TRASHCAT
Registered User
Our defense did just stop the leagues best offense from scoring a goal in two elimination games
Vegas’ two best assets: Gallant and MAF. If the Caps can win those two battles, they can take it, but it’s not gonna be a cakewalk.
Thinking about this match-up more, I find it a bit hard to believe that a defense of Schmidt, McNabb, Theodore, Miller, Sbisa & Engelland will be the ones to deny this team. It's asking for it perhaps and Fleury will also have something to say about that but it's not a tremendous group on paper. Paper doesn't matter at this point but it is a group a little suspect in terms of overall depth and speed (at least when it comes to McNabb, Sbisa & Engelland). Vegas compensates for that by backchecking with a purpose but there should be opportunities for sustained pressure chances if they're able to control the flow of the game. The Caps have feasted on transition pretty often but I'm not sure Vegas will break down that easy structurally. It would be great but they may have to do more work with sustained forechecking pressure like some of the better efforts the Sharks had. Vegas starting to try to do too much at home would be a good sign and, of course, the Caps getting out to a lead could help spur that on.
The Caps will need their middle six going and for the fourth-line to put in good work getting chunks of Schmidt, Theodore & Miller IMO. Slow those guys down, make them wear it and their blueline becomes far less dynamic. Of course, the Caps will need their third pair to be better in underlying play as well and to prove overall that they're able to get the upper hand structurally. The Caps should have a slight edge on defense and up the middle but it's on them to prove it in practice by continuing to attack responsibly, be disciplined and to continue to play as though it's a battle of wills. Do that and they'll be in good spots to have success.
We're going to approach them like we did Tampa. Slow them down in the middle, be physical, and be offensively opportunistic. We might have played more games, but we're more battle tested and overcome a lot of adversity. I also think we're the hungrier team with a lot of confidence. The Golden Nuggets lose G1 at home and it might throw them off kilter. Given MAF's play lately, we'll have to get some tip-ins and dirty goals and Holtbeast must continue.
If none of the above works, they must channel this inspirational speech from Eric Stratton:
We gotta take these bastards. Now we could do it with conventional weapons, but that could take years and cost millions of lives. No, I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part.
Good insight and observations. Despite the final score in the series, I think the Kings may have played the Knights toughest of all.Early on against the Kings I heard a commentator say trying to carry the puck thru the neutral zone will not work against Vegas, you HAVE to be willing to dump it and do the work to get it back, despite all the new NHL stuff about not giving up possession.
I really started watching Knights games with an eye on watching this and it seems like a legit observation. The 1st line of Karlsson/Marchesault seem especially adept at stealing the puck in NZ and turning it into quick offense or 2 on 1's. The Knights really do own the middle of the ice.
I noticed that if a team could establish possession they could get a decent chance (MAF was just saving everything thrown at him).
I don't know what plan the coaches have but I hope it is a great one.
Uh... Marchessault and Karlsson??Vegas’ two best assets: Gallant and MAF. If the Caps can win those two battles, they can take it, but it’s not gonna be a cakewalk.
I said best. Those guys are very good and not to be ignored, but they are not, IMO, the primary factors.Uh... Marchessault and Karlsson??
Oh buddy. We know all about trying to cross an item off the bucket listIsles fan coming in peace. Any idea when tickets for Finals games 3/4 go on sale to the general public? Trying to cross an item off my bucket list. thanks and congrats to all Caps fans.
this 9 day break can't help the Knights, we should be able to jump on them early, let's just hope Fluery will be affected to.
Hahahahaha, i think that version of Fleury may be in the rearview mirror for good, unfortunately. But we can beat him. We know him well. No mysteries or mystique there. Our turn to come out on top against that guy.Yep, here's hoping the looong layoff brings back the Fluery that inspired these memes
I have a feeling Schmidt's smile which I always found quite endearing is going to become very annoying very quickly.
I just heard Greenberg on CrashingtheNet say the Knights shouldn't give the Caps any trouble. Have people not been watching the playoffs, especially people that get paid to talk about hockey???
People are delusional if they think the way Greenberg does.
Vegas is favored in this series for a reason.
Greenberg lost all credibility a long time ago. He is a total dumpster fire.
Good insight and observations. Despite the final score in the series, I think the Kings may have played the Knights toughest of all.
I am sure Caps coaches will pick apart the video of that series, as well as the other two, to see what worked and what did not. Vegas definitely has my respect. Honestly, I see them as the favorites against us. But I am totally OK with that.
But as to the other point, about testing their mental resolve, I am not as sure they have weakness there. They actually seem to play without any fear at all. Who knows, maybe they have not been sufficiently tested. Hopefully we can do that. We’ll see.
Cautiously optimistic is where I am, mostly because this year’s Capitals team seems quite special in its own right.
The main thing is that I'd be surprised if Vegas quit like PIT & TBL did. We'll see. Those teams were very skilled and the Caps deserve all kinds of credit for that frustration level building up for them but Vegas seems to have a similar relentlessness. Early on I'll be looking for the Caps defense exiting more cleanly on whole. The second and third pairs will likely need to do a better job of it if the Caps are going to fast enough.