The Vegas Golden Knights have three possible opponents in the first round depending on how the final two games of the season go.

The Vegas Golden Knights have three possible opponents in the first round depending on how the final two games of the season go. They can play the Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, or the Edmonton Oilers. 

This season the Golden Knights were 3-0-0 against the Stars, 2-2-0 against the Canucks, and 1-1-1 against the Oilers. 

If the standings don't change, the Golden Knights will play the Stars in the first round. Despite the 3-0-0 record against the Stars, it won't be an easy matchup. The Stars are third in goals per game and have the fifth-best power play in the league. They produce their offence with the abundance of depth they possess. Eight players on the Stars have more than 20 goals, nine have more than 50 points and that doesn't include Thomas Harley who's scored 15 goals and 47 points as a 22-year-old defenseman. 

Their speed and relentless attacking style cause problems for every team in the NHL. For the Golden Knights to beat the Stars, they'll need all six of their defensemen to be at their best and they'll need their forwards to offer a ton of defensive support.

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The Golden Knights can play the Canucks if a couple of scenarios happen. If the Canucks win out and the Stars lose their final game the Canucks can clinch first place in the West. If the Golden Knights pass the Nashville Predators for the first wild-card spot and the Canucks remain first in the Pacific they could match up. The final way is if the Oilers pass the Canucks in the standings and the Golden Knights pass the Los Angeles Kings for third in the Pacific. 

The Canucks are a hard-checking defensive team that scores at a very efficient rate. They're sixth in the league in goals-per-game but 26th in shots on goal per game. The previous two games these teams have played have been high scoring but a series between the two would likely be the opposite. 

The Golden Knights and Oilers matched up last year in the second round. The Golden Knights came out on top winning the series 4-2. The Oilers are a different team this time around. They play a more structured style of hockey now that Kris Knoblauch is the head coach but they still have the high-end skill to bust a game wide open. Of course, they have their flaws but with Connor McDavid on the roster, any series is winnable for the Oilers. 

The teams could match up if the Golden Knights finish third in the Pacific or if the Golden Knights take the first wild card spot and the Oilers finish first in the Pacific.

In each series, the Golden Knights have different advantages and disadvantages. The Stars and Oilers are better offensively but the Golden are better defensively. The Golden Knights create more offence than the Canucks but the Canucks are one of the best counter-attacking teams. The one advantage the Golden Knights do have over each possible opponent is their championship pedigree. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vegas Golden Knights site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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