In only their third season of existence, the Vegas Golden Knights are playing for the Clarence Campbell Bowl already for the second time. The only other time was their first year, which saw them reach the Stanley Cup Final. After an early exit last year, as well as the axing of the team's only head coach, Gerard Gallant, the Knights rebounded and managed to finish third in the Western Conference entering the pause. After sweeping the Round Robin, the Knights made quick work of the Chicago Blackhawks in the West Quarters (five games), but needed the max to defeat the Vancouver Canucks in the West Semis.
The Dallas Stars also entered the pause in a strong position, finishing fourth in the Western Conference, but struggling in the Round Robin. After losses to the Knights and Colorado Avalanche, the Stars eked out a shootout win over the St. Louis Blues to finish with the #3 seed. In their series against the Calgary Flames, the Stars went from being 10 seconds away from a 3-1 deficit, to winning the series in six, and later defeated the Avalanche in a very thrilling seven game West Semifinal series.
This, IMO, is the better of the two series. The Knights and Stars are immensely strong; both teams have great scoring depth and amazing defensemen. The only difference is in net. While the Stars have a good goalie in Anton Khudobin, the Knights boat both Robin Lehner and multiple time Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury. That is the edge the Knights have--the most important one, at that.
Prediction: Knights in seven
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