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

[ManofSteel55]

So you would bench Eichel, Stone, and McNabb?

Benching McNabb might not be a bad idea actually.

 

[LTIR]

We did pretty badly at the whole stay out of the box strategy. The refs didn't help by calling us for penalties we totally did. Also screwed us over by calling a couple things the Oilers did. I said no penalties for either team

Oilers would take the 'no penalties' deal since it allows them to pound the crap out of VGK .
The first 2 games vs LA were entertaining as heck but ruined by refs/ over aggressive penalties . Want to see a team get to 100hits in a game.

 

[ManofSteel55]

I missed the first period last night but from what I did see I got the impression that the officials seemed to be somewhat ticky tacky in their calling of the game. I also got the impression that they were leaning a bit towards penalizing Vegas a bit harsher, at least when the game still mattered.

If it were called the other way I would be annoyed, as an Oilers fan. Obviously I'm glad we won the game but I'd be a hypocrite and dishonest if I didn't at least acknowledge the effect of the reffing.

Here's hoping that game 3 officials have less of an impact. It always feels a little gross when the refs stick their fingers that far into a game, regardless of who wins.

I dunno, I don't see how they can let either of the first two slide - the first I would actually consider a "good" penalty by Vegas, as that puck ends up in the net if the crosscheck never happened and the net didn't go off its moorings. The second was a lack of spatial awareness and stick control, but has to be called as it was a high stick, and the third is automatic on failed challenges. None of those feel like "ticky tacky" calls

 

[LTIR]

I missed the first period last night but from what I did see I got the impression that the officials seemed to be somewhat ticky tacky in their calling of the game. I also got the impression that they were leaning a bit towards penalizing Vegas a bit harsher, at least when the game still mattered.

If it were called the other way I would be annoyed, as an Oilers fan. Obviously I'm glad we won the game but I'd be a hypocrite and dishonest if I didn't at least acknowledge the effect of the reffing.

Here's hoping that game 3 officials have less of an impact. It always feels a little gross when the refs stick their fingers that far into a game, regardless of who wins.

How was it harsher against VGk? Likely biased point but all of the penalties against Oilers were 'ticky tacky' for a playoffs game aside from maybe Kane ground and pound koleslaw.

 

[missinthejets]

I dunno, I don't see how they can let either of the first two slide - the first I would actually consider a "good" penalty by Vegas, as that puck ends up in the net if the crosscheck never happened and the net didn't go off its moorings. The second was a lack of spatial awareness and stick control, but has to be called as it was a high stick, and the third is automatic on failed challenges. None of those feel like "ticky tacky" calls

And they gave Vegas the soft make up call after the first 2 oiler penalties anyway, just mcdavid scored the shorty.

Vegas got behind big early and never got into it and then tried the old take the L but send a physical message strategy. Not sure it worked but that was clearly what they were thinking.

 

[soothsayer]

Vegas hasn't looked good in either game 1 or 2. Not sure what some people liked about their game in game 1, but if that was Vegas' it game then it's over for them.

Without a doubt, LA looked much, much better than LV two games in.

 

[Homesick]

Vegas hasn't looked good in either game 1 or 2. Not sure what some people liked about their game in game 1, but if that was Vegas' it game then it's over for them.

Without a doubt, LA looked much, much better than LV two games in.

Kings and Oilers fans were pretty much in universal agreement that them playing each other in the first round would be the worst match up.

It's still a long way to go to reach 4 W's

 

[soothsayer]

Kings and Oilers fans were pretty much in universal agreement that them playing each other in the first round would be the worst match up.

It's still a long way to go to reach 4 W's

I said early on that the winner of LA-EDM goes to the SC finals. I'm sticking by that. Vegas has to hit another gear here and it can't be how they played in game 1 if they want to get to 4.

 

[HanSolo]

So, I bet the Oilers have eliminated this particular version of the Golden Knights. I don't think we'll see these Knights again in the series. It's the first time I can recall watching them give up on their game that badly - sloppy effort, puck management, and devoid of the coherent and strong team game they typically play. The Oilers ought to be ready for a completely different, far tighter and faster Knights in a few days.

They did it against Winnipeg too. As a Vegas fan after that game all I could think was "they can't play like that again these playoffs"

Here we are. There's a mentality issue here. They showed in game 1 of this series that they know how to play playoff hockey against a tough opponent. They let in one powerplay goal yesterday and immediately collapsed mentally.

 

[HanSolo]

Vegas hasn't looked good in either game 1 or 2. Not sure what some people liked about their game in game 1, but if that was Vegas' it game then it's over for them.

Without a doubt, LA looked much, much better than LV two games in.

Well no that wasn't Vegas' best but they did a lot of the right things and were putting in the work and effort to win battles. I don't think Edmonton played their best yesterday either.

 

[Icarium]

If you keep the oilers off the PP you will beat them.

VGK was utterly outplayed at even strength too until the score was basically out of reach. Let's see if they can deal with whatever EDM did to neutralise their forecheck because it was a night and day difference from game 1.

 

[Jumptheshark]

VGK was utterly outplayed at even strength too until the score was basically out of reach. Let's see if they can deal with whatever EDM did to neutralise their forecheck because it was a night and day difference from game 1.

Vegas will bounce back

 

[The Panther]

I didn't think Vegas played particularly well in game 1. You could say they played well enough to win, but it was more so a case of Edmonton shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly than Vegas demanding the game.

Game 2 was a complete cakewalk by Edmonton, which looked highly energized, motivated, and determined. Vegas seemed to fold back on the first shift of the game and never even tried to build any momentum until the third period when the game was over. And Eichel was ass.

So, what this suggests to me (which confirms my take prior to the series) is that, if both teams play at their respective highest levels, Edmonton will win. The Oilers have far greater offensive depth and seem way more engaged and motivated.

However, the Oilers DO have a tendency to shoot themselves in the foot. So, Vegas can certainly still win a best out of five if they start bringing their A-game. However, if Edmonton brings its A-game every night hereafter, the Oilers will win quickly.

 

[snipes]

Well that was a shit kicking.

Vegas struggled mightily with the Oilers speed and forecheck, it was wave after wave attack for large parts of the game.

I also loved the physicality and “take no shit” approach form the Oilers.

People forget the Oilers are the tallest team in the NHL and the 3rd heaviest. That’s even with Yamamoto. The Oilers are a big team throughout the lineup with lots of speed as well, it’s a tough matchup.

 

[Norwegianoiler]

Well no that wasn't Vegas' best but they did a lot of the right things and were putting in the work and effort to win battles. I don't think Edmonton played their best yesterday either.

Compared to the Kings, Vegas is a more rounded team and a collectively stronger one at their best as far as I see it. That's perhaps unfair to the Kings who are instructed to play a certain system that tended to limit their offensive game, but the Knights have a gear or two at their best I don't quite see in the Kings. This is purely speculative, of course. What G2 showed, as I alluded to earlier, is a weakness I hadn't seen. They just stopped doing their best. Disjointed breakouts, certain players were disinterested in battling or making the sensible plays, with the result that they couldn't collectively find a way into the game. The Kings were able to do that at several points during round one. If a team cannot rally as a whole to come back in a game, they have to rely on individual luck that might swing momentum or disrupt the confidence of their opponent, but it's far less dangerous. What the Knights can do when they're all on the same page, I bet we'll find out in games three and four.

 

[HanSolo]

Vegas is a more rounded team and a collectively stronger one at their best as far as I see it. That's perhaps unfair to the Kings who are instructed to play a certain system that tended to limit their offensive game, but the Knights have a gear or two at their best I don't quite see in the Kings. This is purely speculative, of course. What G2 showed, as I alluded to earlier, is a weakness I hadn't seen. They just stopped doing their best. Disjointed breakouts, certain players were disinterested in battling or making the sensible plays, with the result that they couldn't collectively find a way into the game. The Kings were able to do that at several points during round one. If a team cannot rally as a whole to come back in a game, they have to rely on individual luck that might swing momentum or disrupt the confidence of their opponent, but it's far less dangerous. What the Knights can do when they're all on the same page, I bet we'll find out in games three and four.

Hopefully. I'll be honest I'm disgusted that this level of piss poor effort has happened twice in one run already. I'm with you that they absolutely can be better, and I say that "on the same page" level could take them all the way to a cup win if they have the heart to fight for it.

But Winnipeg game 1 it's like already inexcusable to come out and play like it's a meaningless exhibition game but at least there it's like okay. Their opponent was the eighth seed and they just didn't come out and play with the necessary heart and effort. They weren't mentally prepared for the higher gear needed.

Edmonton game 2 there's no excuses anymore. There's no questions about the fact that they're playing the most potent offense in the league. There is no excuse for the way they completely and utterly folded mentally under the adversity of a single goal against. Even if Vegas comes back and wins the series, this won't be the last time they face adversity.

Game 1 was the same situation. They surrendered an early powerplay against but instead of crumpling like a group of emotionally stunted children, they pushed right back and tied the game almost immediately. Game 2 it was like they surrendered a goal and collectively thought the refs were going to give the game to Edmonton so they conceded defeat until the third period when it was already too late.

I know it's overdramatic to say, but I don't think Vegas is cut out to be champions with this kind of thing happening twice. If they had the mental fortitude and heart and they played their game consistently, it could happen. But psychological factors are more than likely going to sink them.

 

[Belos]

Vegas Golden Knights

79 Barbashev, 87 Eichel, 83 Marchessault
76 Howden, 83 Stephenson, 88 Stone
80 Smith, 82 Karlsson, 76 Amadio
75 Carrier, 77 Roy, 74 Kolesar

82 Martinez, 82 Pietrangelo
81 Mcnabb, 86 Theodore
79 Hague, 78 Whitecloud

76 Brossoit
84 Thompson

Edmonton Oilers

93 Draisaitl(+), 96 McDavid, 82 Kane
82 Nugent-Hopkins, 77 Bjugstad, 83 Hyman
77 Foegele, 78 McLeod, 76 Ryan,
75 Kostin, 77 Yamamoto, 77 Desharnais(D)

82 Nurse, 79 Ceci
87 Ekholm, 80 Bouchard
80 Kulak, 77 Broberg

83 Skinner
77 Campbell

Eichel will have to play like in his mvp-lvl season in BuF few years ago or this could be quick. I'm not sure Vegas has the shut down personnel to deal with the Oilers game breaking offense and size as some have said. This is where we see how wingers like Hyman and Kane are extremely valuable and dare I say as valuable as high octane but one dimensional offensive wingers like ________( insert near or ppg wingers who don't bring much of everything else and have dubious playoffs showing).

 

[Evilsports]

How was it harsher against VGk? Likely biased point but all of the penalties against Oilers were 'ticky tacky' for a playoffs game aside from maybe Kane ground and pound koleslaw.

I dunno, I don't see how they can let either of the first two slide - the first I would actually consider a "good" penalty by Vegas, as that puck ends up in the net if the crosscheck never happened and the net didn't go off its moorings. The second was a lack of spatial awareness and stick control, but has to be called as it was a high stick, and the third is automatic on failed challenges. None of those feel like "ticky tacky" calls

Fair takes. Like I said I missed the first period altogether. My opinion was based on my own subjective eye, I just remember a couple occasions I felt like we were maybe getting the benefit of the doubt a bit. I very rarely feel that way during the playoffs so I noted it.

 

[snag]

...

People forget the Oilers are the tallest team in the NHL and the 3rd heaviest. That’s even with Yamamoto. The Oilers are a big team throughout the lineup with lots of speed as well, it’s a tough matchup.

 

[Soundwave]

This scene always makes me laugh so hard.

 

[iCanada]

I can’t get over how dumb this Vegas team is.

Giving the best ever PP 6 opportunities.

If I’m Cassidy I bench every player that takes a dumb penalty.

Can he bench himself?

That GI challenge is one of the dumbest penalties I've ever seen anyone take after watching this league for decades.

 

[snag]

Can he bench himself?

That GI challenge is one of the dumbest penalties I've ever seen anyone take after watching this league for decades.

That was one for the ages. I wonder how many Oiler fans cheered at the announcement they were challenging and Knights fans went "NNNNNnnooooooo!!!!!!!!"

It was so obvious. LOL

But I guess when you are already down 4-0 16 minutes into the first as a coach you maybe go "what the f***" and throw some shit at the wall and see what sticks.

 

[Dust]

Can he bench himself?

That GI challenge is one of the dumbest penalties I've ever seen anyone take after watching this league for decades.

At that point it was 4-0 anyways, it was a hail mary. The chances of them coming back down 4-0 are pretty slim anyways, so from a "it makes no sense" perspective, I do understand it. Game was lost either way.

 

[Three On Zero]

Vegas dominated most of game 1, Edmonton dominated most of game 2. Now what does game 3 have for us?

 

[Dust]

Vegas dominated most of game 1, Edmonton dominated most of game 2. Now what does game 3 have for us?

A triple OT 1-0 victory with both goaltenders making 60+ saves.