NHL playoffs: Stars vs. Golden Knights scores, results, highlights from Western Conference Final

Getty Images

The Vegas Golden Knights are off to a 2-0 series lead over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final after collecting overtime victories in the first two games.

Vegas earned the top seed in the Western Conference with a strong regular season, and they only needed five games to eliminate the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. Against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, Vegas managed to limit one of the league's most high-powered offenses at five-on-five, and took the series in six games.

Jack Eichel, in his first postseason appearance, has more than lived up to expectations. He leads the Golden Knights in goals (6), assists (8), and points (14). Eichel is an early contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy, and another great series against a stingy Stars defense will get him one step closer to the award.

In their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild, the Stars fell behind 2-1 before taking over and winning the last three games. Last round, Dallas got all it could handle from the Seattle Kraken, who pushed the series to seven games. A couple of shaky outings from Jake Oettinger gave the Kraken some life, but the Stars completely controlled the decisive Game 7.

Throughout this playoff run, Roope Hintz has established himself as one of the best young players in the league. He is second among all postseason scorers with 19 points, just one behind Connor McDavid, who has now been eliminated. Alongside Hintz is Joe Pavelski, who has scored eight goals in eight games at the age of 38. That duo was the bane of Seattle's existence last round.

Here is how to keep up with the schedule and results from the Western Conference Final.
*if necessary

Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Stars 3 (OT)

The Golden Knights took care of business in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, beating the visiting Stars 4-3 in overtime thanks to a two-goal performance from William Karlsson and a game-winner from Brett Howden.

Dallas opened the scoring via a Jason Robertson goal with just over a minute remaining in the first period, but it was all Vegas from then. Karlsson scored the game's next two goals to give Vegas its first lead, and after Dallas' Roope Hintz scored a game-tier at 4:01 of the third, Teddy Blueger swung it back in Vegas' favor with a goal of his own at the 9:20 mark.

But just when it looked like Dallas was done, Jamie Benn scored a game-tying goal with less than two minutes remaining in regulation to send it to overtime. Overtime, however, was a quick affair as Howden scored the game-winner by banking the puck off Stars goalie Jake Oettinger at 1:35 of the extra period. The Golden Knights are now 2-0 in overtime games this postseason, while the Stars are 0-3.

ONLY NEEDED 1:35 OF OVERTIME IN THIS ONE.

Brett Howden tucks one home and the @GoldenKnights take Game 1! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/HKnd45xjY1
— NHL (@NHL) May 20, 2023

Vegas' victory spoiled the return of Stars coach Pete DeBoer, who was fired by the Golden Knights after coaching the team the last three seasons. DeBoer will hope for redemption in Game 2 as the series will stick in Vegas.

Game 2: Golden Knights 3, Stars 2 (OT)

The Golden Knights beat the Stars in overtime for a second consecutive game, winning 3-2 this time despite trailing for almost the entire third period. Jonathan Marchessault tied the game at 2-2 at 17:38 of the third period; then Chandler Stephenson finished the Stars off with a game-winner just over a minute into the OT period. The Golden Knights remain outstanding in overtime this postseason, as they're now 3-0 in such games, while the Stars are 0-4.

⚔️ CHANDLER STEPHENSON ⚔️

The @GoldenKnights win it in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/W0EgbxOZeE
— NHL (@NHL) May 21, 2023

Dallas' Miro Heiskanen quieted the crowd early by scoring a wrist shot goal less than three minutes into the game, but Vegas' Mark Stone responded with a power play goal at 10:08 of the first period to even it at 1-1. Dallas would then take control, as Jason Robertson gave his team the lead back with a snapshot goal at 9:21 of the second period while goalie Jake Oettinger was masterful in the net.

But with less than three minutes left in regulation, Marchessault scored the equalizing goal off a nifty pass from Jack Eichel to tie the game in the eventual overtime victory.

Stephenson, Marchessault, and Stone each had a goal and an assist, while goalie Adin Hill had a productive afternoon in the net with 26 saves.

Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Stars 0

Just 7:20 into Game 3, the Dallas Stars had fallen behind 3-0 against the Vegas Golden Knights, lost captain Jamie Benn to a game misconduct and pulled starting goaltender Jake Oettinger.

The Golden Knights then took a 4-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of the second period, and that score held until the final buzzer. The frustration in Dallas could be seen on the ice and in the stands. Late in the second frame, Max Domi let his emotions get the best of him, and he took a total of 14 minutes in penalties.

As if following their team's lead, the fans reacted by throwing exorbitantly priced beverages and snacks onto the ice.

To make matters even worse for Dallas, Evgenii Dadonov left the game with an injury and did not return. His status for Game 4 is unknown, and that's also the case for Benn, who may have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for attempting to rearrange Stone's teeth.

As embarrassing a night as it was for the Stars, the Golden Knights have to be riding high. They now have a 3-0 lead in the series, and a win in Game 4 will send them to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in the franchise's fledgling history.