Hockey fans will witness a new Stanley Cup champion in 2024. The Dallas Stars defeated the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night in Game 7. Dallas moves on to face the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are headed for an offseason full of tough decisions.
The Stars also got a measure of revenge with this victory. Dallas and Vegas met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, as well. In fact, they were the two Western Conference Finalists. However, the Golden Knights claimed that series in six games. Though the series was not as close as the six-game length indicated.
Dallas avenged that loss on Sunday and are moving on. But fans are living in the moment on social media. Many reactions flooded in after the final horn sound. And hockey fans did not hold back on the Golden Knights after their Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Fans tear into Golden Knights
While the fans had their say, Vegas received a goodbye message from the Stanley Cup itself. “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas… except for me,” the official Stanley Cup account wrote on social media. “Thank you for all the memories, @GoldenKnights.”
One fan took aim at Vegas fans and their rather successful history. The Golden Knights have played seven seasons in the NHL, winning one Stanley Cup and missing the playoffs just once. In fact, their loss on Sunday marks just their second first-round exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“If Vegas loses you’ve gotta feel bad for the long suffering Golden Knights fans. It’s been almost a year since they last won the Stanley Cup and in 7 seasons in the league they even missed the playoffs one year!!! 🤯
Brutal continuous heartbreak for Vegas fans,” the fan wrote.
Overall, fans rejoiced after the Stars won on Sunday. Vegas has long been criticized for its use of long-term injured reserve to bypass salary cap restraints. One fan summed up the general feeling with this post on Sunday night.
Fans used the team's LTIR controversy in their reactions, as well. Vegas placed captain Mark Stone on LTIR midseason, allowing them to clear his cap hit off the books. With that space, the Golden Knights acquired Anthony Mantha, Tomas Hertl, and Noah Hanifin for this playoff run.
“Golden Knights were so close. If they just had an additional $25M on LTIR this season, they might have won! Fine lines.” another fan chimed in on Sunday night. “Breaking news: The Las Vegas Golden Knights have been placed on LT1R (Lost the 1st round),” one more fan added after Game 7.
Stars prepare for Avalanche
The Stars have vanquished the defending champions, but this is just the beginning. Dallas is now set to take on the Colorado Avalanche in the second round. The Avalanche are no stranger to deep runs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In fact, they aren't far removed from a Stanley Cup championship in their own right.
Colorado made it to the 2022 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa had won the previous two Stanley Cups and sought a third in that series. However, the Avalanche outlasted the Lightning, winning the series in six games. It was their first Stanley Cup championship since 2001.
Currently, the Stars are in a championship drought of their own. They made the Stanley Cup Final in 2020, but lost to the Lightning. Beyond that, they have been to the Stanley Cup Final just two other times. They won it all in 1999 over the Buffalo Sabres before losing to the New Jersey Devils in 2000.
The Stars did not win Game 7 to simply eliminate the Golden Knights. Dallas wants to raise the Stanley Cup themselves later this summer. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are now wide open, and it'll certainly be interesting to see who rises to the occasion.
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