Vegas Golden Knights: Top 3 reasons they can beat the Dallas Stars
2. Top Talent
It’s hard to win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when your best players aren’t producing. Having a top line that can consistently produce is key. The Vegas Golden Knights have two top lines, which should give the Stars a lot of problems.
Leading their real top line is Mark Stone, who has 15 points in 15 games. But his value goes far beyond filling score sheets. Stone is committed to two-way excellence and the Golden Knights have been outstanding with him on the ice. With Stone on the ice at even strength, Vegas is controlling over 60% of the goals, expected goals, shot attempts, and shots on goal.
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William Karlsson and Max Pacioretty form the other two-thirds on the top line. Opponents have had a very hard time doing anything against Vegas with Stone, Pacioretty, and Karlsson on the ice. They have 31 points combined in 15 games, which is simply insane.
Paul Stastny, Reilly Smith, and Jonathan Marchessault form the second line for the Vegas Golden Knights, though it would be the top line on most teams. In 13 games together this postseason, they’re outscoring their opponents 5-3 at even strength and are outshooting their opponents by a good margin. The trio has a combined 27 points so far.
Defensively, the Vegas Golden Knights rely a lot on Shea Theodore and it’s easy to see why. He’s been fabulous so far and is firmly in the Conn Smythe Trophy conversation. Theodore leads the Golden Knights with 16 points. The Golden Knights also lean on Nate Schmidt, who has eight points in 15 games while controlling possession.
Vegas has a huge advantage over Dallas as for as their top four defensemen and top six forwards. It’s an advantage that’s going to be even harder for Dallas to overcome because of the depth Vegas has. Speaking of which….