Remnants of last year’s bitter defeat lingered in DeBoer’s mind, as the Vegas Golden Knights had ousted Dallas in the Western Conference Final before clinching their first Stanley Cup. However, amidst these mixed feelings was an overwhelming sense of joy at finally overcoming his former team in the playoffs with the Stars.
“Obviously, winning this series meant a lot to us. We were eager for our chance,” DeBoer expressed after the series-concluding 2-1 triumph Sunday night. “We believed we had done everything right throughout the year to secure the top seed. Drawing a team like Vegas, who I believe is even stronger than last year, presented a significant challenge. Overcoming the adversity of being down 2-0 speaks volumes about our resilience.”
After dropping the first two games at home, the Stars rallied to clinch a hard-fought series. With both teams tallying 16 goals and the margin never exceeding two goals at any point, it was a closely contested battle.
“I don’t think either team can claim complete dominance throughout the series or perform at their peak consistently,” remarked Bruce Cassidy, who succeeded DeBoer as the Vegas coach two years ago. “Both teams faced challenges, and credit must be given to the opposition.”
Now, the Stars face a swift turnaround as they prepare to host Game 1 of their second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, just a week after the Avalanche wrapped up their opening round.
Meanwhile, Vegas heads into the offseason reflecting on what could have been, plagued by injuries throughout the season. Captain Mark Stone, who missed significant time due to injury, only returned for the postseason, underscoring the team’s resilience despite adversity.
DeBoer, boasting an undefeated record of 8-0 in Game 7s across four teams, including the Stars, celebrated the victory with a few beers, already looking ahead to the next series. It’s a testament to the team’s dedication and perseverance, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of their playoff journey.
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