Thorny

The perception will be out there regardless that Adams and the Sabres were wrong about Eichel’s injury treatment, but other than that, I agree

plus minus standing of vegas’ 4 lines Eichel Marchessault Barbashev +41 Stephenson Stone Howden +7 Karlsson Amadio Smith +22 Roy Carrier Kolesar +3 and this that on ice goal differential 👀👀👀

He’s their number 1C, leading the playoffs in both playmaking and 200ft game, and the probable winner of the Smythe is going to do so because Jack is his Centre handling all Marchy’s defensive responsibilities while setting him up for 9 of his 13 goals. They definitely aren’t here without Jack We wouldn’t look at any other cup team and debate them winning without their 1C Marchy and Jack are 1-2 on the all time scoring list for Vegas players in a playoff run, separated by a point. Messing with this connection is literally the last element of the team you’d touch

I dunno...that may have honestly been the way to go...thinking back. It’s been a long journey

The fact there are about 4 maybe 5 guys (Marchessault, Eichel, Hill, Karlsson, Stone) on Vegas who could realistically win/deserve the Smythe says it all, and is really the whole point: those are the teams that win Cups. There isn’t one player carrying the mail and if that’s your targeted set-up, you’re doomed. They’ve had several guys step up this playoffs they couldn’t have done it without, playing crucial roles along the way. They’ve been hella impressive and as of now, deserve the Cup win

Would love to add Laughton

Ie we should probably be bringing in someone quite capable, keeping the status quo isn’t really a viable option

Chad covers it really well here

Vegas has just been better.

If Levi is the better goalie than Comrie id much rather him get the secondary starts, if possible. I feel like 30 NHL games would be better for development than 50 in the AHL anyways, he could learn from Saros, learn the NHL environment and his teammates, and it’s not like he’s used to a huge workload right now, anyways, in terms of games played per season. Saros played a whopping 64 and 67 games the last two seasons, but his numbers were just fine when he played 36 and 40 the two seasons before that; in fact his high watermark sv% was the 36 game, .927. Don’t see a problem with cutting it back to 45-50 games from him, personally

I agree with a lot of this, but I think another thing at play here that I’ve personally come to realize lately, that lends an alternate explanation is: many people just really, really like Levi. He’s not really an “if”, it’s when he becomes better than Connor Hellebuyck, and the reasons being used to explain why we don’t want him make sense within that context, and don’t necessarily point to fear of expectations. Hell, the expectations being ladled onto young Levi are downright brazen

I

On the HNIC panel 2/3 said it was prob the right call, but what do I know. Forsling does drag his foot and he catches him on the toe. It’s a dicey call but Ron MacLean went with the right call cause it prevented a 2 on 1 Was more referring to you wishing critical injury on someone though Anyway thread is some nasty business I’m checking out

Anyways, I’ll go with Finkle and Einhorn for my OT picks

You should prob sit this one out - - - Should be an exciting OT. Huge swing goal on the way. Either it’s a brand new series or the series is basically over.

Was about 2 minutes from the series being basically over

HUGE goal

Eichel CRUSHES White Eichel “vs” Reinhart lol

To me the two are part and parcel. Marchy is doing what he’s doing *with Jack*. They are elevating eachother

23 points, tieing a franchise record, dominant, dominant 200 ft game in playoffs, T-2nd in scoring overall and leads in assists. “That’s just what he’s supposed to do”. Come. ON. If being a dominant player on the biggest stage hockey can offer in the hardest tournament to win is merely what the dude is *supposed* to do, it’s “expected”, then there’s 2 years worth of disingenuous waste of time debate bursting this place at the seams Even *I* was wrong: Jack has been more impressive in this playoffs than I ever could have imagined

Ya goals is the tie breaker for the Art Ross

I know lol

That pass from Jack to set up Marchy was absolutely incredible. Honestly, I’d have them split the Smythe. There’s really no picking between them. Jack sets him up for every goal and he snipes. Unstoppable