Stanley Cup Bracket 2018

[flatbutt]

In hindsight it is easy to see that Wilson was late on the hit. At game speed not so much. None the less I think that type of hit is less "finishing your check" and more "bush league". Remember Avery trying to screen Brodeur by waving his stick in Brodeurs face? That kind of bush league.

Wilsons check did not serve to stop a scoring chance or even stop the advancement of the puck or a play.

Oh as for tonight....as stated the goalies have been bloodied and they will clamp down. I think a low scoring game with an even chance for either to win.

[beatnavy]

Wow. Boys, we have a series. And can talk about hockey, not controversy.

I think I need a drink if I'm going to get to sleep tonight...

[Por_sha911]

Both games have had high entertainment value. Both teams playing cup hockey. To me, the defining moment was the Caps holding the line when killing a 5 on 3.
The Caps have their FIRST Stanley Cup final game win. Lets see if they can keep it going at home.

[flatbutt]

If it splits in Washington oh baby.

[rfuerst911sc]

A split in Washington is really what we all want because we want it to go seven . I turned the game off last night when it became 3-1 . Next game is Saturday correct ?

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

A split in Washington is really what we all want because we want it to go seven . I turned the game off last night when it became 3-1 . Next game is Saturday correct ?

Yes. You missed Holtbys save on Tuch? I can't choose the best face after that save Tuchs or Ovis.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Yes. You missed Holtbys save on Tuch? I can't choose the best face after that save Tuchs or Ovis.

Yeah I missed it but I saw the replay this morning that was a game winner no doubt .

[beatnavy]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Yes. You missed Holtbys save on Tuch? I can't choose the best face after that save Tuchs or Ovis.

Ovi's face said it all. Whatever's Russian for "I can't f-in deal with this anymore." And that's WITH the save.

[Por_sha911]

The Holtby save was a thing of beauty but it has been done before in playoffs

[911boost]

Good game!

[rfuerst911sc]

Now we get to see how Vegas responds with the pressure to win on them . I'm sure they don't want to go home down 3 - 1 in the series .

[beatnavy]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Now we get to see how Vegas responds with the pressure to win on them .

Yeah, good test. They really haven't had to deal with adversity at all in the playoffs. Do they respond or fold?

Caps seemed to have figured out how to defend them, and Vegas isn't getting as many quality chances as one would expect. Save for one rather ill-advised play by Holtby he'd have another shutout.

[Por_sha911]

Awesome game last night. The Caps need to the game plan of 1) banging bodies and physically wearing down the Knights and, 2) staying out of the penalty box.
Holtby has been his best the last few games. Lets see if he can keep going.

[flatbutt]

Man Vegas can't buy a goal. Their shanks are making Holtby look even better than he is. The Vegas front needs to produce now but they may be stuck in quicksand at this point. Very disappointing final so far.

edit: the Cup deserves better

[beatnavy]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Man Vegas can't buy a goal. Their shanks are making Holtby look even better than he is. The Vegas front needs to produce now but they may be stuck in quicksand at this point. Very disappointing final so far.

edit: the Cup deserves better

Well, Caps fans are happy, but I can see where this would be disappointing for about everyone else, especially after pretty exciting first three games. Vegas got some bad breaks and finally just got frustrated, which clearly showed.

Game 5 will likely be more of the same if they start getting bad bounces. They'll come out really strong in the first period like they have all series, and they'll either score and have some wind at their back or fold entirely. I imagine these players come out really fired up at the beginning of each game, but after three shifts (and a couple of heavy hits by Wilson, Ovi, Oshie, etc.) it's probably hard to maintain that intensity.

Here's some trivia: the Caps have blown more 3 - 1 playoff leads (five) than any other major North American sports team

[rfuerst911sc]

For those of you that are old enough remember when Don Merideth on Monday night football would sing " turn out the lights the party's over " I think it may be time to sing Washington defense is smothering and Vegas defense not helping Fleury like they have previously . Man how many times has Vegas hit the pipes ??? Sure it's possible for Vegas to come back but it is a HUGE hole they have to climb out of . I am really hoping my prediction of the series ending in 5 games does NOT come true !

[flatbutt]

When I saw Vegas miss two wide open nets, and I mean literally wide open I figured they were done. MAF is just being left on his own. At times like this it's hard for a goalie to take comfort from the fact that the puck had to get by five other guys before it gets to him. If Vegas closed down low as Washington does and then used their speed to break out it might be different.

[flatbutt]

Sounds like Vegas has given up

"Gerard Gallant's message sounded a lot like his words from about eight months ago, before the Vegas Golden Knights played their first game.
"The pressure is off us now," the coach said on a conference call Tuesday. "We're going to go out and play and work hard and go have some fun. So we'll see what happens.""

I doubt that Washington will blow a 3-1 lead even though they've done it before.

[flatbutt]

bump

[rfuerst911sc]

With nothing to lose and playing free the Knights may just pull off a win tonight . Then who knows what could happen but the Caps are looking VERY strong . I would be OK seeing Ovi hoist the cup .