WCSF: Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2) (VGK Lead 3-2)

[bossram]

I'm surprised Woodcroft went primarily to the McDavid + Draisaitl line combo again. It's too easy to matchup for Cassidy. He just sends out Stephenson/Stone/Pietrangelo out against them, knowing the rest of his lineup will crush the rest of EDM's forwards. And they did. Not even 4 goals from Draisaitl was enough.

EDM needs to split them up. Force Cassidy to choose which of them will take on his primary matchup players. It improves their depth down the lineup too.

 

[Leksand]

If you haven’t noticed him, I would consider that a good sign no? Means he’s not a defensive liability.

Yes definitely, but I also admit I haven’t watched Broberg that closely most recently. So I’m interested to hear what others have seen. Broberg could replace Desharnais to some degree?

 

[joestevens29]

Edmonton has gotta get Vincent Desharnais out of there. It's hard to see how a Number 6 Defenseman can be so destructive. Surely they gotta have a better option there?

Not really unless Broberg can step it in and play more.

Vinny being an older rookie at 26 and playing a pretty simple game was something the team really banked on converting to the playoffs.

Not sure putting in Kemp or Dineen who have never played in the NHL is much of an option. Niemo was getting blown up in the regular season a lot, so I don't know he's a better option either.

Option 1, which has been an issue for so many years here is the forwards actually doing their jobs in their own end. That will take a lot of pressure off our d as a whole.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Your regular season goal stats mean nothing in the playoffs because it's a different beast. You know this.

I literally showed you playoff stats too...

 

[joestevens29]

Yes definitely, but I also admit I haven’t watched Broberg that closely most recently. So I’m interested to hear what others have seen. Broberg could replace Desharnais to some degree?

One would hope, but this isn't the first time Vinny has had tough games and Broberg's minutes haven't exactly elevated to a decent amount.

Not sure if the coaches see something they don't like in Broberg or if there is some sort of lingering injury or just plain dumb coaching

 

[Saidin]

I love it when Stone scores a goal. He gets so jacked up for it.

 

[snag]

"Crappy team because they rely solely on two guys and the PP."

Better?

Sure. Wasn't asking you to blow sunshine up my ass

 

[North Cole]

A lucky bounce 5v5 and two powerplay goals is what caused you to be in this game. Vegas tightens up their play and it’s Vegas all day 5v5.


If you haven’t noticed him, I would consider that a good sign no? Means he’s not a defensive liability.

Right, right. The two Vegas power play goals are probably fine though because reasons. Edmonton apparently has no option to tighten up their play and actually form a breakout. Guess it's Vegas in 4.

 

[Muffin]

 

[North Cole]

Part of hockey, this is why I don't get all of the upset in the Trouba/Meier thread, the hit was legal but people are up in arms because it was "not clean" despite being legal. Did he want to rock him and do some damage? Of course, but people don't like that. This situation is the same, do they want to get sticks on the back and throw hits on his back? Of course, and people don't like that. Playoffs is a war of attrition.

Oilers went through the exact same thing when everyone was targeting Drai's ankle. No reason for the Oilers to go easy on the next injured player they face. Knights will do the same when they run into an injured player. It's not like we can sit here and pretend that Alex P wouldn't be doing the same to an Oiler in front of the net if our player had a back injury.

 

[joestevens29]

I really don't know what is so shocking about the Oilers going after Stone. Kinda surprised Winnipeg didn't or maybe they did.

Any guy that just came back from injury or you see banged up is targeted.

Heck he would've had a target on his back even if he played 82 games. He's one of the Knights top players teams are generally all over top guys in the playoffs with this shit.

 

[CupInSIX]

How soft is hockey becoming that this is controversial?
I don't want them to do that but it's silly to not expect it.

 

[McShogun99]

Reporters and opposing teams should be banned from practices during the playoffs.

 

[BurnabyJoe7]

Disgusting behavior from one of the most unlikable teams in the league.

Welcome to NHL playoff hockey. You see this every shift in the playoffs. You're just ignorant if you think they'll spare him or anyone else because they have a nagging injury. Look at the flames hacking Draisaitl's ankles last year.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Meh no different than any other series. What do you want the Oilers to do give him a massage and ask if his back feels better?

 

[dukedukowski]

 

[SEALBound]

So tough with #1 because LA did that, and still lost. Teams have to figure out how to defend the Oilers PP better, you allow a team to keep cruising near 60% on the PP, doesn't really matter how little penalties you take, you probably deserve to lose.

Best way to control a hazard is to eliminate. Don't put them on the PP, lol. That's why I said, I would be telling guys - hey back off just that little bit to go out of your way NOT to go on the PP. I would even look into a permanent double team of each McD and Drai. I'd force the Oilers to win with Hyman, Kane, and RNH, etc. It's how teams like Montreal and Boston beat the Penguins with prime Sid and Geno.

 

[PromisedLand]

oilers gotta hit the casinos to get over that 1st game. Drai man you definitely should. 4 goals in a playoff game is as good as winning the jackpot

 

[Artemi Panarin]

oilers gotta hit the casinos to get over that 1st game. Drai man you definitely should. 4 goals in a playoff game is as good as winning the jackpot

With their lottery luck, they should hit the slot machines all night long.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Extra day off in Vegas is not good thing for the Oilers when Kane is on the team.

 

[HugginThePost]

Welcome to NHL playoff hockey. You see this every shift in the playoffs. You're just ignorant if you think they'll spare him or anyone else because they have a nagging injury. Look at the flames hacking Draisaitl's ankles last year.

Guess the Knights need to do a little scouting and see what's bothering McDavid that last little while. Then start exploiting it! I'm sure it will be all good! Nothing to see here. Not even worth mentioning, to be honest.

 

[theslatcher]

I'm surprised Woodcroft went primarily to the McDavid + Draisaitl line combo again. It's too easy to matchup for Cassidy. He just sends out Stephenson/Stone/Pietrangelo out against them, knowing the rest of his lineup will crush the rest of EDM's forwards. And they did. Not even 4 goals from Draisaitl was enough.

EDM needs to split them up. Force Cassidy to choose which of them will take on his primary matchup players. It improves their depth down the lineup too.

Cassidy didn't just send out Stephenson/Stone against McDrai. Heck, Karlsson spent more time against them.

 

[bossram]

Cassidy didn't just send out Stephenson/Stone against McDrai. Heck, Karlsson spent more time against them.

Karlsson had 5:19 5v5 against McDavid. Stephenson/Stone were above 6 minutes. Pietrangelo near 8 minutes.

 

[theslatcher]

Karlsson had 5:19 5v5 against McDavid. Stephenson/Stone were above 6 minutes. Pietrangelo near 8 minutes.

Now do Drai.

 

[Mr Kot]

I'm surprised Woodcroft went primarily to the McDavid + Draisaitl line combo again. It's too easy to matchup for Cassidy. He just sends out Stephenson/Stone/Pietrangelo out against them, knowing the rest of his lineup will crush the rest of EDM's forwards. And they did. Not even 4 goals from Draisaitl was enough.

EDM needs to split them up. Force Cassidy to choose which of them will take on his primary matchup players. It improves their depth down the lineup too.

Not surprised. Every coach here defaults to it when they are panicking. Also, the wingers have been ass too.