Dallas Stars Archives - SinBin.vegas

On January 16, 2023

Recap: The Golden Knights hosted former coach Pete DeBoer and the Dallas Stars for an MLK Day matinee. The Stars opened the scoring 5:45 into the 1st period and held on to a 1-0 lead after twenty minutes of play.

Dallas fought off several 2nd period attacks from Vegas, keeping the Golden Knights off the board for the second straight period. The Stars extended their lead to 2-0 before heading into the 2nd intermission.

The Stars extended their advantage in the final period to 4-0. The Golden Knights just couldn’t get their offense moving enough to get one by Dallas’ goalie Jake Oettinger.

The Golden Knights’ record drops to 28-15-2 losing to Stars 4-0. Vegas will try and break their losing streak on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Puck drop vs. Detroit is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights played exactly the way you cannot play against a DeBoer team. Couldn’t find a way to get their forecheck going and it led to a listless performance the entire night. Very poor game. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars at T-Mobile Arena.

Playoffs A Reminder Health Isn’t Only Factor For Success

On May 9, 2022

In Stats

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Watching the Stanley Cup playoffs certainly has a different feel without the Golden Knights as participants. As we’ve been over many, many times since their season finale, injuries played a significant role in why the team is on the outside looking in. Halfway through the first round, it’s clear Vegas needed more than just their health to advance.

Western Conference Playoff Summary

14-0 Team Scoring First
8-6 Home Team
4.25 Winning Team Average Goals
3.22 Average Goal Differential Per Game
1.8 Power Play Goals Per Win
10-4 When Scoring PPG

Down the stretch, the Golden Knights had trouble picking up the first goal of game, received very little output from their power play, and lacked the ability to climb back and win from behind. On most nights in the playoffs, those elements would be a recipe for disaster. Not surprising, early consistent scoring is paying off in the postseason. So far, there have been 14 games played in the Western Conference, the team that scored the opening goal went on to win to all of them.

Naturally, lower-scoring teams focus on winning defensive battles helping them survive in a long series. Last night the LA Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 and evened the series by playing their signature suffocating style. The Oilers are +7 in goal differential but are in no better shape than the Kings.

The sixth highest-scoring team in the NHL’s regular season has only mustered up three goals in three games. The Calgary Flames averaged 3.55 goals per game in the first 82 but have been held to 2 goals or less in the last three. Yet, the 2.84 goals per game Dallas Stars hold a 2-1 series lead.

Western Conference Goals Scored Per Game

Colorado 5.33 (1 ENG)
Edmonton 4.25
Minnesota 3.25 (2 ENG)
St. Louis 3.00 (1 ENG)
Dallas 2.00 (2 ENG)
Nashville 2.00
LA 2.50 (1 ENG)
Calgary 1.0

Subtract empty netters, and the averages decrease for several Western Conference contenders. Making most games much tighter than the averages show. No matter who Vegas faced off against their periodic offensive struggles could’ve haunted them in the first round.

Turn back the clock to Vegas’ run to the semifinals last year. In six games against the Montreal Canadiens, the Golden Knights averaged 2.18 goals per game, scored the opening goal twice, and were blanked on the man-advantage.

Without a doubt, the Golden Knights’ front office is tuning in nightly like all of us. We’ve heard dozens of times the NHL is a copycat league, it’s possible VGK execs are picking up plays for their grease board. Why not take a few notes on Colorado’s lethal PP, or some offensive strategies from Edmonton, Minnesota, or St. Louis. Maybe, it’s best to watch Dallas and LA’s suffocating, everything to the outside type of defense. It may be the difference between making semis or the finals.

DALLAS STARS 3 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 (41-31-7 91 PTS) – SO (1-0)

On April 26, 2022

Recap: The Golden Knights needed points in Dallas to keep their season alive and showed their urgency late in the opening 20 minutes. William Carrier gave Vegas a 1-0 lead :49 seconds before the period expired.

Dallas evened the score after the midway point of the game but Vegas would regain their lead in the waning seconds of the middle frame. Chandler Stephenson put the Golden Knights ahead 2-1 with :04 seconds left in the 2nd period.

It didn’t take long for the home team to tie the game 2-2 in the final period. The game would head to overtime and eventually be settled in shootout. On the 13th shot in SO the Stars clinched the victory with the only successful attempt.

The Golden Knights record drops to 42-31-7 falling to the Stars 3-2 in shootouts. Vegas picks up only one point and trail Dallas by four points for the final Wild Card position. The Golden Knights travel to Chicago for their second to last game of the season. Puck drop against the Blackhawks is set for 5:30 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: Vegas did not play poorly by any stretch of the imagination in this game. They scored first, they unknotted a tie, and they pushed until the very last second in both regulation and shootout. In the end, the skills competition got them again but it goes so much deeper than that. VGK have won just two games of their last seven. They simply aren’t good enough to be in the playoffs and that hurts. (Recap by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.

Reliving The Previous Two Games Against The Dallas Stars This Season

On April 26, 2022

In Team Ops

Remember when we used these photos for the playoffs in the bubble. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Playoff “Photographer” @BadSportsArt)

It’s not often we get to say this and actually mean it, for the Golden Knights tonight is truly a must-win. If Game 80 results in a loss to the Stars, the season will be over for the Golden Knights. If it happens in regulation, it truly is mathematically over, but even if it happens in OT, there will be no coming back for Vegas.

Here’s the good news. This season, these two teams have faced off twice and the Golden Knights were the victors in each. To get ready for tonight’s game, it seems wise to look back at the previous two to see who played, what went right, and what went wrong for the Golden Knights.

Lineups

October 27th, 2021 – at Dallas

Carrier-Stephenson-Krebs
Marchessault-Karlsson-Smith
Dadonov-Roy-Kolesar
Howden-Leschyshn-Miromanov

Hague-Pietrangelo
Martinez-Theodore
McNabb-Coghlan

Brossoit

December 8th, 2021 – vs Dallas

Pacioretty-Stephenson-Stone
Marchessault-Karlsson-Smith
Janmark-Roy-Dadonov
Carrier-Kolesar-Amadio

Hague-Pietrangelo
Theodore-Whitecloud
McNabb-Coghlan

Lehner

Projected for tonight

Pacioretty-Stephenson-Stone
Marchessault-Karlsson-Roy
Janmark-Eichel-Dadonov
Carrier-Amadio

Hutton-Pietrangelo
McNabb-Theodore
Martinez-Whitecloud
Coghlan

Thompson

In the last game, the home game in December, the Golden Knights were about as healthy as they’ve been all season, save for Eichel having yet to make his debut. The game in October however was a much more limited lineup missing both Pacioretty and Stone, and using Miromanov as a forward.

How the games went

October 27th, 2021 – at Dallas

Vegas conceded early, just 2:20 into the period, on a tipped goal from a shot from the point. The Golden Knights’ defensemen, McNabb and Coghlan, failed to get inside position and Luke Glendening had an easy tip-in chance to steer it past Brossoit. The Golden Knights tied almost instantaneously though as Shea Theodore intercepted a clearing attempt and threw the puck on net. It was stick-checked by a Stars player and fluttered along the ice towards the goalie who was fooled by the speed. A bit of a fluky goal.

Vegas allowed another tipped goal early in the 2nd and trailed for a majority of the game after that. Jonathan Marchessault ripped home a one-timer with the Vegas net empty to send the game to overtime. Evgenii Dadonov would win it in OT.

The game was dominated at even strength for the most part by the Stars who outshot Vegas 34-16, outchanced the Golden Knights 44-21, and racked up 16 high danger chances to VGK’s just seven. The final tally in expected goals was 3.03 to 0.9, yet the score showed 2-2 at the end of regulation.

Vegas could not keep the Stars away from the front of the net and needed the best game Laurent Brossoit has ever played as a Golden Knight to even keep them in it. It wasn’t pretty at all, but it was an OT victory in the end.

To be fair though, VGK were playing the 2nd night of a B2B, three games in four nights, and had travel issues getting into Dallas the night before/day of.

Former DeBoer Captain: VGK’s “Great Transition Game” Creates Problems For Opponents

On December 11, 2021

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Dallas Star center Joe Pavelski served four-plus seasons as Pete DeBoer’s captain. Both had great success from 2015-2019, making the postseason each season together, including a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2016. So, it’s fair to say Pavelski knows his former coach well on and off the ice. This week the Wisconsin native explained what type of team the Golden Knights were.

They’re a team that if you give them two-thirds of the ice, they’ve got a great transition game. They take off and you saw that. They go at times and make plays. -Joe Pavelski, Stars center

During their time together in San Jose, DeBoer and Pavelski won 59.6% percent of their games. The former Sharks captain averaged 31 goals per season including 38 on the power play. In Vegas, DeBoer’s top offensive forwards Max Pacioretty, Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault have been as dangerous as Pavelski was in San Jose. Since becoming a Star, Pavelski has faced his former boss eight times, seven of which were postseason contests. Without reminding fans of the Stars success in the 2020 Western Conference Final, after Wednesday it’s clear Dallas is comfortable rolling out the same blueprint that eliminated Vegas in the bubble.

Against the Stars in the 2020 WCF, the Golden Knights averaged 36 shots per game but lost four times by exactly one goal. Although Vegas won 5-4 there were similarities on Wednesday night. DeBoer’s squad outshot Dallas 45-23 and trailed for most of the game. At this point, we can assume it’ll be tight 60 minutes every time these two meet.

You can’t take things for granted. We spent quite a bit too much time in the d-zone. They were around the net. -Joe Pavelski, Stars center

It wasn’t just the forwards that flourished under DeBoer in San Jose. Check out sharpshooting defenseman Brent Burns’ numbers from 2015-2019. Burns averaged 75 points per season under DeBoer. Several Golden Knights defenseman are seeing an increase in opportunities because of the team’s extended pressure in the opponents’ zone. DeBoer’s active blue line created a dangerous dual-threat offense that other teams have had trouble with in the regular season.

As a 16-year veteran, Pavelski found success playing with and against DeBoer’s game plan. It’s possible his knowledge of being on a transition team in San Jose aids his current club against Vegas. Either way, the former Sharks captain rightly describes and understands why the Golden Knights are a deep threat. The one unfortunate aspect of the Pavelski-DeBoer connection is that they’re both chasing a championship. Each has appeared twice but neither has been sized for a ring. It’s possible with Jack Eichel in the mix, DeBoer’s quick rush/shot suppression strategy works in the postseason, and they’ll probably need to eliminate Pavelski’s Stars along the way.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 5 DALLAS STARS 4 (15-10-0 30 PTS)

On December 8, 2021

Recap: The Golden Knights came out firing the puck, outshooting the Stars 10-5 in the 1st period. Each team was awarded a power play and only Dallas was able to cash in to take a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

Mark Stone tied the game immediately in the middle period, scoring his second goal of the season :19 seconds in. The Stars would respond with back to back power play goals, making them 3 for 3 on the man advantage. Late in the period Jonathan Marchessault gave Vegas life with his 11th of the season.

The two traded goals midway through the final frame but Stone and his linemates would come through again. The captain tied the game with five minutes remaining and Max Pacioretty broke the tie a minute later.

The Golden Knights record improves to 15-10-0 with their 5-4 comeback win against Dallas. Vegas will next face the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night. Puck drop against the Flames is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: In an absolutely crazy game, the Golden Knights’ 5-on-5 dominance won out over their incompetence on both special teams. VGK hounded the Stars all night at even-strength and ended up outshooting Dallas 45-23, but it took a furious comeback in the 3rd to find a way to win it. Two games against Dallas now this season, two miraculous wins, and four big points. (Recap by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars game at T-Mobile Arena.

How 122 Minutes Changed The Direction Of The Golden Knights Season

On October 28, 2021

In Game Analysis

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

It’s amazing how quickly the tides can turn for a professional sports team. For example, the Atlanta Braves were floundering below .500 in late June, holding the tenth worst record in the National League. Now, Atlanta is three games away from winning the World Series. Okay, maybe the Golden Knights two game Central sweep isn’t of the same magnitude but the tone surrounding the team and the fanbase is a stark difference from what it was on Tuesday afternoon.

There’s no arguing who’s lineup was more talented over the past two games and especially on Tuesday night. Down to their bare bones the Golden Knights did something that not even the organization expected to happen, win back-to-back road games in Colorado and Dallas. It was a tall order but coach Pete DeBoer and his makeshift roster performed as if Mark Stone was leading the way. However, the absence of Stone and others were replaced with gutsy performances by the current, less-talented Golden Knights.

Clearly, DeBoer got through to his players before the road trip began on Tuesday. In case it wasn’t loud enough the de facto leaders (Pietrangelo, Marchessault, Smith, Karlsson, Martinez) made sure the message was heard. Based off their last six periods (and OT) the healthy players were highly motivated and reminded the league on back-to-back nights that their season wasn’t finished.

It was a gutsy road trip. It was a gutsy win again today, short bench, had more guys leave during the game, so we were basically playing three lines. Guys dug deep all week. Tough circumstances and guys found a way. It was a real character test and I thought we did a great job. -Pete DeBoer

One of the reasons Vegas was able to survive and collect four enormous road points was the brilliant play from their goaltenders. As expected, Robin Lehner was Colorado’s foil, and backup Laurent Brossoit put his team in a position to win the game down the stretch in Dallas. Without sharp goaltending this week would look a lot bleaker. Several times over the last two games Vegas could have lost confidence and let the game get away from them. Up 2-1 in Colorado, the Avalanche had more than a period to tie the game but Lehner and his teammates refused to let that happen.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 3 DALLAS STARS 2 (3-4-0 6 PTS) – OT

On October 27, 2021

Recap: The Golden Knights fought off an early 1-0 deficit with a goal of their own almost two minutes later. Vegas defended the rest of the penalty being outshot 15-5, but the game remained tied 1-1 after the opening twenty minutes.

Dallas took the lead midway through the middle frame on a deflection by Vegas backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit. The Golden Knights had quality chances towards the end of the period but couldn’t cash in.

Trailing 2-1 the Golden Knights made a strong push in the final period. Vegas had several chances and finally the dam broke with a wicked shot from Jonathan Marchessault tying the game with about a minute to go. Moments later Brossoit came up with the save of the night to keep the game tied and sending it to overtime.

In OT, it was Evgenii Dadonov who stuck one past Khudobin and the Golden Knights steal not one, but two points on the road.

The Golden Knights record improves to 3-4-0 after winning back to back games in Colorado and Dallas. Vegas will next hit the ice on a Friday for a Nevada Day evening matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. Puck drop is scheduled for 5PM.(Recap by Jason)

Analysis: Vegas came in playing the second-half of a back-to-back and the third game in four nights, plus they had travel problems, arriving in Dallas just a few hours before the game. They looked every bit of what you’d expect for a team in that situation for the first 35 minutes of the game. Somehow, they managed to stick around in the game until a pair of heroes emerged. They were Marchessault and Brossoit, and somehow, almost miraculously, the Golden Knights come back with four points in hand. (Recap by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars game at American Airlines Center.

Who’s To Blame For The Golden Knights Underachieving… Again