[SCF] Florida Panthers (EC-WC2) vs Vegas Golden Knights (WC-1)

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by jeffman

I’m cheering on Vegas since they took out mcregularseason

Yes, just like Colorado last year, the reward for taking out Edmonton is to win it all. Go ahead and claim your prize Vegas.

[Buff]

I'm cheering for Vegas because they're my #2 team. I'm not die hard Vegas fan like I'm a die hard Flames fan because I would be quite happy if Tkachuck and Bennett win it with Florida.

I can see this going either way.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Sounds like a win-win for most of us since Eichel or Tkachuk/Bennett are getting to a cup before McDavid.

[dammage79]

Go Panthers! Couldn't really care less about Tkachuk but I'm rooting really hard for Bennett. Plus they have a few other players I've always liked like Reinhart, Bob, Barkov

Plus I hate the Knights and their being gifted an instant contender in our division. And, they exploit the cap rules like TB, while legal, it's kind of dicky.

[bdubbs]

Head says Vegas, heart says Florida. Go Florida!

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

So you want Panthers to win because it would suck for many Flames fans? I'm confused.

He is an Oilers fan so hoping for the worst result for the Flames. It is a mixed bag as some want Chucky and Benny to win while others do not want it.

On the flip side Vegas beat the Oilers so cheering against the team that beat his however there is the narrative they lost to the cup winning team the last 2 years so maybe it shows they are close?

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

He is an Oilers fan so hoping for the worst result for the Flames. It is a mixed bag as some want Chucky and Benny to win while others do not want it.

On the flip side Vegas beat the Oilers so cheering against the team that beat his however there is the narrative they lost to the cup winning team the last 2 years so maybe it shows they are close?

former oilers fan.
my fading fanhood finally ended when Kane was signed.

the business of hockey and cheering for a historically badly managed team wears on you. Kane was a step too far, and the Oilers not firing nicholson after the Canadian national team tradition of assaults, was also wrong.

I think this past season I cheered on the Kraken the most.

[Shazam]

FLA in 4.

[NegativeSpace]

I'll be curious to see how the long break impacts Florida's momentum. They had a ton of momentum and you would prefer to just keep rolling into the finals.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

I'll be curious to see how the long break impacts Florida's momentum. They had a ton of momentum and you would prefer to just keep rolling into the finals.

They've had the toughest road to the finals by far and were pretty banged up. Maurice also rode heavily the top three lines and 5D so I think it's really good for them, probably struggle in the start of the first game but don't think it has any bigger effect. Maybe Bob is the only questionmark although now that he has finally found his game after years of inconsistent play, I would imagine it doesn't get lost after a couple of weeks.

[butterfly]

If Florida wins this, what an achievement. They had to play probably the four best teams in the league.

[JohnnyB]

This should be a great series. Both of these teams can play a hard game. The Knights are the most physical opponent the Panthers have played since the Bruins, and being physical was one of the characteristics of the Bruins' play when they would go through stretches of dominating the Panthers. I suspect that success of the Bennett-Tkachuk line will be key to getting momentum for the Panthers by winning the physical battles as well as putting up points, just as they did in round one.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by butterfly

If Florida wins this, what an achievement. They had to play probably the four best teams in the league.

If they win it, you could say they had to play the second through fifth best teams in the league.

[Tegra_devil]

Go florida flames Go. I have no issues with tkachuk or bennett... Or our sprinkling of other former flames...

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

This should be a great series. Both of these teams can play a hard game. The Knights are the most physical opponent the Panthers have played since the Bruins, and being physical was one of the characteristics of the Bruins' play when they would go through stretches of dominating the Panthers. I suspect that success of the Bennett-Tkachuk line will be key to getting momentum for the Panthers by winning the physical battles as well as putting up points, just as they did in round one.

Vegas has such depth and plays such a solid defensive game, that it could cause trouble for the Panthers offense.

I think Vegas has the slight advantage, and I'd be surprised if it didn't go at least 6 games.

[SuperMatt18]

I'm intrigued to see how player deployment evolves in this series.

Vegas has went for more balance with it's top forwards.

Eichel: 19:19
Stone: 18:51
Stephenson: 18:14
Karlsson: 17:41
Marchessault: 17:32
Smith: 16:55

Where Florida has really loaded up with their top 5:

Tkachuk: 22:42
Barkov: 22:17
Reinhart: 21:59
Bennett: 21:04
Verhaeghe: 20:15
Lundell: 18:01

Does Vegas try to continue to win with their depth...or do they try to match up directly against the top end of Florida a bit more.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I'm intrigued to see how player deployment evolves in this series.

Vegas has went for more balance with it's top forwards.

Eichel: 19:19
Stone: 18:51
Stephenson: 18:14
Karlsson: 17:41
Marchessault: 17:32
Smith: 16:55

Where Florida has really loaded up with their top 5:

Tkachuk: 22:42
Barkov: 22:17
Reinhart: 21:59
Bennett: 21:04
Verhaeghe: 20:15
Lundell: 18:01

Does Vegas try to continue to win with their depth...or do they try to match up directly against the top end of Florida a bit more.

I’m good with that as I have three of those top five Florida players in my draft.

[GioforPM]

I think a big thing will be whether Hill was really playing hurt and if so, will be recover.

Plus Hill has had more peaks and valleys so we'll see if his present form holds up even if he's healthy.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I'm intrigued to see how player deployment evolves in this series.

Vegas has went for more balance with it's top forwards.

Eichel: 19:19
Stone: 18:51
Stephenson: 18:14
Karlsson: 17:41
Marchessault: 17:32
Smith: 16:55

Where Florida has really loaded up with their top 5:

Tkachuk: 22:42
Barkov: 22:17
Reinhart: 21:59
Bennett: 21:04
Verhaeghe: 20:15
Lundell: 18:01

Does Vegas try to continue to win with their depth...or do they try to match up directly against the top end of Florida a bit more.

This is interesting considering all the noise around the deployment for the Flames this year.

[FanIn80]

Avg ice time per game may be skewed a bit by playing two full games in Game 1 vs Carolina