Around the League - 2023/24

[redacted]

The Vegas love is becoming a bit much for me.

Holy f*** ya’ll, do you want to just bend over now, or do it later?

They’re a great team, no doubt, but everyone talks about how they can pressure Colorado. Last time I checked, that’s Colorado’s game and this year, we’ve finally ditched the ineffective tiny guys in the bottom-6.

It isn't Vegas love, it is the style the play is heavy and with their expected forward depth and size, they can easily roll 4 lines and beat the piss out of times.

The bottom 6 is less of a question compared to the defense... the Avs defense is smaller this go round than it has been in any other run.

 

[AVSfan2daMAX]

In 2021 Vegas exploited a defense with Ryan Graves, Patrik Nemeth and Connor Timmins. The defense has basically been overhauled since then.

And a lot of Girard's problems in that series stemmed from playing on his offhand with a donkey in Ryan Graves.

 

[Balthazar]

The Vegas love is becoming a bit much for me.

Holy f*** ya’ll, do you want to just bend over now, or do it later?

They’re a great team, no doubt, but everyone talks about how they can pressure Colorado. Last time I checked, that’s Colorado’s game and this year, we’ve finally ditched the ineffective tiny guys in the bottom-6.

Has nothing to do with love.

They are the current cup champs for a reason and they have a history of giving us Hell.

Dismissing that they can be a big problem is nothing but pure homerism.

 

[NorthernAvsFan]

It isn't Vegas love, it is the style the play is heavy and with their expected forward depth and size, they can easily roll 4 lines and beat the piss out of times.

The bottom 6 is less of a question compared to the defense... the Avs defense is smaller this go round than it has been in any other run.

I’d say the Avs defence is a little worse than the cup run, and their forward group is a little better. Whether that’s a bad, or good thing, only time will tell.

What I’m saying is… the challenges Colorado will face against Vegas are the same challenges Vegas will have to face. Colorado is f***ing relentless with their pace since the deadline now that the personnel is fitting perfectly together.

 

[Balthazar]

It isn't Vegas love, it is the style the play is heavy and with their expected forward depth and size, they can easily roll 4 lines and beat the piss out of times.

The bottom 6 is less of a question compared to the defense... the Avs defense is smaller this go round than it has been in any other run.

There's also the fact that they are missing 4 huge pieces in their lineup and these guys will be back.

When the Avs are missing a few players people are quick to link the team struggling to injuries...yet Vegas is currently playing without their 1W, 1G, 1D and and 2C. That's ridiculous.

 

[NorthernAvsFan]

Has nothing to do with love.

They are the current cup champs for a reason and they have a history of giving us Hell.

Dismissing that they can be a big problem is nothing but pure homerism.

It goes both ways. Not acknowledging that Colorado is a big problem for Vegas is just being blind.

Two great teams. Nothing wrong with a heavy weight fight. May the best team win.

 

[Balthazar]

It goes both ways. Not acknowledging that Colorado is a big problem for Vegas is just being blind.

Nobody said that though.

I'm no Vegas fan so I'm not gonna get worried about them getting their ass kicked.

 

[LOFIN]

The thing is, Vegas have had a pretty good lineup with basically all their regulars at points during this season. And they have looked shit outside of the first 15ish games.

The team is not playing the same way it did a year ago.

 

[redacted]

I’d say the Avs defence is a little worse than the cup run, and their forward group is a little better. Whether that’s a bad, or good thing, only time will tell.

What I’m saying is… the challenges Colorado will face against Vegas are the same challenges Vegas will have to face. Colorado is f***ing relentless with their pace since the deadline now that the personnel is fitting perfectly together.

Vegas is built differently. They are not a team that relies on retrieval and quick transition to be successful on both sides of the ice. They've built their D to be able to battle for pucks and handle forechecks. They are more than willing to face a heavy pressure team because they can win the battles more often than not, and then provide that same pressure. Vegas is more of a wear you down sort of build than an overpower. More of the type of team that may not dominate games 1-4, but looks to split knowing that their style will give them an advantage in games 5-7. Also, they are built to grind games out in OT when needed.

That isn't to say that Colorado can't beat or provide issues that Vegas can't overcome... just Vegas is specifically built to handle heavy forechecking pressure and then grind teams into a pulp.

 

[NorthernAvsFan]

Vegas is built differently. They are not a team that relies on retrieval and quick transition to be successful on both sides of the ice. They've built their D to be able to battle for pucks and handle forechecks. They are more than willing to face a heavy pressure team because they can win the battles more often than not, and then provide that same pressure. Vegas is more of a wear you down sort of build than an overpower. More of the type of team that may not dominate games 1-4, but looks to split knowing that their style will give them an advantage in games 5-7. Also, they are built to grind games out in OT when needed.

That isn't to say that Colorado can't beat or provide issues that Vegas can't overcome... just Vegas is specifically built to handle heavy forechecking pressure and then grind teams into a pulp.

Yeah, I’d agree. They are definitely different styles. I don’t think Vegas is immune to Colorado’s pressure though.

Certainly Vegas can cause issues for Colorado, just a question of who can better impose their game.

Colorado wasn’t well equipped for Vegas last time around. JT2C was the second line centre and the Avs were an inexperienced group.

It doesn’t get talked about a lot, but Nathan Raymond MacKinnon is at the height of his powers right now… Vegas doesn’t have anybody that can match that. He is a X factor for Colorado in a series with a lot of good players.

I respect them. I respect everybody in the West. Literally could see any team taking Colorado to 7 games, or even pulling off an upset. What I don’t like is shrinking and not giving this team credit for looking damn good.

 

[dahrougem2]

There's also the fact that they are missing 4 huge pieces in their lineup and these guys will be back.

When the Avs are missing a few players people are quick to link the team struggling to injuries...yet Vegas is currently playing without their 1W, 1G, 1D and and 2C. That's ridiculous.

It's not ridiculous. It literally cannot happen in the regular season to bring Stone and Hertl in.

Vegas beat an Avs D in 2021 that featured Graves, Timmins, and Nemeth. Slow, bad puck retrievers/movers or both in Nemeth's case.

Manson, Walker, and even JMFJ are huge upgrades, while our bottom six has become cycling bullies instead of the Josts, Donskois, and Newhooks of the world.

This series would be totally different. I get people are worried about Vegas' roster at 98M, I am too. But that team does not scare me. I respect them, I don't fear them.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Give me anybody except for Vegas.

Our speed, transition game, and depth can overcome any team, but Vegas every second night wears on us. I fear we'll be beaten to a pulp on the forecheck and endless cycling.

That’s why I’d prefer them earlier. Dealing with all that forechecking in round 2/3 when we’re more beat up would be worse for us. Plus Vegas probably will be going through figuring out the chemistry with the new guys and getting them back into game shape. Idk I’m not overly worried with this team. We probably need to go through them anyways so get it over with as fast as possible.

 

[LOFIN]

I remember debating with Leaf fans on the mains in the Autumn, that this smells like LTIR shenanigans (where the player could play, but doesn't). And sure enough, Matt Murray seems to be getting healthy just in time for the playoffs. He was just not in the position to say no to the Leafs, when they proposed it. It was either LTIR for the season, get surgery and get healthy, or get your contract bought out.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[LOFIN]

 

[Pokecheque]

Wow. Contrition from Torts! Don't see that often...or ever.

 

[redacted]

Wow. Contrition from Torts! Don't see that often...or ever.

It actually happens a decent amount... it just doesn't grab the attention the same way.

 

[EdAVSfan]

Vegas is the team I least want to face in the first round... they play a style the Avs just don't matchup well with, and they will have a better team game 1 of the playoffs than today. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but avoiding that immediate matchup is certainly preferred.

To me the order goes: Nashville-Winnipeg-Dallas-Vegas.

Where would LA fit in that order?

 

[redacted]

Where would LA fit in that order?

I'd put them between Winnipeg and Dallas, but I think the odds of facing them are extremely low. They'll likely finish 2nd or 3rd in the pacific and get boatraced by Edmonton.

 

[Pokecheque]

I don't care that the Lou is the member of two Halls of Fame and has multiple Cup rings and a stellar reputations as one of the best builders in hockey history. If any GM signed a player like Mayfield to that contract, I'd fire him the next day. And the worst part is that Mayfield has gone pillow soft (at least he is whenever I see him play) since signing that deal.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I’d love to face Edmonton at some point in the playoffs. I’ll just throw that out there.

They don’t scare me at all over 7 games. Might beat us once or twice with the offense, but our forwards would overwhelm that shaky defense a majority of the time. Also, our depth murders them. Brutal bottom 6.

 

[Avs_19]

Torts is a jerk. Always has been and I wouldn't want him anywhere near my favourite team and I'm so glad it didn't happen when some for clamoring for "tough love" because Bednar couldn't get it done.

 

[EdAVSfan]

I think what’s important to note with Vegas is yes they are a good team. And yes they will be a difficult out for the Avs.
And if they are as good as everyone says, then you have to figure out when you want to face them. Is it in the first round? Or later?

Because in the first round, you’re getting Stone who hasnt played since February 20th.

And Hertl who hasn’t played since end of January and had knee surgery.

 

[Balthazar]

Wow. Contrition from Torts! Don't see that often...or ever.

It actually happens a decent amount...

A decent amount eh?

So when Torts does it it's cute but when it's Dater it's bad and he needs therapy?

 

[SaltySkywalker]

this. Way too many games left for these mental gymnastics

Yep, it's pointless to put too much stock in anything for at least another 5+ games. Same with the Hart Race which some have already anointed Kuch to win. So much could happen let's just enjoy.