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Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights | THW 2024 NHL Playoff Preview Show
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May 1, 2024
In the latest 2024 NHL Playoff Preview show, host Matthew Zator welcomes in Ben Fisher and Jacob Strozyk to set up the upcoming first round series of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights. 0:00 Intro 3:26 Golden Knights' Journey to the Playoffs 5:38 Stars' Journey to the Playoffs 8:27 Golden Knights Players to Watch 11:10 Stars Players to Watch 14:16 Keys to Victory For the Golden Knights 16:17 Keys to Victory For the Stars 17:46 X-Factors 20:49 Series MVP 24:16 Bold Predictions 26:40 Predictions For The Series Check out Ben and Jacob's writing: Ben Fisher - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/bfisher/ Jacob Strozyk - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/jstrozyk/ Subscribe to The Hockey Writers Substack - https://thehockeywriters.substack.com/subscribe
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0:00
Hello, everybody, and welcome into another playoff series preview here at the Hockey Raiders
0:07
YouTube channel. I'm your host, Matthew Sator, and I am joined in by two writers here
0:12
The Hockey Riders, Ben Fisher, covers the Golden Knights, and Jacob Storzak going to step
0:17
in for the Dallas Stars here. This is a matchup. I don't think anyone anticipated coming into this season because everyone thought that the
0:26
Golden Knights, Benny Style Cup champions, would. be finishing higher than the final wildcard spot in the West and the Dallas Stars
0:35
I think everyone anticipated them to be a good team this year. So I think it's just the fact that the Golden Knights are here against the Stars to start
0:42
So Ben, how's it going? Yeah, well, you bang on. I mean, hey, the Stars held serve
0:48
If anything, they were, didn't expect 113 points out of them maybe
0:53
But, no, I mean, the Golden Knights, it's funny. started with points in their first 12 games and everything looked like they just steamrolled
1:04
through any Stanley Cup hangover and we're ready to go and it was just as soon as they put
1:11
together a few wins it felt like there were a few losses just right around the corner I think
1:16
they lost three or more five different times this year so whether it was injuries whether
1:23
it was a little fatigue. Obviously, there were a few moving parts changing in and out
1:30
but this isn't exactly where we expected to find ourselves, no. Yeah, it is an interesting way
1:37
I mean, they did make their moves at the deadline, again, bringing in a big star, Thomas Hurdle coming in
1:44
He looks like he's fit in pretty well into the lineup since he's come back from the injury
1:49
So, yeah, we'll see you how it goes. And Jacob, how's it going? I mean, you're in now for another
1:55
But thanks for covering the stars. Yeah, I'm here to cover all the teams you need because I just like hockey and I like talking about it
2:03
Playoffs is a fun time for me, despite the fact that my usual Buffalo Sabres don't really make it
2:08
So this is still fun for me to get to talk about it. So, no, I like the stars
2:14
I've followed them. I mean, casually, my brother is also a huge fan of them
2:18
So I get plenty of stars info from him throughout the regular season
2:22
And so I still feel like I'm up to date on it. I'm excited about their playoff run
2:27
I don't think I had them this high at the start of the season
2:32
But, you know, I'm not exactly complaining. They got a lot of players I like and I think it's going to be a good series
2:38
Should be good. Jacob, when it comes to the stars, I won't mention any skates and creases or anything like that
2:44
Now, that's just offensive. And we can fight about that in the parking lot afterwards
2:51
All right. Well, going into this primer of the regular season, the Golden Knights actually won the season series
2:58
against the Dallas Stars, three and O. But all three of the, two of the games are before the new year
3:04
And then, actually, all three of them were actually. They were all before the calendar turned to 2024
3:10
Last one being a 6-1 win for the Golden Knights. The other two were close games, both overtime, one shootout
3:16
So, I mean, not really saying much on that. I mean, it's, they were close games
3:21
so I'm only one real lopsided one. I'll start with you, Ben
3:27
You know, you mentioned a little bit about the Golden Knights gone through this season. Talk about how they've kind of gone through
3:33
and how they played against the Dallas Stars. Do you feel that they have a little bit of upper hand
3:39
being that they didn't lose to them during the season? Yeah, I mean, despite the fact that this season
3:47
may not have met every expectation they had going in, I don't think there's a lack of confidence here, even though it is a 1-8 matchup effectively
3:56
I don't think that Vegas is certainly seen it that way. I mean, you mentioned the regular season series, and it was really more that the 6-1 was an anomaly
4:06
but it was really more a continuation of the Western final last year because you had a six-game series
4:13
half of them went to overtime, and sure enough here, you had a shootout win for Vegas
4:18
and I think it was another OT win. So pretty tight games apart from the 6-1
4:24
which, I mean, given a regular season game, December, anything can happen. Yeah
4:29
But so I don't know how much stock you put into those three head-to-heads
4:35
especially as you mentioned, Matt, that they came quite a while ago now and long before the trade deadline overhaul
4:41
So, I mean, I don't think that they have any reason to fear Dallas necessarily
4:51
And I think if the Golden Knights look at this as not necessarily playing up to potential
4:58
and now being able to lock into postseason mode, then I think they're ready to clean
5:06
the slate and focus on the now rather than worry about the last 82
5:12
They kind of stumbled at the end of the season too. They lost quite a few games coming in, and they did
5:17
they did lose the last game of the season two to make this matchup
5:21
because if they were to won, they both were able to get into the Pacific Division and play the Oilers
5:29
and playing against the ducks, which you'd think there'd be a win. But end of season, it happens against these teams
5:37
Jacob, over to you with the Dallas Stars. I mean, they had pretty much no weaknesses to their game that seems like that they can do anything
5:45
They are a great defense, a great forward core. great depths throughout their lineup and a mix of veterans young guys wide johnston had a great season
5:54
um real you know younger guy and having over 30 goals and then you got the ageless joe pevelsky
6:00
doesn't seem to it seems like he's an android or something he just keeps playing and he keeps putting
6:06
up great season so how does stars go through the season and just playing golden nights in general there
6:12
i mean yeah you hit the you hit the nail on the head there the the best thing about delis is their
6:17
depth up and down the lineup forward group, the decor, and even the goaltending
6:23
The goaltending was probably the weakest point for them this season because Jake Ottinger
6:27
is normally that all-star caliber goaltender and he had those, I'm going to say fairly
6:32
average goaltending numbers compared to what standard he really sets for himself
6:36
But he does generally shine a lot more in the playoffs. So I don't think that they're going to have to worry too much about goaltending, even if it is
6:45
against Vegas. Vegas also has that great depth. up and down their lineup as well
6:50
So matchups is probably one of the toughest things to deal with in playoffs
6:55
So it's going to be interesting to see how they kind of decide to deploy
7:01
how the coaches decide to deploy their teams. And you can't erase the connection that the stars have to the Golden Knights and their
7:09
coaching in Peter DeBoer, who used to coach them. So there's a lot of connections to be made
7:14
There a lot of matchups that you could really work in and see what he gets creative with to give them the edge And I think that does give them the edge the fact that he knows a good portion of the
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roster and the scheme and how everything kind of goes for them. And the stars have been consistent
7:32
all year. They didn't really have too many, you know, big losing low points. They were just
7:37
floating and doing extremely well throughout. So I don't think they have anything to necessarily
7:42
worry about as far as their own gameplay. So, folks, focusing in on shutting down the Vegas All-Stars as well as getting to the scoreboard as quick as they can, I think is going to be the biggest key for them in the series
8:00
Yeah, I mean, 52 wins on the season finished not that far off of winning the President's trophy
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They were close to the Rangers. They set a great season overall
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I mean, winning the West on the last day of the season, just getting that point
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And then they did win that game too. so they would have got it regardless. Yeah, it's great team and great teams, actually
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Like you said, they're going to be playing some, I think it's going to be a tough series. All right, Ben, moving over some players to watch
8:28
Who are you watching in this series specifically? I mean, we have the stars, the guys that are the stars on this team
8:34
but they also got some underrated guys that seem to, and that's where they kind of thrive
8:40
Last season was the same way. They had scoring throughout their lineup. Who are you watching in this series
8:45
Yeah, I mean, well, Jacob mentioned the depth and that certainly was solidified at the deadline
8:51
But Matt, you mentioned Thomas Hurtle off the outset here. And to me, he's really the big, I guess, the game changer here
9:04
simply based on the fact that they're using him as the number two center
9:09
And he did look pretty good in the few games that we saw from him
9:13
but realistically it's about six games at the end of the season
9:18
Like, I mean, he hasn't had the chance to gel with everybody with his linemates yet
9:23
And we haven't really seen the full effect of what he can do
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And so in that regard, there is a bit of an unknown that's tied to our top six
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tied to the top of the lineup. And I think that there's a lot of potential there
9:39
I mean, we picked him up for a reason. and there's a lot of playmaking skill there
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But we'll see, I mean, it can't be a work in progress come game one
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It has to be a bit more of a finished product. And so if he can bring that to the table, then obviously that's a huge asset to have in the lineup
10:04
And if not, then, I mean, they do have the depth to address it
10:09
And Bruce Cassidy can certainly line up shuffle if necessary. but against a good team like Dallas
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it's going to be tough sledding if he's not on his game
10:22
And just a quick, quickly, do you see Mark Stone entering this series at any point
10:28
I mean, he's been skating, but there's no real projection of he's going to play
10:32
I mean, that non-contact jersey still seems to indicate that it's a bit of a ways away
10:40
but again again as someone who's been following the golden nights I've seen
10:47
fans around the league roll their eyes more than once at our franchise
10:52
and I could definitely see that coming along once again in the next couple weeks here
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he's going to return in these playoffs that's for sure unless they get swept or something weird
11:05
and then yeah doesn't have time to come back but we'll see
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Jacob, over to the stars. I mean, like we mentioned a few of the names there
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Who are you watching? I mean, there's lots of guys that could potentially do stuff
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I just want to mention one guy just before. You may mention him, but Logan Stan Cove
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and I think could potentially be something in this series. He's a guy that just seems like could be a playoff guy
11:31
Who are you watching for the stars? Yeah, I'll touch on Stankovone real quick because he's a real fun player to watch
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and he's been one of my favorite prospects to watch for the stars over the past little while
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So I love that when he broke into the NHL, he started producing right away and he's really getting his footing
11:48
And I think that's going to be great for the stars going into a playoff run. I'm sure I'll talk about him again, but I'll just touch on that quick
11:56
As far as players to watch in general, we talked about Pavelsky, so I'll touch on him as well
12:02
He's a known playoff performer. He constantly produces goals. he constantly plays in clutch situations
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that can do just about everything you need for him. He plays center and wing
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He can win draws. He does literally everything you could possibly imagine
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at a nice ripe old age for the NHL. So he is 100% one of the players to watch
12:23
But on the flip side, as far as age goes, I want to hone in on Thomas Harley
12:29
I think he is going to be a massive impact player for the stars in this playoff series
12:37
He had an outstanding regular season, and I really think he has the capacity
12:41
to bring that into the playoffs and perform up to that same standard
12:46
as a really good two-way defenseman. Yeah, Thomas Harley was one of the more surprising guys
12:53
this season for scoring, I mean, on the back end. So, yeah, he's definitely a guy to watch
12:59
As for Joe Pavelski, I mean, I can't. I'm just looking at him. He's 39 years old
13:03
He is, I'm turning 39 in October. So, I mean, he's the same age as me pretty much
13:11
Yeah. And he just plays, he's so durable, too. He has so many 82 games seasons
13:16
He just doesn't miss games. He's not, never hurt. And he still puts up 20 plus goals every year and 60 plus points
13:26
I mean, the guys just, it seemed, like I say, he seems like he's a robot or something
13:30
I don't know when he's going to retire. Bionic. when someone finally takes him out it seems like even back when he was with the sharks he got
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knocked down i know it was a controversial hit in the way that everything happened i know was against
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golden knights but you know still even that didn't keep him down and out he was ultimately
13:50
you know back up in the saddle and playing up to a great standard so it it's going to take unless
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someone takes him out i think that's the only way you're really knocking pavelsky out of a playoff series
14:01
the same gritty style of play he came right back to too absolutely yeah yeah yeah nine goals in the
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playoffs last last year he's has 13 goal playoffs season he's got 14 goal one i mean yeah like you say
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constant performer in the playoffs even at the age he is all right ben now over to you uh on
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keys to victory uh how are the golden nights going to beat the stars this time around um i mean
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we've talked a lot about the the depth of Dallas and I think that it's imperative to
14:35
Vegas to certainly match that the back end I found for as many as many major names as we have defensively Petrangelo Hannah Finn Martinez McNabb Theodore I don think that it was a great defensive performance this year
14:54
Like goals allowed were sort of mid-tier in the middle of the league
14:58
And I just found that even though our back-in was largely healthy
15:03
I know Alec Martinez was gone for a little while, but we did have most of our pieces
15:09
especially after Hannafin came over from Calgary. And it just, for whatever reason
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I feel like we were letting in more than I would have expected
15:25
And part of that is Aiden Hill had on and offseason in net
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And so I think to go back to your question about keys to victory
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that obviously things tighten up quite a bit in the play. playoffs and the Golden Knights, they responded to that as well as you can last year
15:45
It paid off for them. And I think we need to get right back to that
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And whether that's between the pipes or whether that's on the blue line, then I think there has to be a little bit more of a defensive-minded focus
16:01
And that's how they won the Stanley Cup, right? They played a really good defensive system and kind of frustrated teams
16:09
throughout and yeah they got to get back to that i don't think like you said wasn't really
16:13
prominent throughout the season right so yeah yeah it's definitely jacob what about the stars
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keys to victory for them i i say they've got they've got a lot of depths they got seemingly
16:24
have no weaknesses but what what do they need to do to get through the golden nights
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i really think it's as simple as keeping up with their consistency they have scoring up
16:34
and down their lineup they didn't have any 40 goal scores but they had a bunch of
16:39
guys with 20 or more goals on their roster. I think there was like seven or eight of them at one point
16:45
And their top goal scorer was Wyatt Johnston at 32. So there's depth
16:51
And there was consistency in the scoring up and down that lineup
16:55
And in the playoffs, that matters a lot more than relying on just your first and second
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line for your primary scoring. They still got plenty out of line three and line four
17:04
And that is going to be massive for them. So consistency and continuing to use
17:09
aggregate scoring as opposed to just all-star scoring. Yeah, that's definitely that's, you know
17:16
looking at guy like Logan Stancove and who had such a great start to his career there
17:20
and he could be someone that, you know, adds to that too. So at the bottom of the lineup, third, fourth line
17:26
So it is going to be a big thing. I think for both teams, the depth scoring coming to play
17:32
So and same thing with the defense. Both defenses can can add to the offense as well
17:37
So yeah, definitely something to watch. there for keys of victory. All right
17:42
Well, speaking of Stancoven, he could enter this conversation. Jacob, an X factor in this series
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It doesn't have to be a player. It could be something else. But what do you got as an X factor
17:55
I would put Stancoven possibly in that conversation just as maybe like a wild card
18:01
dark horse type of thing. But I'm not sure if he's the outright X factor that would be game changing for the
18:07
stars in this type of a series. Instead, for me, it's goal-tending. It's going to rely heavily on can Jake Ottinger really get back to his playoff form
18:15
and not what he was doing this regular season where he was looking a little shaky and kind of inconsistent amongst a team of very consistent players
18:24
So bringing him back up to speed up to the level of performance that people are expecting out of him
18:29
I think really would be the X factor in shutting down the Vegas offense
18:34
and maintaining the outstanding level of defense at the stars are capable of pulling. off
18:40
Yeah, that's a good one. Onda wasn't consistently really good throughout the season, but you know what you can do
18:47
in the playoffs. It seems he can step up his game. So I don't know if there's a worry there, but yeah, definitely a question mark
18:55
Ben, what about what about the Golden Knights for an X factor? I'm going to, well, I'm going to say with a caveat here, I'm going to go with the top line
19:05
Now, in the playoffs last year, you had Jack Eichel, Jonathan Marcheseau, and Ivan Barbashev
19:14
who sort of captured lightning in a bottle. They were just absolutely dominant as a number one line and piled up the points
19:23
Of course, Marcheseau went on to the Khan Smyth, but, I mean, really all three of them put together
19:28
pretty good resumes for that. And they haven't been, I say the caveat because they haven't been
19:35
playing together as much. Cassidy's been mixing it up a little bit. But, I mean, March or so
19:44
has been sort of a consistent threat all season. Ikel, when he's been healthy, he's been fairly
19:51
solid. It's been Barbashev, who started off pretty slowly. He seems to have come on over the last
19:57
20 games or so. And I mean, I don't know if you can necessarily expect
20:05
the same kind of production out of them. I'm not sure if that's fair. But if you can have just sort of some pretty dangerous offensive threats at the top of the lineup
20:20
and again, to start to maybe challenge Ottinger a little bit, as you mentioned
20:25
then I think that's the type of spark that can really get the entire lineup going
20:30
Yeah, top line was probably their MVP, like all three of them
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throughout the playoffs and they haven't been as dominant this season. Like you said
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they're not, haven't been together all the time. But Eichols had a great season
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He's coming in with some confidence, I think. So, yeah, they could reignite it
20:49
We'll see. All right. Speaking of series of MVPs, I'll stay with you
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Ben. Who do you see as the biggest difference maker or series MVP for this one
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I'll, I'll go back an net. I mean, Aiden Hill, again, you talk about lightning in a bottle last spring
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He came on in the second round, I think. He came on for actually Laurent Broussouin
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And he really wasn't the number one option in that. But he just turned it on right away and became sort of something of an unlikely hero for the Golden Knights
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And of course, that helped land him a nice cushy two-year contract, get the number one job
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So it sort of helped carry him through the rest of the way
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And we're almost back where we were at this time last year
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He was shaky. I mean, we've got you've got Logan Thompson right there as a viable
21:58
I mean had been number two now might even be a 1A and so I think I don think that Aiden Hill is quite as secure as it seemed early in the season So if he can settle in early if he can maybe even take a bit of an edge in the
22:18
goaltending battle, then I think that would be a monumental difference for the golden
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nights and also a nice additional confidence builder in terms of making them feel a little
22:28
more comfortable making them feel a little more defensively secure. They don't have three goalies this time, I guess
22:36
They had Jonathan Quick last year, too, in the mix. Yuri Patera is making his way into the series
22:42
Yeah, right. We'll see. I don't know if they want to do that
22:47
They have to rely on that many goaltenders, but, yeah, that's something
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They probably didn't want to do last year. No, they definitely did, just forced into it, right
22:54
All right, Jacob, who's series MVP for you for the stars? I mean, probably an easy one is Joel Pavelski because he probably will be
23:04
But who do you got? Yeah, easy answer is probably Pavelsky, Robertson
23:10
You can make an argument for maybe Hans or Johnston, too. But I'm going to throw a bit of maybe a slight curve here and say it's going to be the captain, Jamie Ben
23:18
I think he's going to play hard. I think after everything that went down in the playoffs last season
23:24
with him in Vegas. I think it's going to be a very emotional series for him. So I think he's going to
23:31
jump at every opportunity to make a big play. And he's going to step up and really continue to
23:38
produce like he has all season. He had, what was it? It was 21 goals, 60 points in 82 games. And
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that's one of his better seasons as of late. And I think he's going to carry that over. And I really
23:50
think it's going to make a huge difference by the end of the series. So I'm going to go with
23:54
name you've been yeah and and you can't remember this tyler sayagans in there that test in there
24:01
too they it's not so much depth they got these guys in the lower end of the lineup and i'm forgetting
24:06
about and mat duchesne mat duchain i yeah we haven't mentioned his name either it they got so many guys
24:13
they got a lot of guys um all right uh bold prediction now i you got there's probably some nice ones
24:21
here i i i jacob i'll start with you a bold prediction for this series bold prediction
24:27
stankovin scores i'm going to say eight goals and finishes with another
24:36
we'll say a total of 12 points by the end of the series i think he lights it up
24:40
oh i was my my first thought was a prediction involving stancovin so i he's one of my
24:46
favorite players i so same we're gonna we're gonna ride the hype train
24:51
if you watch prospect corner during his draft here and i I hyped him up quite a bit
24:57
All right, Ben, what about you a bold prediction? All right. Well, Jacob sort of set the tone here with specific numbers too
25:06
And so do what I've got. Well, I mean, I'm going to go with the guy we haven't talked about yet
25:14
Chandler Stevenson for Vegas. He's had mostly a bit of a disappointing year
25:20
I mean, he's going into a contract year. So he's looking into a contract year. He's looking to sort of send a message and to get his name out there
25:30
And it hasn't gone well for him to this point. He's quietly come on in the last little while
25:35
And he seems to be gaining a bit of a spark on the hurdle line
25:41
And I think that he's a guy that can really, really has the potential to rise to the occasion
25:50
And so in that sense, I'm going to say that as a bit of an unexpected producer, I'll put him down
26:00
I won't be quite as bold as Jake's here, but I'll put him down for five goals in the series and a bit of an eye-opening player that you may not necessarily be counting on right now
26:13
He's been an underrated player all the time in Vegas. I mean, he seems to jump into that top line center role and was like, he's not really
26:20
a top line center, but he seems to be able to do it
26:25
So he's making about two and a half million, 2.75, I think. So he's not being paid that way yet
26:33
No, he will. He definitely will. His next contract is going to be, I think, more in line for what he is
26:39
All right, let's get to regular our predictions for this series. Who's going to win it
26:43
And Ben, I'll start with you. Who's winning this series and how many games
26:47
you know what i mean not to uh not to do any backstabbing here but uh quite frankly i've i've
26:56
watched a lot of this golden nights team and even in spite of their trade deadline splashes
27:02
they haven't looked quite right and so i'm going to say that uh that the stars who have just uh
27:08
again we mentioned the lack of weaknesses and just been a bit of a machine this year
27:13
uh i think they uh roll through a pretty tough test and uh i'm going to say
27:17
six games. Right. Jacob, but what about you? What do you got
27:23
I think between the depth and the potential for how good the goaltending can be, I think it's going to
27:27
be an out absolute war, and it's going to go seven games, and I think
27:31
the stars will finish it off. I'll even throw in a double overtime
27:35
game seven winner. Oh. You got a game seven hero? Screw it
27:44
Make it stank open. Drops that eighth goal in double overtime. I have a lot of expectations on this guy
27:53
A rookie is first playoffs and he's going to be a great. I can't wait. I can't wait
27:59
I want to say, I'm going to say that the stars coming out of this too
28:03
I agree with Ben there with, they just don't look the same, especially down the stretch here
28:08
They're not, they're backing into the playoffs. They're not at their best
28:13
So I'm going to say it is going to go seven games, though. This is going to be a long series. Lots of overtime
28:17
I predict that too. So I like that long overtime prediction. So I'm going to go one better
28:25
I'm going to go to the triple overtime. This is going to be a late night. I like it
28:30
So I am game. I don't know about the game seven, but it's going to be in the series
28:35
It'll be in the series at some point. So but stars in seven. And Stan Kovans is going to have a good series
28:41
And Pavlsky, I think it's going to be a big part of it too. All right
28:46
Well, that's going to be a fun series to watch. It was fun last year, too, in the Wednesday conference final
28:51
But this time it's in the first round, and we'll see how it all goes. But thanks, Jacob
28:54
Thanks, Ben, for coming on the show, talking this series, previewing it. Make sure checking out all of Ben's stuff on this series
29:01
I know if Jacob is going to dabble in the stars at all. We don't really, we don't have any writers for the stars
29:06
So maybe you may see him take on that. But yeah, it's going to be fun
29:13
But until our next preview video, we have whatever you're watching. there's a few out there
29:18
But take a look at all our preview videos with the YouTube channel. But until next time
29:22
we'll see you on another show on the Hockerator's YouTube channel here
29:26
Thanks, guys
#Hockey