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

[JohnnyB]

The cap circumvention is really the only thing that makes me dislike the idea of Vegas getting the cup. I like their players. I like the way the play the game. I like the theatrics around the team and the pre-games. The story of Hill coming in and playing the way he has is great. I just don't like how they've dodged the cap to bend one of the most fundamental rules in establishing a level playing field for all teams. The NHL has basically given tacit endorsement to teams doing it, so there's a sense in which you can't blame them for doing it, but I don't like that the NHL turns a blind eye to it and it definitely taints the cup win in my eyes, as it did when Tampa won with such a roster.

[dino7c]

Florida would also be over the cap if Horquist was healthy and I'm sure they would use him if they could

hate the game not the player, league needs to change the rule but as is they are doing nothing wrong

[SuperMatt18]

It was actually surprising to me that the lineup that Vegas has dressed in this series would be under the cap.

So the cap circumvention is still a bit annoying...but in the end for this season at least the actual roster on the ice would still be under the cap.

Which has always been what I said the rule should be (can't dress a roster over the cap in the playoffs), so I'm less fussed with it this year.

[activeStick]

dino, my guy, go to T-Mobile arena at 3PM Pacific to catch Steve Aoki live!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by activeStick

dino, my guy, go to T-Mobile arena at 3PM Pacific to catch Steve Aoki live!

Heading down now...I'm at NY NY so its a Stones throw

wish me luck, could be a wild night

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Heading down now...I'm at NY NY so its a Stones throw

wish me luck, could be a wild night

They're also going to be giving free permanent or temporary tattoos outside of the arena apparently

[Sylvanfan]

I think the series ends tonight. Going to be hard to pick one guy from Vegas as a Conn Smythe winner. For this round you could pick Hill but having not played their first 7 games hard to say how much that goes against him. Lots of big contributors as Eichel, Stone, Marchessault, Stephenson, Barbashev, Karlsson have all had strong playoffs up front. Been a very complete team effort to get the first 15 wins for them.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I think the series ends tonight. Going to be hard to pick one guy from Vegas as a Conn Smythe winner. For this round you could pick Hill but having not played their first 7 games hard to say how much that goes against him. Lots of big contributors as Eichel, Stone, Marchessault, Stephenson, Barbashev, Karlsson have all had strong playoffs up front. Been a very complete team effort to get the first 15 wins for them.

For me, it's Hill or Marchessault, but probably Marchessault. Hill's stats are amazing, and he turned the Oilers series around. Marchessault leads the playoffs in points, goals, even strength goals and points, plus minus, and has scored 3 game winners.

[Mathgod]

Marchy is winning it.

[midniteowl]

Any news on Tkachuk? Is he gonna play tonight?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Any news on Tkachuk? Is he gonna play tonight?

Brink of elimination? He'll be there.

How much he actually plays is anyone's guess.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Any news on Tkachuk? Is he gonna play tonight?

My guess, he won't be dressed. He had 4 shifts within the 3rd.

Its really obvious he is not 100%,

It looked like he had a tough time shooting, wonder if his hand or wrist is broke

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Locke

Brink of elimination? He'll be there.

How much he actually plays is anyone's guess.

I kinda want to see him there, it wouldn't be the same if he isn't there.

[MissTeeks]

Maurice said this morning he knew if Tkachuk was playing tonight but he wasn’t sharing.

[Sylvanfan]

The fact that after the last game Tkachuck was the one guy not mixing it up until he saw Pietrangelo come out of the box tells me he may be done. I suspect he saw an opportunity to goad A.P. into a second Suspension which likely would have been two games to try and help his team knowing that he really can't right now.

[Saqe]

Going to be interesting to see if the Panthers have anything left at this point. Injuries piling on top of everything else, would need a small miracle to pull off a win. They've been an extremely resilient bunch in the playoffs though so hoping at least for a good showing!

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The fact that after the last game Tkachuck was the one guy not mixing it up until he saw Pietrangelo come out of the box tells me he may be done. I suspect he saw an opportunity to goad A.P. into a second Suspension which likely would have been two games to try and help his team knowing that he really can't right now.

It was a 6-on-4 so that could have been why. Also he did take a swipe at Whitecloud before Pietrangelo came back.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by flambers

My guess, he won't be dressed. He had 4 shifts within the 3rd.

Its really obvious he is not 100%,

It looked like he had a tough time shooting, wonder if his hand or wrist is broke

Heard on the radio the other day that they don't think it's his shoulder and heard today that in the dressing room it looked like he could barely move his left arm. My guess would be something broke as well, curious to hear what he has.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

For me, it's Hill or Marchessault, but probably Marchessault. Hill's stats are amazing, and he turned the Oilers series around. Marchessault leads the playoffs in points, goals, even strength goals and points, plus minus, and has scored 3 game winners.

For the record, he didn't "turn the Oilers series around". The series was 1-1 at the time and Vegas was in the lead IIRC

[FanIn80]

Hill has been the top goalie in these playoffs. I don't think they get to where they are with Quick.