GDT: WCSF GAME #1: Canucks @ Golden Knights | 7:30 p.m. PST

Status
Not open for further replies.

Zombotron

Supreme Overlord of Crap
Jan 3, 2010
18,306
9,830
Toronto
:surrender



tbLTbJW.jpg


For Eddy!
 
Last edited:

Bleach Clean

Registered User
Aug 9, 2006
26,997
6,572
The PK percentages for each club has flipped during series play. VAN had the advantage in the regular season rank, 16 to 27. If the PKs for each team return to their prior rates, VAN has a decided edge.

In goal, regular season play suggests that Lehner vs Markstrom will be a stalemate. If series play holds, Markstrom grants the advantage to VAN.

VAN had the better offense during the regular season, but worse shot differential. Another series where VAN will have to out-convert negative shot differentials to win. A top heavy team vs a deep roster. They'll have to overplay the top lines to ensure this happens.

The keys for VAN, I think, are going to be whether the Pettersson line can create a consistent advantage 5v5, and whether Gaudette becomes a scoring factor. These things must happen. If they do, then whatever further advantage VAN can accrue from the PP is a bonus.

Slowing VGK's wingers down will also be key. VAN's wingers are going to have to come back and get in front of them so that the D can turn and pass. Screen them using their skating. Then, provide quick pass outlets to turn the play up ice. Defensive support will be more important than the offensive forecheck, IMO.
 
Last edited:

yoss

Registered User
May 25, 2011
3,006
37
Lot of things to be encouraged about in that first round imo. Boeser got better as the series went along, him scoring last game is a good sign. Virtanen showed well when moved up to top lines. I like that Green mixed up the lines and it paid off, bodes well for more even distribution of scoring, to know it's an option, more weapons.

Motte steps up w/ a gwg (or 2?) Beagle with a goal. Roussel pots the odd goal. Go up and down the line up, who *isn't* playing well, or at least is a huge liability? Lot of guys w/ big moments, from the top line to the 4th.

They lose Meyers, Edler for a game, Benn steps in nicely. Fantenberg playing well. Stetcher is- scoring goals? Tanev with a series winner vs. Minny. There's been defensive lapses, but honestly less so than I anticipated.

That's w/out mentioning Petey, Miller, Horvat, Hughes. Idk but I'm liking the low key understated confidence I'm seeing right now. Knights are a great team, but they haven't been battle tested like Van so far imo and there's bit of drama/controversy w/ Fleury, every little internal fracture w/in a team can be costly in the playoffs. Think Nucks are being underestimated as they in the Blues series.

Two teams that've never met in the playoffs before, so who knows how it shakes out but this team has proven they have heart and resilience plus the belief they can win, anyone suggesting they can't hang with the Knights may be in for a surprise. Vegas with crazy depth, but Nucks have better top end offense imo, both the back end and forward, namely Petey & Hughes but also guys like Miller, Boeser, Horvat etc. have gamebreaker potential.

They're also playing better as a team than I recall seeing this iteration of the Nucks ever playing. Ego's to the side, just getting it done. Motte out there putting in *work*, scoring goals now too apparently? Which, a guy like that you love to see it. Petey will block shots, bust ass on defense and do a million little things right, and that's our star center in his second year mind you, doing that.

I've been a Nucks fan for long enough to know not to ever get ahead of myself, roughly 3 decades but I'm loving what I'm seeing from this team right now and frankly I don't count them out against anyone in the league if they keep it up, not to say they're favorites by any means and I've been conditioned to always wait for the other shoe to drop when things are going too well, but.. you never know.
 

SixtyFour

Registered User
Aug 7, 2015
168
161
No one on NHL.Com has chosen us to win. The only team to not have anyone choose or predict to win a series out of all remaining teams. Love it! Absolutely love it. embrace the under dog role like a champ!
Actually one of them pick up Canucks, but score is 1:15 anyway (3:13 against STL) :popcorn:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ginger Papa

JanBulisPiggyBack

Registered User
Dec 31, 2011
3,839
2,719
Canucks win the series, win the west, win the cup and Petterssen and Hughes are so giddy for future Canucks cups they both sign 10 year league minimum contracts to ensure we don’t have cap issues
Lays makes them filthy filthy rich with endorsements
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->