Together with the Golden Knights, they overcame the Kings. The next game will be much more thrilling. Because they intend to blast out the stars.

Together with a resilient mindset and veteran leadership, they overcame the Los Angeles Kings in a physical, hard-fought series that tested their resolve at every turn. After dispatching the Kings, the defending Stanley Cup champions now prepare for what promises to be a more thrilling—and potentially explosive—contest in the next round.

That’s because they intend to blast out the Dallas Stars.

In the world of professional hockey, few matchups create as much buzz as Vegas vs. Dallas. On one side, you have the reigning champs—deep, skilled, and built for the playoffs. On the other, the Stars have been rising steadily, combining youthful explosiveness with gritty, seasoned play. Both teams are hungry. Both believe they belong in the Stanley Cup Final. Only one will get there.

The Golden Knights have been here before. They understand what it takes to win in May—and more importantly, in June. After pushing aside the Kings in a convincing playoff performance, Vegas now turns its full attention to the Stars, knowing that this series will be faster, tighter, and filled with firepower.

The first-round series against Los Angeles was a classic Pacific Division showdown: physical, defensive-minded, and brutally intense. But Vegas had the edge when it mattered most.

Jack Eichel led the charge offensively, showing poise and pace in key moments. His line consistently tilted the ice in the Knights’ favor, and his ability to operate in tight spaces neutralized the Kings’ aggressive forecheck. Mark Stone’s return to the lineup was equally impactful; the Vegas captain provided defensive structure and timely offense, and his leadership steadied the ship when games got chaotic.

Goaltending, too, was a difference-maker. Logan Thompson, once seen as a question mark, delivered a consistent and confident performance across the series. His glove saves in Game 4, including a jaw-dropping denial on a one-timer from Adrian Kempe, turned momentum completely in Vegas’ favor. Thompson didn’t steal games—but he made the big saves when his team needed them.

With their defense activating smartly and depth players like Ivan Barbashev and Michael Amadio chipping in crucial goals, Vegas proved too much for the Kings. In five games, the Golden Knights were through.

But if the Kings series was about controlling the tempo and grinding down a gritty opponent, the Dallas series will be something else entirely.

The Dallas Stars aren’t the Kings. They’re deeper, more dynamic, and possess a dangerous blend of speed and scoring. Jake Oettinger can steal games in net. Miro Heiskanen is a breakout machine on the blue line. And then there’s the high-octane forward group, led by Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and the always-dangerous Joe Pavelski.

The Stars swept through their first-round opponents with a confidence that bordered on dominance. Their offense exploded for goals in bunches, and their transition game punished every misstep. They play with a swagger that’s hard to ignore—and harder to stop.

This next matchup won’t be about containment alone. Vegas can’t just defend and counter. They’ll need to go on the offensive—to impose their will, to blast out the Stars.

And they know it.

To beat Dallas, Vegas will have to lean into its strengths: speed through the neutral zone, cycling in the offensive end, and depth scoring. Against a team like Dallas that thrives on turnovers and quick strikes, puck possession becomes not just important, but critical.

Expect Vegas to roll four lines with aggression. Chandler Stephenson and William Karlsson must neutralize Dallas’s top centers. If they can shut down Hintz’s line while producing offense of their own, Vegas gains a decisive edge.

Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, the pillars of Vegas’ blue line, will also be key. Their ability to manage the puck and make quick exits under pressure will limit Dallas’s forecheck success and allow Vegas to dictate pace.

But perhaps most importantly, Vegas needs to finish its chances. The Stars are too talented to give second opportunities to. The Knights must convert in the high-danger areas—net front, slot, and rebounds. Oettinger isn’t unbeatable, but he’s close when given time to square up. Vegas must create chaos in front of him.

Mark Stone may not be the flashiest player in the series, but he could be the most important. His ability to disrupt passing lanes, win board battles, and make smart reads in the defensive zone changes the game.

Against Dallas, Stone will likely be tasked with limiting Robertson’s space—no easy feat, considering the winger’s creative instincts and deceptive release. But Stone thrives in these matchups. When healthy, he’s arguably the best two-way winger in the NHL.

If he can force turnovers and transition quickly the other way, Stone could be the series’ silent killer.

One area of concern for the Golden Knights during the Kings series was their underwhelming power play. At times, their zone entries looked sluggish, and their set plays failed to create high-quality chances. That won’t cut it against Dallas, whose penalty kill has been opportunistic and aggressive.

Vegas must simplify things. Quick puck movement, net-front screens, and rebounds—this is playoff hockey, not a skills competition. Getting a player like Barbashev to the front of the net and letting Theodore or Marchessault rip from the point could pay dividends.

On the penalty kill, Vegas has been strong. Their commitment to structure and active sticks should continue to serve them well. But they’ll face a different challenge now. Dallas runs a more fluid power play with interchangeable parts and sharp off-the-puck movement. Pavelski’s presence in the bumper spot is always dangerous, and Robertson’s ability to find seams will test the Golden Knights’ PK discipline.

This series carries emotional weight. It’s a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Final, where Vegas outplayed and outlasted Dallas to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final. The Stars haven’t forgotten.

That loss has been a motivating force all season in Dallas. They want revenge. They want redemption. And they want to take down the champs in the process.

Vegas, meanwhile, is aiming to prove last year was no fluke. In a league where parity reigns, going back-to-back is incredibly difficult. But the Golden Knights believe they’re built for it.

Every player on the roster understands the target on their backs. They welcome it.

T-Mobile Arena in Vegas is one of the most electric buildings in hockey. The fans there don’t just support—they ignite the team. And against Dallas, they’ll need to be louder than ever.

The energy from Game 5 against the Kings was palpable. Every blocked shot, every hit, every goal erupted into thunder. That energy needs to carry forward.

On the road, Vegas will have to weather storms. American Airlines Center in Dallas is no quiet venue either. The first 10 minutes of every game will be crucial. Silencing the crowd and settling into their systems will be a top priority.

But when the puck drops in Game 1, all the noise fades. It comes down to execution.

This is what playoff hockey is all about: two heavyweight teams, each with championship aspirations, going toe-to-toe in a best-of-seven showdown. It’s speed, strength, and strategy all colliding under bright lights and higher stakes.

The Golden Knights want to defend their crown. The Stars want to rip it away.

Vegas knows they can’t simply contain Dallas. They have to break them. They intend to attack, to overwhelm, and ultimately—blast out the Stars.

If they succeed, a second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final awaits. If they falter, they’ll fall to a team with a score to settle and the weapons to back it up.