Golden Knights, Stars Set for Stadium Series Showdown in 2027 - But First, a Battle in Vegas
The Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars are no strangers to high-stakes hockey, and now their growing rivalry is headed to the big stage - literally. The NHL announced that the two Western Conference contenders will face off in the 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That’s right - hockey under the bright lights of a football cathedral.
The outdoor clash is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2027, with a 5 p.m. PT puck drop on ABC. Ticket details are still to come, but the Golden Knights are already pointing fans toward a priority list for updates and pregame festivities.
A Third Outdoor Chapter for Vegas
This will mark the third outdoor game in Golden Knights franchise history - and it’s another marquee moment for a team that’s made a habit of showing up when the lights are brightest. Vegas first stepped into the outdoor spotlight at Lake Tahoe in 2021, squaring off against the Colorado Avalanche in one of the most picturesque settings the league has ever staged. They returned to the outdoor circuit in 2024 with a Winter Classic showdown against the Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Park.
Now, they’ll take their game to the Lone Star State, where everything - including the stakes - is bigger.
Vegas has made the playoffs in seven of its first eight seasons and captured the Stanley Cup in 2022-23. Dallas, meanwhile, continues to be a force in the West, and the two teams have built a reputation for tight, physical, playoff-style hockey. The NHL’s decision to put this matchup on the Stadium Series calendar isn’t just about spectacle - it’s about substance.
Hockey Hits AT&T Stadium
AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, has hosted just about every major event you can think of - from Super Bowl XLV to the Cotton Bowl Classic to WrestleMania. It’s a venue built for the big moment, and the NHL is plugging into that energy.
And it won’t be the only global event on the calendar. The stadium is also set to host nine FIFA World Cup matches in the summer of 2026, including a semifinal. That makes the Stadium Series game another headline-grabbing addition to a venue that thrives on spectacle.
But First - Vegas vs. Dallas Tonight at the Fortress
Before anyone starts planning tailgates in Texas, there’s business to handle in Vegas. The Golden Knights (25-14-13) host the Stars (30-14-9) tonight at T-Mobile Arena, with puck drop set for 7 p.m.
PT. The game will be broadcast locally on Scripps Sports and streamed on KnightTime+, with radio coverage on FOX Sports Las Vegas and Deportes Vegas 1460.
And if recent history is any indication, fans are in for a tight one. These two teams played three one-goal games last season - two of which needed overtime to settle. They’ll meet three times this regular season, but every matchup feels like a playoff dress rehearsal.
Dorofeyev Catching Fire
One of the biggest storylines heading into tonight? Pavel Dorofeyev.
The 23-year-old winger is on an absolute tear, scoring eight goals in his last nine games. He leads the team with 24 goals this season, and he was the lone source of offense in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Montreal, finding the back of the net twice.
His emergence has been a boost for a Vegas team still dealing with injuries and looking for consistent scoring outside of its usual stars. If Dorofeyev keeps this up, he won’t just be a spark plug - he’ll be a cornerstone.
Discipline Will Be Key Against Dallas’ Power Play
Vegas has been the league’s most disciplined team this season, taking just 150 penalties - the fewest in the NHL. That’s going to be tested tonight against a Dallas squad that brings a lethal power play to town.
The Stars have racked up 46 power-play goals this season, and Wyatt Johnston is leading the league with 17 of them. If Vegas can keep this game at 5-on-5, it gives them a better shot at controlling the tempo and managing matchups - especially with last change at home.
Stone, Eichel, and Milestones on the Horizon
Mark Stone has been piling up points in January - 21 to be exact - which puts him among the league’s top scorers for the month. But he’s not the only one chasing milestones.
Jack Eichel is just five assists away from 200 as a Golden Knight, while Shea Theodore is eight assists shy of 300 in franchise history. On the career ledger, Adin Hill is one win away from 100 and five games from 200. Tomas Hertl needs six points to hit 600, and Mitch Marner is closing in on 800 career points, sitting just seven away.
From Tight Games to a Massive Stage
What makes this rivalry so compelling is how evenly matched these teams are. Tight games, overtimes, physical play - it’s all there.
And now, with the NHL putting this matchup on the Stadium Series stage, the league is acknowledging what fans have already known: Vegas vs. Dallas is must-watch hockey.
They’ll meet again in February 2027 with the whole league watching from a packed football stadium in Texas. But tonight, they’ll battle in front of a packed house in Vegas - a fitting prelude to what’s shaping up to be one of the NHL’s marquee matchups for years to come.