The Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars have plenty of history together. First, Pete DeBoer was the head coach for both teams, taking the Golden Knights (2019-22) to two semifinal appearances. Then, he took the Dallas Stars (2022-present) to two straight Western Conference Final appearances. Along the way, he took noted power play not-so-specialist, Steve Spott, with him.
There are also the three Stanley Cup playoff matchups the two teams have faced off in. The Stars lead the all-time playoff series, 10-8. Each team has made a Stanley Cup Final appearance once after beating the other, with the exception being last season's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Stars lost in the COVID bubble to the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-1 (2019-20), while the Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers in 2023, 4-1.
The two teams also have franchise players centered around their team. The Golden Knights have Jack Eichel, who has 38 points entering Friday's game (fourth in the NHL). The Stars has Jason Robertson, who has five goals and 15 points this season. Granted, those numbers aren't lighting up the stat sheets. However, he did score 29 goals and 80 points last season.
Sure, the two teams have plenty in common. However, one must have the upper hand in the matchup. So who's the better team in the regular season? Who has whose number between both squads? Let's dive into the numbers and see who the superior team is.
The Vegas Golden Knights have an 11-3-3 all-time record against the Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars might have the upper hand in the Stanley Cup playoffs section of the "rivalry." But contrary to the playoff matchup, the Vegas Golden Knights are 11-3-3 all-time against Pete DeBoer's current team.
The longest winning streak for the Golden Knights all-time is four games. The streak started on December 9, 2017, in Dallas (5-3) and extended through March 15, 2019, in the same city (2-1). Four games is also the longest losing streak, starting on April 26, 2022, in Dallas (3-2 shootout loss) and went through April 8, 2023, in Dallas (2-1 shootout loss).
The largest win for the Golden Knights was the last regular season match-up between both teams entering Friday's game on December 9, 2023. It was a 6-1 blowout in Dallas, which saw six different Golden Knights score goals. The largest loss came in that four-game losing streak, when the Golden Knights lost on January 16, 2023. Four different Stars players scored in that game, including Jamie Benn.
The Golden Knights and Stars have plenty of firepower on both teams. Jack Eichel and company always have a fun time with Jason Robertson and his crew. Friday's game should be no different, where fans should be treated to another delightful contest. Will the Golden Knights extend their regular-season fortunes against the Stars? Stay tuned, for the story lines will be interesting.