Kings predicted third in Pacific

[Matt13]

This article was written before last nights game. I think we can all agree they might as well start engraving The Stanley Cup now for The Kings.

 

[Ghetty Green]

I think LA, Vancouver and Calgary are all interchangeable as far as where i think they will finish this year in the standings. Could understand an argument for any one of them being better than the other two.

I dont see Calgary being a top 4 team either. A lot of these teams get preseason hype simply for being a Canadian team. No Canadian media is going to come out and say their local team is not gonna make the playoffs. The teams in Canada have significant influence in terms of how they are covered locally and nationally.

 

[YP44]

I dont see Calgary being a top 4 team either. A lot of these teams get preseason hype simply for being a Canadian team. No Canadian media is going to come out and say their local team is not gonna make the playoffs. The teams in Canada have significant influence in terms of how they are covered locally and nationally.

local media here is very sour on the flames.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

I'm very confident in my prediction for how the season plays out for the Kings and the Pacific. Who knows?

 

[Stimpythecat]

every year, 3-6 teams make the playoffs that did not make it the prior season.

The kings improved at multiple positions. Some Pacific teams got worse. And some are rebuilding. So why can't the kings be one of those 3-6 teams?

 

[Legionnaire]

Not true

They're a worse version of the oilers with better goaltending but and worse d core. They have poor depth too. 1 or 2 injuries and they're even more f***ed

Totally disagree. They have one of the deepest teams in the league offensively. Defense will largely depend on OEL's play.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I don’t think Vegas is a lock to win the division by any means. Fleury was a big locker room presence for them, and they seem to be bottoming out as final four contender and nothing more. That can have an effect on a team. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them struggle a bit this season.

 

[bland]

Folks have been dumping on the Pacific all Summer, but I see it differently. There are going to be some very talented, very flawed teams battling each other.

Analogy for Premier League fans: I would MUCH rather watch West Ham vs Brighton than Chelsea vs Man City. Flawed teams with definite strengths and weaknesses going for it instead of powerhouses nullifying each other.

There will be surprises here, and one could definitely argue that Vancouver, LA and Calgary will be a really fun race.

 

[bland]

I don’t think Vegas is a lock to win the division by any means. Fleury was a big locker room presence for them, and they seem to be bottoming out as final four contender and nothing more. That can have an effect on a team. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them struggle a bit this season.

They were also sussed out by Montreal last year.

Vegas has one plan. The weak side winger and defenseman constantly cycle with each other to confuse defenders and create cross ice passing lanes at the very top of the circles. Eliminate that, and they don't have nearly the same attack down low. Danault stifled them. Teams used to keep their third man low to defend and their wingers would get lost in the movement so Vegas always had someone cutting in from deep to the back post. Montreal kept their third man high, all the way to the top of the circles, and it just shut them down completely.

If they don't have a plan B, and de Boer has NEVER had a plan B, then they are coming back down to Earth hard.

 

[Schrute farms]

I don’t think Vegas is a lock to win the division by any means. Fleury was a big locker room presence for them, and they seem to be bottoming out as final four contender and nothing more. That can have an effect on a team. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them struggle a bit this season.

From your lips to God’s ears…

 

[Fishhead]

I don’t think Vegas is a lock to win the division by any means. Fleury was a big locker room presence for them, and they seem to be bottoming out as final four contender and nothing more. That can have an effect on a team. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them struggle a bit this season.

Their key players are drifting to the other side of peak production ages, too.

Stone - 29
Pac - 32
Karlsson - 28
Marchessault - 30
Smith - 30
Dadonov - 32
Pietrangelo - 31
Martinez - 34
Theodore - 26
McNabb - 30
Lehner - 30

No one is terribly past their prime, but it's a documented fact that things drop off after 28 or so. Faceoff skills stay high, but you take more penalties, WAR drops, etc.

 

[kilowatt]

If Vegas is relying on Nolan Patrick to be their 2C, they're in for a rough go.

 

[Matt13]

This article was written before last nights game. I think we can all agree they might as well start engraving The Stanley Cup now for The Kings.

Please disregard the above post

 

[ru4reals]

I just don't see it. It would be pretty damn incredible if we did finish 3rd in the Pacific. Even if the Kings are in, arguably the weakest division in the NHL with Seattle, I would be surprised if we finished 3rd.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

I think their D gets underrated a bit. I think Nurse is set to have a breakout season and I'd guess the Oilers brass do as well after that contract.

Goaltending. Yeah. That's the big question. Smith can be rock solid at times and then fall to pieces - just like the Kings of old.

Only Nurse was good the season I watched. The rest of their D, bahhh!, a creative offensive squad will take advantage of their bad decision making and slow mobility. They are awfull except Nurse.

This team is McDavid and Draisatle. Period.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

I don’t think Vegas is a lock to win the division by any means. Fleury was a big locker room presence for them, and they seem to be bottoming out as final four contender and nothing more. That can have an effect on a team. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them struggle a bit this season.

I don't think they will struggle that much, the rest of the team is pretty solid, offence and defence overall. compared to the crappy west division. So many rebuilding teams.
Kings will end between 3rd and 6th. Danault will shut down any top offensive line he will face. He will be the difference factor in making or not the PO. I announce officially you will have a play off run next year. Enjoy it.

 

[aceofpace]

I don't think the Pacific will be as louzy as everyone say it will be simply because of the ridiculously low expectations. Hence, 3rd is awfully optimistic. The Athletic says we will finish 7th (ahead of only Anaheim). My guess is we will finish somewhere in between.