Can anyone deny the VAN/EDM series has been the best?

[NyQuil]

When it comes to the Canucks, the prevailing narrative was that they were playing with house money and they were “happy to be there” after a number of struggling seasons.

And that’s fine - I would have given them a pass if they had exited early, even with their regular season results. They didn’t have a lot of recent playoff experience, unlike the Oilers, for whom a deep run is more urgent.

You can’t turn around now and say “no one respects us” because you’re up 3-2 now in Round 2.

It’s part of the same narrative that Canucks fans themselves embraced before the post-season.

I don’t really have a stake in this series, but Vancouver deserved to win Game 5 so I’m glad they did. I’m curious to see if Edmonton can counter punch.

As fast as the other series in this round, they have all been very enjoyable to watch for neutrals. The one thing this series has is a bit more of a personal regional rivalry, but as far as the actual hockey is concerned, they’ve all had a lot of highlights and late game heroics.

 

[Video Nasty]

 

[HANK30]

I honestly haven't paid any attention to any of the Western Conference series...that of course will change for the WCF.

 

[tyhee]

They were 4-0 against the Oilers in the reg season and people gave them the advantage because of it, at least from what I remember. But it could have come from biased sources, I don't really remember clearly.

For just one example, see espn, where 23 of 24 predictions favoured the Oilers. That is perhaps more extreme than some others, but there weren't many people placing much emphasis on what happened in the regular season series.

 

[aregora]

If the Canucks go all the way, Silovs will be mentioned for the Conn Smythe. The funny thing is that Silovs didn't even merit an honorable mention pre-season as one of the top 5 Canucks goalies -- Who Is The Backup Goaltender For The Vancouver Canucks | StatMuse

Jonathan Lemieux (listed as #3) and Zach Sawchenko (listed as #5) were never ahead of Silovs in the actual depth chart. And I think it was debatable if Martin or Silovs were ahead on the depth chart before Martin got claimed on waivers in September. I would argue that Silovs was slightly ahead based on potential and Martin's terrible stats the season before.

Feels like that StateMuse website just crawls data and (potentially uses AI) to build pages to capture traffic via SEO and generate $$$ via ads.

 

[johnnybbadd]

It’s been really good but Rangers and Carolina was off the charts good especially yesterday.

 

[God]

When it comes to the Canucks, the prevailing narrative was that they were playing with house money and they were “happy to be there” after a number of struggling seasons.

And that’s fine - I would have given them a pass if they had exited early, even with their regular season results. They didn’t have a lot of recent playoff experience, unlike the Oilers, for whom a deep run is more urgent.

You can’t turn around now and say “no one respects us” because you’re up 3-2 now in Round 2.

It’s part of the same narrative that Canucks fans themselves embraced before the post-season.

I don’t really have a stake in this series, but Vancouver deserved to win Game 5 so I’m glad they did. I’m curious to see if Edmonton can counter punch.

As fast as the other series in this round, they have all been very enjoyable to watch for neutrals. The one thing this series has is a bit more of a personal regional rivalry, but as far as the actual hockey is concerned, they’ve all had a lot of highlights and late game heroics.

This comment was regarding the pre-series talk, and few media members expected the Canucks to put up a fight because of the godly nature of McDavid. And it still sort of feels like that when Luke Gazdic in the 1st intermission says "Edmonton has a plan. Vancouver doesn't".

 

[NyQuil]

This comment was regarding the pre-series talk, and few media members expected the Canucks to put up a fight because of the godly nature of McDavid. And it still sort of feels like that when Luke Gazdic in the 1st intermission says "Edmonton has a plan. Vancouver doesn't".

If you want to be the favourite, ok, but you can’t have it both ways.

I picked Edmonton in six because I thought their special teams would carry them through and they had more experience in these pressure situations.

Clearly I was wrong but it’s been pretty close. 6 games is not like calling a sweep.

 

[Il Stugotz]

I would also say that this series will likely be 10 times better than the Stanley Cup final.

Florida or NYR are going to be so banged up after that bloodbath

 

[Frankie Blueberries]

Nevertheless, still pretty much a toss up at this point IMO

I don’t think it’s a toss up when the series is at 3-2. If the teams were equal, the Canucks would have a 50% better chance at winning the series given that they only have to win half the amount of games Edmonton does. Just from a probability standpoint.

 

[Nikki Potnick]

Not sure about best, but definitely the whiniest.

 

[Three On Zero]

It’s like watching peewee hockey, probably the worst series of the playoffs

 

[God]

If you want to be the favourite, ok, but you can’t have it both ways.

I picked Edmonton in six because I thought their special teams would carry them through and they had more experience in these pressure situations.

Clearly I was wrong but it’s been pretty close. 6 games is not like calling a sweep.

Nobody said we were the favourite, we are mainly talking about how laughable the lack of respect was for the Canucks in this series.

In round 1, they stifled the #2 offense since the all-star break with our 2nd and 3rd goalies. The Oilers are the #3 offense since the all-star break, so you'd expect people to pay a little more attention to that. It was always going to be a close series.

 

[Jason316]

Canucks 5 - Oilers 4
Oilers 4 - Canucks 3 (OT)
Canucks 4 - Oilers 3
Oilers 3 - Canucks 2
Canucks 3 - Oilers 2

The scores speak for themselves, as well as the order of the team who wins. Throw in the dramatic reffing controversies and feel good story of Phillip Di Giuseppe scoring a clutch goal after becoming a father.

And as much as I hate to say it, the Canucks came in as favorites in a series which has now becime a coin toss.

What series this year has even come close?

Canucks weren't favorites. Every sportsbook had Canucks underdogs

 

[NyQuil]

Nobody said we were the favourite, we are mainly talking about how laughable the lack of respect was for the Canucks in this series.

In round 1, they stifled the #2 offense since the all-star break with our 2nd and 3rd goalies. The Oilers are the #3 offense since the all-star break, so you'd expect people to pay a little more attention to that. It was always going to be a close series.

Yeah, and that’s what 75% of people said in the poll.

Most people agree and have agreed.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Canucks 5 - Oilers 4
Oilers 4 - Canucks 3 (OT)
Canucks 4 - Oilers 3
Oilers 3 - Canucks 2
Canucks 3 - Oilers 2

The scores speak for themselves, as well as the order of the team who wins. Throw in the dramatic reffing controversies and feel good story of Phillip Di Giuseppe scoring a clutch goal after becoming a father.

And as much as I hate to say it, the Canucks came in as favorites in a series which has now becime a coin toss.

What series this year has even come close?

Nope. all one goal games, not much separating the teams, emotional games and huge moments and fun to watch. No use in denying it.

 

[Praetorian Caps]

The only caveat is the 10pm start times, because I have to wake up early for work. But the games have been fun and the series has me on the edge of my seat!

 

[GAGLine]

There are people who deny that the Earth is a sphere. Your little playoff series isn't special.

 

[JAK]

There are people who deny that the Earth is a sphere. Your little playoff series isn't special.

It's because the Earth is an oval!

 

[Double Dion]

Nobody said we were the favourite, we are mainly talking about how laughable the lack of respect was for the Canucks in this series.

In round 1, they stifled the #2 offense since the all-star break with our 2nd and 3rd goalies. The Oilers are the #3 offense since the all-star break, so you'd expect people to pay a little more attention to that. It was always going to be a close series.

I thought you guys were the favorite. Especially if you could stay out of the box. Hard thing to do with all the phantom PPs the Oilers get I know, but the Canucks are a far superior team even with a cornerstone player out.

 

[NyQuil]

It's because the Earth is an oval!

Oblate spheroid?

*I just like to say it....oblate spheroid...would be a good name for a prog rock band*

 

[Tralfamadore]

The series thread and GDTs have been more entertaining than the games themselves.

 

[LaCarriere]

Dallas versus Vegas (aka the real WCF) has been the best series so far.

Really starting to dislike the playoff format more and more. Need to go back to 1-8 seeding.

Nothing like having either Edmonton or vancouver playing for a WCF spot, and both teams are widely written off from making it out of the west.

 

[jackjohnson]

It's been a good series. A bit sloppy at times from both teams which makes the games nailbiters

I don't think either team can move past the WCF.. but maybe if they Canucks finish off my fav team and get Demko back, they'll have a chance.

People always keep sleeping on Canucks and are always proved wrong. It started before regular season and the theme continues. I love how Canucks as division champs are being relegated to an underdog role since the Nashville series.

 

[JAK]

The series thread and GDTs have been more entertaining than the games themselves.

The "passion" of Canadian fan bases for this sport is just off the charts.

I wish every team had fan bases that would bring a series thread to 6k posts in 5 games.