You contradicted yourself there...People always say this but I disagree. First, if we win all our home games we win. But more importantly, to win a championship you need to win on the road. And being at home isn’t a huge advantage anyway.
Both of these teams have won several road games in the playoffs; that’s why they are the last 2 teams remaining.
You contradicted yourself there...
First you say you disagree. Then explain to win a championship you need to win on the road.
So what do you actually believe?
I do think the rust may have affected Florida. But it doesn’t take away the cup, the rings, the parade, the wins, etc. IF they happen (this series isn’t over if Florida wins game 3 so I’m not counting them out).
I think we lost to Montreal in the playoffs because Stone was hurt. But I’m not 100% sure, maybe they win anyway if Stone was healthy. And they still win the series and the trophy that year despite any hypotheticals I might speculate about.
The saying makes it sound like going up 2-0 doesn’t matter. Florida didn’t win on the road in games 1 and 2. Maybe they will in game 5 or 7 (or both). But games 1 and 2 still matter.
I never said it didn't matter...but it has been an awful long time since the last time a team has only won their home games to win the cup in the finals.I do think the rust may have affected Florida. But it doesn’t take away the cup, the rings, the parade, the wins, etc. IF they happen (this series isn’t over if Florida wins game 3 so I’m not counting them out).
I think we lost to Montreal in the playoffs because Stone was hurt. But I’m not 100% sure, maybe they win anyway if Stone was healthy. And they still win the series and the trophy that year despite any hypotheticals I might speculate about.
The saying makes it sound like going up 2-0 doesn’t matter. Florida didn’t win on the road in games 1 and 2. Maybe they will in game 5 or 7 (or both). But games 1 and 2 still matter.
That's not what the saying means. It's that you aren't in trouble until you lose at home.
Florida would definitely have liked a win in Vegas but they aren't in serious trouble unless they lose one of the games in Florida.
If Florida wins game 3, the pressure Vegas feels in game 4 is probably once again equal to Florida, as dropping two in a row and going back home would mean Vegas would be feeling the pressure in game 5 more than Florida.
To add, if florida wins game 3 and 4, regardless of dominance in the games, VGK will have to go home with a little more anxiety in game 5 then what FLA is going to feel.That's not what the saying means. It's that you aren't in trouble until you lose at home.
Florida would definitely have liked a win in Vegas but they aren't in serious trouble unless they lose one of the games in Florida.
If Florida wins game 3, the pressure Vegas feels in game 4 is probably once again equal to Florida, as dropping two in a row and going back home would mean Vegas would be feeling the pressure in game 5 more than Florida.
I never said it didn't matter...but it has been an awful long time since the last time a team has only won their home games to win the cup in the finals.
I don't doubt that vegas could be that team because of the home advantage they have with how loud it get's and the feeling of the crowd on top of you, but point still stands.
(i don't count covid cup 2020 since no one played at home)
2022 - COL had to win @ TB game 3
2021 - TB won @ MTL
2019 - STL won at BOS in game 7
2018 - WSH won @ VGK
2017 - PIT won @ NSH
2016 - PIT won @ SJS
Again, not saying they shouldn't just "win at home to win the whole thing", but history tells us, that if you win on the road (especially in the finals), then your chances are higher to win the cup. I mean, if VGK wins game 4 (i really don't see them winning game 3 but we shall see), then their path to the cup is that much easier by only needing to win 1 of 2 at home.
That’s the part I disagree with. I think losing the first 2 on the road does mean you’re in serious trouble. Games 3 and 4 are must wins for Florida. And now they have to win 4 out of 5 to win the series.
Of course Florida could win those games. But if they do, I don’t think being at home will affect the outcome that much. They might win because they made good adjustments, or they executed/played better, because they are the more desperate team, the refs, injuries, or some combination of those.
That's the point of the saying though, Florida isn't in trouble until they actually do lose at home. If Vegas lost a game at home their pressure would be higher because they have to go to Florida and win at least one game, no way around it.
It's the reason the NHL doesn't do 2-3-2 format, even though it cuts travel costs. The lower seeded team gets too much advantage.
Vegas has held serve, and that's great, but they can't feel too good about themselves until they take one in Florida.
The top seed advantage doesn't come in to play until the final game of the series, and until that hypothetical game 7 you're always trying to steal one on the road and hold serve at home. Players talk about it every year.