Dallas vs Anaheim

Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks

Who are they

Dallas

The Dallas Stars are a powerhouse of the Western Conference this year. Last playoffs, they faced a tough task of beating the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. The Stars went out in 6 but the Avs ended up taking the Cup. The Stars look to come out swinging in the first round, leave the Ducks in the dust, and show they are the real deal in the western conference.

Led by formidable foreigners in Kucherov, Bratt, Kaprizov and Nylander, Mr. Stars and Strips Jack Eichel is the glue that brings together this powerhouse forward crew. On defence, it’s steady and underrated. Weegar may be the most unsung superstar in the RHL. While not putting a lot of points up, he’s what every team desires in a playoff run. Where the Stars may have some issues is in point producing from the point. Erik Gustafsson had 29 points to lead the D Core. But that’s not the Stars Defensive game, it’s to defend and let the forwards flourish. Goaltending is as good as any other team with Ilya Sorokin manning the pipes.

Anaheim

The Anaheim Ducks are ran by the fun loving General Manager VideoJ and bolter some nice talent throughout the lineup. The Ducks were ousted in the first round of the 2024 playoffs by San Jose. It was a bit of a tough pill to swallow as the Ducks were the 2nd seed in their division.

This season, the Ducks were lead by a two-headed monster, the small but slick Alex DeBrincat putting up 81 points in 82 games and on defence the living Legend Roman Josi, a career Duck in AHL putting up 72 points in 82 games. The Ducks forward core is a mix of old and new, Brad Marchand, JVR, Adam Henrique, Jonathan Huberdeau and Ryan Rust are mixed in with Seth Jarvis, Patrick Laine and Connor McMichael. The Defence for Anaheim is spectacular and a massive strength, Josi, John Carlson, Brock Faber, Jaccob Slavin and the underrated Mikey Anderson. It is a absolute beast. Joey Daccord is in net and every bit the goaltender Ilya Sorokin is.

Head to Head

In three meetings this regular season, Dallas won 2 and Anaheim won 1. Their last meeting was the Ducks lone W,

X Factor

There is no doubt that the Stars have more top end firepower. There is also no doubt the Ducks defence is stronger. This series may come down to the goaltending with Sorokin and Daccord.

Both goalies have been excellent in the regular season. Sorokin has been out of this world however. In a close series, it may be Sorokin’s grace under fire that pulls this out for the Stars

Prediction

Stars in 7.