Dallas Stars: 3 takeaways from Game 1 win over Golden Knights
It wasn’t pretty, but the Dallas Stars shutout the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 to win 1-0.
The Dallas Stars managed to pull out a huge Game 1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, beating them 1-0. For the first time this postseason, Vegas looked quite mortal. Perhaps the hangover from their emotional Game 7 victory on Friday had something to do with it. But regardless, the Stars now have a 1-0 series lead.
It wasn’t the game everyone was expecting. People were probably expecting a more high-scoring affair. But this is 2020, so of course, that didn’t happen. Instead, we saw a defensive showdown from the Stars.
Let’s take a look at three takeaways from Game 1.
3. Flipping The Script Again
For most of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Dallas Stars showed a new side of their team by becoming offensive juggernauts. They were able to win two high-scoring series against the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche.
Heading into Game 1, the Stars were averaging 3.31 goals per game, the fourth-highest rate in the postseason. For a team that averaged just 2.58 goals per game during the regular season (sixth-lowest in the NHL), that’s quite a dramatic change. They won in the regular season by focusing on defense.
In Game 1, the Dallas Stars got back to their roots by shutting down the Golden Knights. They held Vegas to just 25 shots on goal, which is the fewest the Knights have had all postseason. Vegas has been relentless on offense all postseason with their speed and depth and Dallas did an incredible job limiting them.
Even their underlying stats were impressive. The Stars out-chanced the Golden Knights 28 to 15 and had nine high-danger chances while allowing just five. They also had 51 shot attempts compared to Vegas’ 48. Dallas made the most of their shot attempts and did a terrific job of keeping Vegas from getting quality chances.
It remains to be seen if the Stars will be able to limit the Golden Knights for the rest of the series, but Game 1 was certainly very encouraging.
2. Powerful Penalty Kill
The Vegas Golden Knights had four power plays in Game 1. Heading into Game 1, they had converted on 20.5% of their chances. The Golden Knights weren’t able to score on any of those power plays in Game 1 and the Stars deserve a lot of credit for that.
On their four power plays, in 4:34 with an extra man on the ice, Vegas only managed to put up three shots on goal against Anton Khudobin. The Dallas Stars were able to keep the Golden Knights from using their power play to grab some momentum.
Quietly, the Stars penalty kill has been very good this postseason. Among teams who advanced at least one round, their 82.3% penalty kill percentage ranks fourth in the league during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Though their goaltending has been carrying the load (they’ve allowed the most expected goals against per hour on the penalty kill this postseason among the remaining teams), they say your goalie has to be your best penalty killer and that’s certainly true with the Stars.
Sunday’s performance was a great one from their skaters. Vegas got virtually nothing on the power play and Dallas was able to keep them from getting any second chances. They’ll need more performances like Game 1 if they want to beat the Golden Knights. Especially if the Stars have trouble staying out of the penalty box.
1. Following Their Captain
Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn has faced a lot of criticism in recent years. Most of it has been warranted. He’s even had his team’s CEO declare him to be [horse****] (warning: language). Benn’s had a very impressive postseason, though, and it continued in Game 1.
From the moment the puck dropped, Benn was engaged. He was physical and relentless. Benn created chances and won a lot of his puck battles. The Stars tend to feed off their captain. When Benn’s engaged and making an impact, the Stars follow suit.
Dallas created eight scoring chances with Benn on the ice and he was involved in most of them. Three of them were created by the captain himself. Benn was also a force on defense, as the Golden Knights created just two scoring chances against with Benn on the ice.
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Of course, it’s easy to see his impact when he gets the primary assist on the only goal of the game. Benn fought to get the puck to John Klingberg, who scored. It’s fitting the Stars only goal came from a defenseman, considering how important their defensemen have been this postseason. But it’s also fitting that Benn made the goal happen and set the tone for his team.