The Dallas Stars have reached the halfway point of their journey to the Stanley Cup. It’s been a treacherous road up to this point as they had to fight through the wilderness and at sea. Now it’s time to take on their toughest opponent yet, the Vegas Golden Knights.
This will not be a battle for the faint of heart. The Stars have learned valuable lessons in each of the first two rounds to prepare them for this huge matchup with the winner advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. It all comes down to this now. Let’s take a look at the three keys of the game for game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights Preview: 3. Stars’ offense has to get going early
I can tell you the Vegas Golden Knights is not going to be a team that will wait for the Stars to make the first move. They will have to earn that first goal against the Golden Knights by attacking their net early and often just like they did in game 7 against the Seattle Kraken. The offensive game plan the Stars had in game 7 last round is one that they need to carry over in game 1 tonight.
Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights Preview: 2. Control their four-headed dragon
I can tell you the Stars will have their hands full on defense tonight as the Golden Knights have four players that the Stars need to defend. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Chandler Stephenson, and Jonathan Marchessault are all players that the Stars need to keep an eye on and the puck away from. Marchessault literally threw the Golden Knights on his back in the series-clinching game against the Edmonton Oilers. If they can’t tame their four-headed dragon, it’s going to be a very quick series.
Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights Preview: 1. Take it one shift at a time
The Stars need to take this game one shift at a time in order to come out victorious tonight. Let’s not completely throw in the towel after the first goal that the Golden Knights score. This is playoff hockey and anything is possible (Toronto-Tampa Bay Series). If the Stars can believe in each other and take it one step at a time, the Stars can get out to an early 1-0 series lead after tonight.
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