The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are currently underway throughout the league, and there are a couple of interesting first round matchups. One of those is taking place in the Western Conference as the Vegas Golden Knights are taking on the Dallas Stars.
Vegas came alive with a win in the series opener over Dallas, and they will now look to take complete control of this series. The Golden Knights had a difficult regular season at times, but they are still the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Dallas won the Central Division this season after racking up 113 points during the regular season. The Stars have already given up home ice advantage in this series, but they can’t afford to suffer another loss.
The Stars are moneyline betting favorites at -160 in this matchup as they are going to look to even up the series.
Golden Knights Want to Defend
The Vegas Golden Knights allowed less than three goals per game during the regular season, and they were at that number in Game 1 of the series. Vegas is a team that kills off most of their penalties, and they are comfortable playing playoff games at a slow pace.
The Golden Knights did show that they can score goals in the series opener, and that’s typically something that they have done very well. Mark Stone got the action started with an early goal, and his return makes this team dangerous.
There was a reason that Vegas wasn’t dominant throughout the regular season, but they are going to be tough to deal with now that they are healthy again.
Stars Looking to Score
The Dallas Stars averaged 3.6 goals per game during the regular season, and that’s a big reason that they won the Central Division. Dallas has scored on the power play 24 percent of the time, and that unit will be looking to take control in this game.
Jamie Benn had a big goal for the Stars in the series opener, and he always seems to step up his play in the postseason. Jason Robertson led the team with 51 assists and 80 points during the regular season, and he needs to shine in this matchup.
Dallas is going to have to find a way to slow down the action in this game as they can’t allow the Golden Knights to get the momentum. Scoring the first goal will be another thing to monitor as the Stars need to get the momentum.
Stars Bounce Back
The Vegas Golden Knights continue to be a team that is impossible to deal with in the postseason, and this team just knows how to win games. Vegas proved how tough they were in Game 1 of the series, but things will be harder in this matchup.
The Stars did about everything right during the regular season, and this is a team that is capable of going on a big run. Dallas is going to be playing with a sense of urgency on both ends of the ice in this game, and that should allow them to come away with a win.
Bet the Dallas Stars -160 as they are able to win Game 2 of this best-of-seven series to make things even with the Vegas Golden Knights.
