Vegas once again is the dark horse during the playoffs. We forget this team is less than three years old, yet they are firmly among the league’s elite. After seeing off the Canucks in seven games in the semi-final (still piecing my broken heart back together), the Knights will be a formidable showdown for Dallas.
Front Runner:
Their standout performer by far has been blueliner Shea Theodore. Currently standing on 16 points from 15 games, Theodore has excelled at both ends for Vegas. Already coming off a career high 46 points in the regular season, the 25-year-old British Columbia native has been a major at T-Mobile Arena. Mark Stone is matching him point for point with 15, but Theodore is well ahead of more established stars like Marchessault, Karlsson and Pacioretty.
Going into the conference finals, Theodore has a plus/minus of +6 (only Alec Martinez has better with +12) and has been the Golden Knights standout on the powerplay notching up six points on the one the leagues best units.
After being offered up by Anaheim in the expansion draft, Theodore has emerged as Vegas’ go-to man and Dallas will have a hell of a time containing this threat. This not being the only adversity he has faced on his journey his battle with cancer prior to the season- makes his achievement impressive and admirable at the same time!
Darkhorse:
Mark Stone
Hardworking, physical, contributing. Mark Stone is not the flashiest player on the Golden Knights roster but his 200-foot game has been a vital cog in the machine that is this year’s Knights.
Not only is Stone making the competitions life difficult, but he is keeping pace with Shea Theodore when it comes to scoring prowess in the Stanley Cup playoffs. If Vegas is able to lift the Stanley Cup, I will not envy the decision for the voters.
Robin Lehner
Okay… hear me out. While Vegas has gone with a goalie tandem throughout the NHL playoffs (much to the madness of a certain NHL power agent) you need a hot goalie to get anywhere in the postseason. With that being said I think Lehner could have a chance to steal the Conn Smythe.
Lehner when in the net is able to take advantage of a strong defensive team in front of him, but is making the saves his team needs to bail them out. Currently leading the remaining playoff goalies in shutouts and navigating his way through controversy with the ease of an unscreened shot from the point should Vegas shut down the Stars and whoever escapes from the East he will have a shot.
Stay tuned for pieces about the Eastern Conference finals teams and who our 4th Line Podcast writers think will take home personal silverware if their team lifts the greatest trophy in all of sports! Check out who was selected for the Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders!