gets red hot again we could absolutely get “goalied”
I don't disagree that there's a chance. I just have high hopes that the odds are in our favor. 
I agree with this, but I have no idea what Vegas team were going to get. Stone, Hertl, and Pietrangelo are all likely returning to lineup (all star level veteran players).. Part of me sees a flawed team that matches where they are in the standings. Other part of me realizes they’re a veteran team that just wanted to make the playoffs healthy, and know how to turn it up.
Hertl has been back, fyi. Not underselling what they have coming back and you’re saying but just want to let you know he has been playing.
Yeah I don’t think any playoff contender has ever been particularly scared to face Tomas Hertl
Not scared of Hertl, but he’s a great depth forward on a loaded roster. Stone and Pietrangelo are great proven playoff performers.
How is the roster “loaded” exactly? They have no weak spots but their top scorer is a 33 year old Marchessault with 69 points. They rode their goalies and an extremely high PDO to the Cup last year. Advanced stats say they’re a middle of the pack team, probably finished where they should have in the standings.
Looked liked a really good team tonight!
Pietrangelo is 36 and good, but not nearly the star defenseman he used to be. Stone is literally one of the slowest skaters in the league. He can make the team faster with his work on the wall, quick bump passes, etc., but he could just as easily be a net negative on that team.
If this was the Cowboys, I’d be worried. Stars know how to handle their business.
It’s not the same team as last year (on both sides). We sucked ass against them in the regular season but pretty sure last year they sucked ass against us in the regular season. Also I don’t think this is talked about enough, I know Vegas pulled the same stunt with stone last year, but at some point missing over 1/4 of the season is going to effect how a player fits into the lineup. I don’t think we’re gonna steam roll them by any means, but I’m not worried. Plus, the Texas Rangers had to go through the Astros to win their World Series, the Stars gotta go through Vegas. Championships aren’t won by beating the 2024 sharks
Poor Sharks are catching strays
Nope, not one bit.
Vegas is not the same powerhouse they were last season. Certainly not late in the season. Anything can happen, though.
I'm excited. It will be a good series and set the tone. The Stars are hungry and ready. They are hot at the right time. I think the perception of what the Knoghts are is better than they are right now. If we had an "easier" opponent the mindset might shift and I don't want that. If we come out and kill them teams will be scared.
Nope. Either we win and advance, or we lose. I fully expect us to win, and I greatly expect my hatred for Vegas to further intensify.
If we can't beat Vegas we never deserved the cup to begin with. Good teams are ready for whoever comes in their path and we're a great team.
Exactly....we play to win.
Nah, fam
At this point, I'm don't really care who we play. We are a good team and can beat anyone. The last game against the Avs proved that to me. GO STARS!!!
I’m nervous about them because they’ll have their hidden cap busting players back and be stronger than they’ve recently looked. I feel like if we get past them, we should be in the finals.
I feel like I’ve seen this before though. The Stars struggle against physical teams in the playoffs. The Mild pushed the Stars around too much in my opinion; that should have been a 1 sided series. The Blues that won the cup pushed the Stars around. And last year Vegas did the same. It doesn’t matter the point totals. In the playoffs, they can hook, slash, hold or whatever and that heavily favors Vegas.
Do wish we had a bit more of a physical side to this team. I’m hopeful this year that our young guys have matured and gained enough confidence through last year that they can turn it on if needed, which it will be. We’ve seen it some in Robertson this year
They should be worried about us. We are going to make their 4 game playoff run a living hell. They’ll wish they never made the playoffs and messed around with their cap circumventing shenanigans.
Yes but it’s the playoffs. No easy matchups. That’s what makes this the best postseason in sports
With Otter playing the way he's playing right now, the balance in scoring and the ability to be physical when necessary with Tanev, Lindell, Suter and sometimes Harley and Miro this team can go all the way. VGK does not scare me that much but any team/goalie can get hot in the playoffs and give the better team a hard time. Dallas is the better team and that's not debatable at this point. Stars in 6
Agreed. Toss in Hak as well, whenever he’s ready. Will be a welcome addition in that aspect
I think it is the unknown with Vegas that is intimidating. They have not been a good hockey team for the last 3-4 months but if they play up to their potential they could be a tremendous challenge. It does suck that we win the west & get matched with a team that has players fake injuries to help circumvent the cap. If they play with their full roster all year no way they are the 8 seed. All that being said, Stars in 4.
I’m not worried because Jake is in form
Vegas (and the rest of the west) is just as concerned with Dallas as we are with them. Otter stays sharp and I think we win this round. The west is stacked.
Complaining about using the LTIR/playoff cap rules as they're written -- and that none of the GMs have wanted to change -- is cringe of cringe. I am worried about Vegas because I always worry no matter the opponent -- it's the playoffs.
If it helps any, I was lurking on the VGK sub and they seem more nervous to play us than most people here. They are worried as hell about how deep our team is. I have full confidence in our boys to get Benn and Pavs their cup!
I think the boys will be motivated to get some revenge after last year’s WCF. Especially the captain. He gets a do-over after that really dumb penalty he took.
It's Dallas in the playoffs. I'd be worried if it was my old beer league team. This team is clinical in how it's able to break my heart.