Stanley Cup Final - Golden Knights (P1) vs Capitals (M1)

[Manhattanboy]

Whoa I didn’t know TJ Oshie was acquired by the Caps for Troy Brouwer et al.

[Looch City]

I all of sudden ####ing hate Vegas.

Hope they lose 10-0 and their fans riot.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Kuznetsov is the prohibitive Conn Smythe winner after this game. What a performance in both the last two.

That dude has been flying since the playoffs started. In my opinion, he's one of the reasons why the Caps are where they are. It couldn't be just Ovechkin doing everything, he needed support. Unfortunately, Backstrom couldn't quite do that the last few years.

[nik-]

Unless Kuznetsov really widens the gap more, it's Ovechkin's Conn Smythe.

Story matters and sometimes it's not just the best player with the most points. Ovechkin has been beasting all playoffs, he has the most goals and the second most points.

It's his.

[Passe La Puck]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Whoa I didn’t know TJ Oshie was acquired by the Caps for Troy Brouwer et al.

What a steal by the Caps! ...think we could do that trade again haha?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Kuznetsov is the prohibitive Conn Smythe winner after this game. What a performance in both the last two.

As long as something like that is voted for, should the Caps win, the multi year Ovechkin narrative stands a good chance of seeing him prevail.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Hopefully one more game and this debacle will finally be over.

Stanley Cup contending expansion team*. What a sick joke.

*New expansion rules giving you 1 1/2 teams worth of NHL depth.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by nik-

Unless Kuznetsov really widens the gap more, it's Ovechkin's Conn Smythe.

Story matters and sometimes it's not just the best player with the most points. Ovechkin has been beasting all playoffs, he has the most goals and the second most points.

It's his.

Force of will alone should ensure Ovi gets the CS, he wants the cup more than anyone I've seen during a single playoff run. You can see his teammates feeding off of that energy, I can't wait to see him (hopefully) lift the cup

[DeluxeMoustache]

That game was disappointing to watch.

When the balance of play is going one direction, and puck luck and reffing are both going the other way, and you get a lopsided hand that is in danger of getting out of hand, it’s not that enjoyable to watch.

The 4th goal, when Neal gets 2 but the guy who bloodies his face gets nothing, (never mind 4 by the letter of the law), was deflating and totally on the refs.

Hearing knuckleheads trot out save percentage, irrespective of the type of goals that were scored, is exhausting.

Well, unless you are one of the folks who is irrationally anti Vegas simply because they are an expansion team, or the handful of very pro Caps folks here.

I wanted to see a good game and that was not one.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Redrum

*New expansion rules giving you 1 1/2 teams worth of NHL depth.

Exactly. What a farce.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

That game was disappointing to watch.

When the balance of play is going one direction, and puck luck and reffing are both going the other way, and you get a lopsided hand that is in danger of getting out of hand, it’s not that enjoyable to watch.

The 4th goal, when Neal gets 2 but the guy who bloodies his face gets nothing, (never mind 4 by the letter of the law), was deflating and totally on the refs.

Hearing knuckleheads trot out save percentage, irrespective of the type of goals that were scored, is exhausting.

Well, unless you are one of the folks who is irrationally anti Vegas simply because they are an expansion team, or the handful of very pro Caps folks here.

I wanted to see a good game and that was not one.

Vegas did it to themselves. Refs were sick of calling the head snap backs and let them go. Vegas was very Canuck like in tonights game. they've been getting nowhere for three games now and their frustration finally boiled over. Not the refs fault the the embellishment wasn't being sold properly.

McNabb has been walking a fine line with his hits from behind or high hits. It was eventual they weren't going to give him much leeway. Reaves trying get Wilson to bite only to have that play blow up in his face with a 4 on 4 goal.
Neals diving was exposed and even his most loving of supporters up in the booth called him out for it.

If you want to point the gun, point it at Vegas' foot, because they've been shooting themselves there for a week now.

And Fleury....well his team hasn't been helping him any, but he sure isn't saving their bacon this series like he has all playoffs.

[DeluxeMoustache]

^ yeah, goaltending doesn’t work like that

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

^ yeah, goaltending doesn’t work like that

Maybe dive a little more into that thought. Goaltending works just like that. Fleury has let in more than 3 goals per game in the Finals. Prior to that he was a rock wall. Perhaps he's straight up out of gas.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Maybe dive a little more into that though. Goaltending works just like that. Fleury has let in more than 3 goals per game in the Finals. Prior to that he was a rock wall. Perhaps he's straight up out of gas.

Nope. Some shots are not reasonably stoppable. Maybe you should rewatch the GA and figure out what of those shots fit in to the 90 pct likely to be saved category.

I would agree that Was generated a lot of grade A chances and hit the net.

Holtby sure didn’t outplay him.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Nope. Some shots are not reasonably stoppable. Maybe you should rewatch the GA and figure out what of those shots fit in to the 90 pct likely to be saved category.

I would agree that Was generated a lot of grade A chances and hit the net.

Holtby sure didn’t outplay him.

Well, the enitre caps team has outplayed Vegas 3 games to 1 and even then that is largely debateable as game #1 could have went either way as both teams were pretty mediocre.

Things Holtby is recieving from his team mates:
Quality shot blocking
Quality stick work from all players in the D zone limiting cross ice plays
Quality work limiting secondary chances

Things Fleury is receiving from his team mates:
None of what Holby is getting.

But Holtby also has made more key saves to turn momentum for his team.


Who knows, how this series would look if Holtby didn't make "The Save" in game #2. We could be talking about a whole different series right now.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Well, the enitre caps team has outplayed Vegas 3 games to 1 and even then that is largely debateable as game #1 could have went either way as both teams were pretty mediocre.

Things Holtby is recieving from his team mates:
Quality shot blocking
Quality stick work from all players in the D zone limiting cross ice plays
Quality work limiting secondary chances

Things Fleury is receiving from his team mates:
None of what Holby is getting.

But Holtby also has made more key saves to turn momentum for his team.


Who knows, how this series would look if Holtby didn't make "The Save" in game #2. We could be talking about a whole different series right now.

Fair points. Holtby is very much for the most part being asked to save what he should. The save was a highlight reel game saver.

I think based on how the teams have played, no team deserves to be on the brink of eliminating the other and we should have a 2-2 series.

I didn’t think the Caps outplayed Vegas tonight until the 4th goal. They had puck luck with skate to stick on 2 goals, where Fleury was close to making saves, and Vegas hit posts while Holtby was down and out, or just missed the muffin point shot. Then the call on Neal with the missed 4 min added bad reffing to Wash puck luck.

Easier to maintain your composure when you have the score, the bounces and the calls, of course.

I get it, it happens, just makes a SC final win feel less justly earned.

[EldrickOnIce]

Less justly earned?
Caps are full value for 3-1 lead.
I get it. You are on the Vegas bandwagon, and are disappointed. Myself, I happy the charade is almost over.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Less justly earned?
Caps are full value for 3-1 lead.
I get it. You are on the Vegas bandwagon, and are disappointed. Myself, I happy the charade is almost over.

No, I like Fleury and Engelland. I also like and admire Ovechkin and some other Caps.

I have at times thought I preferred either to win for various reasons, but actually don’t have a strong leaning either way.

You have played your hand, and appear to have chosen to view the game play to suit your narrative.

Me, I’m disappointed. That’s all

[3rd liner]

Originally Posted by dino7c

All shoulder...Vegas looking like the Canucks from the finals a few years back with all the head snapping

Absolutely, was thinking the exact same thing. The vegas strategy of taking the first shot then embellishing on the retaliation is coming back to bite them. The wheels are coming off Cinderella's carriage.

[3rd liner]

Putting Reaves on with 1 min left. Classy Gallant. Go home, you just got your *ss whooped.