Golden Knights vs Stars 2023 NHL Playoffs series prediction

We're officially down to four teams in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While in the East the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers will meet, the West Finals should also be a thrill as the Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars meet. Game 1 isn't until Friday. Vegas knocked off Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the conference semis in six games, while the Stars were pushed to the absolute brink by the Seattle Kraken, winning in seven games. Below, we'll lay out a Golden Knights vs Stars series prediction.

Before we get into the odds and picks for this matchup, make sure to check out our online sportsbook reviews, and the top NHL betting sites.

Golden Knights vs Stars Series Odds

Team
Vegas Golden Knights	-139	-140	-145
Dallas Stars	+119	+120	+125

The Golden Knights are the clear favorite with -139 moneyline odds. They were the top seed in the West in 2022-23. The Stars come back at +119 to move on and finished in fourth place in the conference during the regular season. As for recent meetings, Dallas certainly has the upper hand, winning three in a row against Vegas and outscoring them 9-3 in the process. The series opener will be in Sin City.

Series Preview

A lot of fans and pundits believed the Golden Knights would have a difficult time getting past the high-flying Oilers, but they managed to shut down McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, to the surprise of many. Vegas had absolutely no problems scoring goals in the series, averaging more than five per game.

Jack Eichel and Mark Stone have been the leading catalysts in the postseason. Eichel has 14 points including six goals and eight assists, while Stone is on 12 points. Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault both have 10 points apiece, too.

This Golden Knights offense is very well-rounded and they also possess a solid blue line. However, they struggled on the power play in the Oilers' series and will need to clean that up against the Stars. Adin Hill has taken over the goaltending duties after starter Lauren Brossoit went down with an injury. Hill was solid in his three starts, allowing just over two goals per game.

Familiar territory for the Stars. This is their second conference final in the last four years. Dallas won a nailbiter against the Kraken in Game 7 Monday, with Wyatt Johnston scoring the winner. Out of all the teams left in the postseason, Pete DeBoer's group is scoring the most, averaging 3.75 goals per game through the first two series.

Roope Hintz has been the star of the show for the Stars in these playoffs, collecting 19 points in just 13 games. The Finn is a huge part of this team's success and will surely be an important piece in the conference finals, too.

The Dallas blue line duo of Miro Heiskanen and Ryan Suter are solid as can be for DeBoer. Not only do they hold it down defensively but they've also been consistent contributors on the offensive end. In between the posts, Jake Oettinger is one of the best netminders around but he hasn't been as elite in the postseason. The Stars need him to be a lot better if they're going to advance here.