The West Is Basically Set Now

[oconnor9sean]

Barring golfing teams upsetting playoff teams, which is still possible, even if unlikely, we have:

Dallas vs Los Angeles
Winnipeg vs Colorado

Vancouver vs Nashville
Edmonton vs Vegas

 

[Czechboy]

I'm not exactly thrilled that the Knights with their broken ass defense and broken goalies are potentially going up against the best offense in the West in round 1.

As far as I can tell... you guys can win a cup with Jiri Patera.

That D has Pietrangelo, Hanifin and Theodore?

That's quite the step from Ek, Bouch and Nurse. without looking, your 4th D is very likely better than Cody Ceci.

And your offence will include net front Hertl and Stone driving our good forwards crazy!

You guys are my nightmare when you are altogether for game 1. Don't even get me started on Eichel decimating us last year.lol

 

[Czechboy]

Barring golfing teams upsetting playoff teams, which is still possible, even if unlikely, we have:

Dallas vs Los Angeles
Winnipeg vs Colorado

Vancouver vs Nashville
Edmonton vs Vegas

I preferred Dallas vs the Knights... let them kill each other for 7 straight games.lol

 

[57special]

We know Kopitar, Doughty, Kempe, Danault, and hopefully Fiala will bring it. The middle 6 wingers aren't hurting the team. The defence is solid but not great.

The big question mark is Dubois. He had such a monster playoffs in the covid bubble. If that version of him makes a return that'd be a huge relief for the Kings.

But I've said it since the offseason, this team ain't winning shit as long the goaltending is unchanged.

I would hope that Arvidsson does something, also. How has Gavrikov been?

I liked Talbot when he was on the Wild, but a Calgary fan warned us that he was a good backup, but cannot be the main starter, and that mostly turned out to be true.

PLD....aiiee.

It's time for Byfield to show up. I know he has looked better, but i still don't see enough out of him.

 

[JKG33]

I would hope that Arvidsson does something, also. How has Gavrikov been?

I liked Talbot when he was on the Wild, but a Calgary fan warned us that he was a good backup, but cannot be the main starter, and that mostly turned out to be true.

PLD....aiiee.

It's time for Byfield to show up. I know he has looked better, but i still don't see enough out of him.

Gavrikov was great right after the trade last season. This year I'd say he's been ok. Not amazing, but not a liability. I think he has more to give.

Talbot had a good start to the season, but the wheels fell off to the point it was laughable he was in the ASG. He's been better lately but I've never been a fan going back to his days on the Rags. A career backup that's fooled several teams into thinking he's a starter.

Agreed regarding Byfield. Most Kings fans are thrilled with the season he's had, and he has improved I'll give him that. However I still think he's got a long ways to go to justify using the pick on him instead of Stu. Luckily though, playoffs are where the big boys like him can thrive

 

[HanSolo]

As far as I can tell... you guys can win a cup with Jiri Patera.

That D has Pietrangelo, Hanifin and Theodore?

That's quite the step from Ek, Bouch and Nurse. without looking, your 4th D is very likely better than Cody Ceci.

And your offence will include net front Hertl and Stone driving our good forwards crazy!

You guys are my nightmare when you are altogether for game 1. Don't even get me started on Eichel decimating us last year.lol

Having to find their game against the Oilers is pretty much a death sentence. Vegas was a lot more prepared to play well in the postseason this time last year and they still needed a warm up round against Winnipeg to get their wheels turning. I don't think Vegas has time to make the defensive adjustments they'll need to hold off Edmonton's offense. If they even could if they met in the second round instead of the first.

 

[Czechboy]

Having to find their game against the Oilers is pretty much a death sentence. Vegas was a lot more prepared to play well in the postseason this time last year and they still needed a warm up round against Winnipeg to get their wheels turning. I don't think Vegas has time to make the defensive adjustments they'll need to hold off Edmonton's offense. If they even could if they met in the second round instead of the first.

Well hopefully we never find out. You are not my first choice for playoffs.lol.

 

[HanSolo]

Well hopefully we never find out. You are not my first choice for playoffs.lol.

I'll always say that Edmonton was the toughest opponent Vegas got through on their run to the cup. Not just that they hada couple big wins against the Knights; Vegas' wins were harder than most they got after.

So yeah, Edmonton is actually my last choice for first round opponent this year given the circumstances.

 

[Sniper99]

Hope Dallas takes Vegas out in the first round. Geez very tough matchup for Dallas.

I think Dallas gets it done.

 

[Sniper99]

I remember when Toronto wanted to play Florida.

I drink to forget that. I was one of many that yelled that out. We got Florida and we got our ass kicked.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

I'll always say that Edmonton was the toughest opponent Vegas got through on their run to the cup. Not just that they hada couple big wins against the Knights; Vegas' wins were harder than most they got after.

So yeah, Edmonton is actually my last choice for first round opponent this year given the circumstances.

Vegas can effectively choose their opponent by "resting players" and losing the last two games. So, it will be interesting to see who they choose. If they perceive McDavid to be truly dinged up, it will be the Oilers. We will find out tonight.

Anybody who doesn't believe that teams do this is naive.

 

[StreetHawk]

Barring golfing teams upsetting playoff teams, which is still possible, even if unlikely, we have:

Dallas vs Los Angeles
Winnipeg vs Colorado

Vancouver vs Nashville
Edmonton vs Vegas

For this to change:
1) Dal has to lose in Reg vs STL and Van needs to win both games vs Cal and Win. Van needs 1 point to secure Pacific, and if they do that vs Cal, they probably rest guys for the Win game vs try to secure #1 seed IMO. Nash finished their season on Monday, so they are getting rest right now.
2) LA/LV can swap if Vegas gets more points than LA. LA holds tie breaker so LV needs to finish with more points to jump them. LV hosts the 2/3 worst teams in Chi and Ana to close the year. LA gets Chi to close their season.

 

[snag]

I drink to forget that. I was one of many that yelled that out. We got Florida and we got our ass kicked.

Yeah....looking back at that hubris....*cringe* I can hope...but I keep my mouth shut so it doesn't get something unwanted shoved in it. In this league, at this time of year anything can happen and there is always someone (especially here) wanting to make you choke on it.