WCQF: (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs (WC1) Los Angeles Kings | VGK Leads Series 3-0
- Thread starter Filthy Dangles
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Wooty
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I don't understand. You should explain yourself more.
SettlementRichie10
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- May 6, 2012
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LA's banged up blueline is going to be the true deciding factor in this series. Vegas will have 30 Doughty-less minutes to do whatever they want out there.
Rorschach
Who the f*** is Trevor Moore?
Yup. We better pray that our forwards/centers make it easy on our non-Doughty pairings.
Hey Solo, were the fans who suffered the from horrific “slurpee juice” incident able to recover, or do they still suffer from PTSD?
Raccoon Jesus
Todd McLellan is an inside agent
Iafallo's good, so the forward core is good.
Forbort gone worries me because who stays in the lineup when Muzzin returns? Any of those guys is a liability to some degree--LaDue, Gravel, Fantenberg. Ugh. And then who plays with Doughty? If it's going to be time with Drew, it may be Fantenberg. If it's going to be Drew with Muzzin, woudltn' be as surprised to see Fantenberg or LaDue in.
In any case, a fully healthy Kings D is fantastic--but even one guy missing is bad bad news. Our depth on D is awful. Two guys missing? May as well mail it in as the 35 minutes Doughty will play will kill him later in the series.
I understand saying that from your own perspective, but saying that your team's injuries will be the deciding factor in the series comes off as a little disrespectful to the other team. It gives the impression that how well Vegas plays doesn't really matter; if LA is healthy, they should win, and if they lose, it'll be because of injuries, not being outplayed.
I, personally, find the attention paid to LA's injuries to be strange because of the fact that their opponent is a team that built itself on the rest of the league's castoffs and hasn't made excuses for it all year. Why should being without Muzzin and Forbort be an excuse for losing when Vegas has done what they've done all year with the D corps that they have? They don't have anyone even close to Doughty's level to play half of the next 4-7 games, yet we're supposed to sympathize with LA that a couple of their players not named Doughty might be out? Against a different team (with its own #1 D or strong D corps), that might hold water, but Vegas is the one team that there'll be no excuse for losing to because you'll have simply been outplayed by a better team.
Sol
Smile
- Jun 30, 2017
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serenity now
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A couple of years ago, Darrell Sutter remarked that the Kings went thru the entire 2012 playoff run using the same 6 defenders which is next to impossible. Now we start with 2 guys in top 4 already out, (one we hope to get back some time in the series, the other done for the year) which shows just how remarkable the 2012 run was. All I can say is #prayformuzzin or a team that rolls 4 evenly distributed lines will take advantage of our bottom pairing which will be made up of AHL guys (especially in Vegas with last change for home team). This series is going to be scary close. I said Kings in 5 but that was my heart thinking. My head says I will be yelling at the TV alot (chip it out, chip it out!!)
Hal 9000
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- Nov 19, 2016
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The Vegas Golden Knights have had the most unexpected expansion season in NHL history, however for this Cinderella story to continue well into the playoff season, the Knights will have to face what most would consider their toughest opponent of the season, the Los Angeles Kings. The Knights can win this series, but it won’t be easy, here’s some things to consider;
Goaltending: With the high scoring Knights, Marc-Andre Fleury will not have to out perform Jonathon Quick, he just needs to keep pace, stay consistent and allow the forwards to do what they’ve done all season – score a lot goals. Quick has proven that he can steal games for his team, but he wont steal 4 out of 7 games. Both goaltenders have led their teams to Stanley Cup victories and with Fleury having the best statistical season of his career, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be considered the favorite in this match-up.
Defense: The Knights generally use a “defense by committee” system. Brayden McNabb and Nate Schmidt anchor the defense, rounded out by Engelland, Miller, Hunt, Merrill and Theodore who provide the Knights with speed and offense. Luca Sbisa is still out with a long term injury. The Kings rely heavily on Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez to carry the pace of the game and Doughty has proven that he can almost singlehandedly control the pace of a game from the back end, but he can’t defend against both top lines from Vegas. Jake Muzzin and Derek Forbert look questionable for at least the short term. Gerard Gallant will have the luxury of line matching early, which means that the Kings will likely have their second and third pairing defensemen exploited by either the Eric Haula line or the William Karlsson line. After the aforementioned defensemen, the Kings are pretty thin and inexperienced, with the exception of Phaneuf who although reasonably effective, is not the player he once was and won’t be able to contend with the Golden Knights speed.
Forward Lines: The Knights top two lines boast five 20 goal scorers and David Perron with 50 assists (If Perron cant go, expect power forward Alex Tuch to fill his spot on the second line). On the power play, either of Vegas’ top 2 lines, who Gallant usually likes to keep together for the pp, can be as effective as the other while adding Alex Tuch or Ryan Carpenter. The third line carries as much speed as any third line in the league. The fourth line anchored by PE Bellemare and Tomas Nosek can shut down other teams offense as good as any shut down line in the league and are frequently used on the penalty kill. William Karlsson, who should be in the conversation for the Selke trophy is also used heavily on the PK and has accumulated 4 short handed goals in the regular season. The Kings will rely heavily on Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli. Kopitar is again a front runner for the Selke and in serious consideration for the Hart trophy and Carter, Brown and Toffoli have proven to have serious playoff chops. Like San Jose and Chicago, the Kings generally run their offense from the backend with Doughty and Martinez. Alex Iafollo will add forward depth if he is cleared to play before Wednesday. Gallant will have to line match and put pressure on Doughty and keep him contained. The Kings forwards with Brown and Clifford along with Doughty will try to drag the series into a gutter match, the Knights will have to stay away from this style of hockey as much as possible if they are to succeed. Ryan Reeves was drawn into some undisciplined penalties over back to back games immediately after joining the Knights and (if dressed) will have to play with more discipline.
Coaching: Gerard Gallant, unarguably this years Jack Adams front runner, has rolled 4 lines pretty much all season and there doesn’t seem to any reason to believe he’ll change his philosophy now. He also rolls the defensemen more evenly than most coaches. Conversely, John Stevens uses a much “shorter bench” and relies heavily on his core players for nearly all special team situations. This should bode well for Vegas in a long series.
Synopsis: If any team can make a Stanley Cup run from a bottom seed, the Kings core group have proven that it’s them, however with a thinner supporting cast and some key injuries this year, they will be ripe for the taking. The Golden Knights began the season playing loose “house money” hockey and found tremendous success, however as of late they’ve resorted to systematic hockey and have tightened up their game. The passing isn’t as loose as it was and the defense doesn’t play as high and aggressive as they did earlier in the season. Vegas has played with a depleted line-up for over a month and rested key players for the last 2 weeks, it’s tough to guage whether this rest period will help the Knights or take a game or two to regain their chemistry. For the Knights to win this series, they will have to find a balance that utilizes speed, a heavy forecheck and an active defense while maintaining their defensive responsibilities.
My Prediction: Vegas in 6 games
Three Knights to watch;
Brayden McNabb: If the Kings have their way, this series will be rough. McNabb is the Knights heavy hitting defenseman and has something to prove to the Los Angeles brass.
Alex Tuch: Tuch is a power forward in the making and a rough series with LA will bring that out.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare: Bellemare is the Knights defensive specialist. Look for him to take a lot of defensive zone face-offs, and be prominent on the PK.
Goaltending: With the high scoring Knights, Marc-Andre Fleury will not have to out perform Jonathon Quick, he just needs to keep pace, stay consistent and allow the forwards to do what they’ve done all season – score a lot goals. Quick has proven that he can steal games for his team, but he wont steal 4 out of 7 games. Both goaltenders have led their teams to Stanley Cup victories and with Fleury having the best statistical season of his career, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be considered the favorite in this match-up.
Defense: The Knights generally use a “defense by committee” system. Brayden McNabb and Nate Schmidt anchor the defense, rounded out by Engelland, Miller, Hunt, Merrill and Theodore who provide the Knights with speed and offense. Luca Sbisa is still out with a long term injury. The Kings rely heavily on Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez to carry the pace of the game and Doughty has proven that he can almost singlehandedly control the pace of a game from the back end, but he can’t defend against both top lines from Vegas. Jake Muzzin and Derek Forbert look questionable for at least the short term. Gerard Gallant will have the luxury of line matching early, which means that the Kings will likely have their second and third pairing defensemen exploited by either the Eric Haula line or the William Karlsson line. After the aforementioned defensemen, the Kings are pretty thin and inexperienced, with the exception of Phaneuf who although reasonably effective, is not the player he once was and won’t be able to contend with the Golden Knights speed.
Forward Lines: The Knights top two lines boast five 20 goal scorers and David Perron with 50 assists (If Perron cant go, expect power forward Alex Tuch to fill his spot on the second line). On the power play, either of Vegas’ top 2 lines, who Gallant usually likes to keep together for the pp, can be as effective as the other while adding Alex Tuch or Ryan Carpenter. The third line carries as much speed as any third line in the league. The fourth line anchored by PE Bellemare and Tomas Nosek can shut down other teams offense as good as any shut down line in the league and are frequently used on the penalty kill. William Karlsson, who should be in the conversation for the Selke trophy is also used heavily on the PK and has accumulated 4 short handed goals in the regular season. The Kings will rely heavily on Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli. Kopitar is again a front runner for the Selke and in serious consideration for the Hart trophy and Carter, Brown and Toffoli have proven to have serious playoff chops. Like San Jose and Chicago, the Kings generally run their offense from the backend with Doughty and Martinez. Alex Iafollo will add forward depth if he is cleared to play before Wednesday. Gallant will have to line match and put pressure on Doughty and keep him contained. The Kings forwards with Brown and Clifford along with Doughty will try to drag the series into a gutter match, the Knights will have to stay away from this style of hockey as much as possible if they are to succeed. Ryan Reeves was drawn into some undisciplined penalties over back to back games immediately after joining the Knights and (if dressed) will have to play with more discipline.
Coaching: Gerard Gallant, unarguably this years Jack Adams front runner, has rolled 4 lines pretty much all season and there doesn’t seem to any reason to believe he’ll change his philosophy now. He also rolls the defensemen more evenly than most coaches. Conversely, John Stevens uses a much “shorter bench” and relies heavily on his core players for nearly all special team situations. This should bode well for Vegas in a long series.
Synopsis: If any team can make a Stanley Cup run from a bottom seed, the Kings core group have proven that it’s them, however with a thinner supporting cast and some key injuries this year, they will be ripe for the taking. The Golden Knights began the season playing loose “house money” hockey and found tremendous success, however as of late they’ve resorted to systematic hockey and have tightened up their game. The passing isn’t as loose as it was and the defense doesn’t play as high and aggressive as they did earlier in the season. Vegas has played with a depleted line-up for over a month and rested key players for the last 2 weeks, it’s tough to guage whether this rest period will help the Knights or take a game or two to regain their chemistry. For the Knights to win this series, they will have to find a balance that utilizes speed, a heavy forecheck and an active defense while maintaining their defensive responsibilities.
My Prediction: Vegas in 6 games
Three Knights to watch;
Brayden McNabb: If the Kings have their way, this series will be rough. McNabb is the Knights heavy hitting defenseman and has something to prove to the Los Angeles brass.
Alex Tuch: Tuch is a power forward in the making and a rough series with LA will bring that out.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare: Bellemare is the Knights defensive specialist. Look for him to take a lot of defensive zone face-offs, and be prominent on the PK.
Last edited:
Rorschach
Who the f*** is Trevor Moore?
Take all of what you think about the match ups and throw them out the window. The bottom line will be how each team's defense and defensemen will react to the other team's forecheck.
None of what we've seen so far in the regular season will reveal this outcome.
Between the two teams, nearly all of the playoff experience in dealing with a four line forecheck is on one side. The Kings' side.
None of what we've seen so far in the regular season will reveal this outcome.
Between the two teams, nearly all of the playoff experience in dealing with a four line forecheck is on one side. The Kings' side.
Not So Mighty
Enjoy your freedom, you wintertimer.
redcard
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- Mar 12, 2007
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That's because betting lines aren't odds. More people in Vegas are going to put money on the Golden Knights, because they're the higher seed and they're in Vegas. Sportbooks set the betting lines so that regardless of who wins the payout is the same. It has nothing to do with "odds" of winning and is solely about balancing the wagers.
bukwas
Stanley Cup 2022
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They balance out the odds but they still indicate which team they feel is more likely to win. Otherwise the cost per 100 would be identical.
redcard
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No, they indicate which team they think is going to receive more wagers. They don't care who wins, if they set the line correctly they make money regardless.
bukwas
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redcard
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The gamblers' favorite. Which is obviously going to be the hometown team. It is not an indication of the likelihood of either team winning, it simply means that people in Vegas are putting their money on......Vegas, which should be a surprise to nobody.
bukwas
Stanley Cup 2022
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Correct, all odds are the gamblers favorites, or perceived favorites.
redcard
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- Mar 12, 2007
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People in Vegas are betting heavier on the Golden Knights. That's all that means. It does not reflect the likelihood of either team winning and it should be obvious why it doesn't reflect the poll results.
mundyc3
Registered User
All season? Series is split and the Knights losses were with a back to back after the trade deadline. If it were Minnesota, then I would agree.
Pirate Deadpool
Registered User
I've been to many Frozen Fury games and seen what fans call the gauntlet. Kings fans on both sides of the entrance to mgm grand arena yelling and throwing garbage at anyone in colorado gear.
bukwas
Stanley Cup 2022
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What % of the total wagers do you think will be made by visitors and residents of Las Vegas? I would think less than 2%.
The vast majority of wagers from all over the world will come from online betting sites.
Little Psycho
I solemnly swear I'm up to no good
Thought I wouldn't be able to finish this before game 1. 
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