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Previewing the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars First-Round Matchup

The Vegas Golden Knights are seeing a familiar foe in the Dallas Stars. Here are the three biggest storylines in the upcoming series.

By Jacob Walters |
Vegas Golden Knights v Dallas Stars
Vegas Golden Knights v Dallas Stars / Sam Hodde/GettyImages
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They say familiarity breeds contempt. Seeing the same team over and over again will lead to losing respect for said opponent. The Vegas Golden Knights are facing off against the Dallas Stars in the playoffs for the third time in franchise history. Each team has a series win, resulting in a Stanley Cup Finals appearance. But for the Stars, it's a chance to avenge their Western Conference Finals loss from last season.

Still, the Golden Knights must not let that happen in their quest to repeat. But the defending champions need a blueprint to stop the Stars once again. Here are the three biggest storylines heading into the match-up.

1. For the Vegas Golden Knights, They See A Familiar Face

Dallas Stars v Montreal Canadiens
Dallas Stars v Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

Everywhere the Vegas Golden Knights go, it seems like that man is there, waiting for them. Pete DeBoer faces off against the Golden Knights for the fourth time in franchise history.

In fact, the head coach has been involved in all playoff runs for the Golden Knights. He coached for three seasons in Vegas, leading the Golden Knights to two Western Conference Finals appearances before being fired in 2021-22. The Golden Knights are hoping they can get another one over DeBoer this season.

2. The Golden Knights Might Also Get a Familiar Face Back

Nashville Predators v Vegas Golden Knights
Nashville Predators v Vegas Golden Knights / Ethan Miller/GettyImages

Mark Stone has been practicing with the Vegas Golden Knights after recovering from a lacerated spleen. With him recently practicing in a red no-contact jersey, his return seems imminent. In essence, he's the most interesting man in the NHL now, with teams awaiting his next move.

But the question remains: When will he return, if at all? The captain's veteran presence would greatly boost the Golden Knights's chance of repeating as Stanley Cup champs. After all, nobody moves the team like Stone. The Winnipeg native's scoring knack (16 goals, 37 assists) and defensive abilities would boost Vegas to new heights.

3. How to Attack the Dallas Stars

Winnipeg Jets v Dallas Stars
Winnipeg Jets v Dallas Stars / Sam Hodde/GettyImages

On the note of Pete DeBoer, his teams are known for pushing the puck up the ice and generating shots (11th-most in the NHL with 2,587). The former Vegas Golden Knights head coach is big on maximizing scoring opportunities, which Vegas will face again. It's on the Golden Knights to establish the forecheck and generate turnovers at every turn.

It's also on Adin Hill to return to early-season form for the Golden Knights if he gets the nod. The Dallas Stars have one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL, led by Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, and Roope Hintz. The Golden Knights must go toe-to-toe with Dallas on every line, battling for the puck and staying in the offensive zone. Otherwise, DeBoer will get the last laugh.

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