Your right, he is a phenomenal 2 way player, if he ends up with an Evgeny Malkin on his second line, they will be deadly. The Golden Knights HC has an amazing philosophy, physical, fast, hockey. He was doing a good job in Florida but for some strange reason management decided they wanted to go in a different direction and the golden knights were fortunate to land him. DK, I had the privilege of meeting Bill Torrey when he was the GM for the islanders, I met him through an old boss of mine, they were good friends and my boss knowing I loved hockey and the islanders, surprised me when he told me to come into his office for some tickets, there was Mr. Torrey sitting on the sofa, I was speechless, he was so humble and down to earth and we just talked hockey. I never paid for islander tickets by the way, my old boss was a season ticket holder and I got them whenever I wanted.
Brassard to Pens. Just what they needed: another good Center. Ottawa is a weird team. They were a goal away from the Cup final, came back with a pretty similar team this year, and have been awful. Now helping the Pens again. Terrible. The Atlantic is not strong overall like the Metro, but they are top heavy. The Bolts, Bruins and Leafs all could beat the Penguins in the playoffs. The Flyers are flying high right now too and would not be an easy out for the Pens. Caps on the other hand: dog shit the last month.
Capitals and Leafs did nothing at the deadline. The Lightning, Penguins and Bruins got better. Those are the 5 teams I believe have a chance in the East. Bolts clear favorites now, followed by the Pens and Bruins. The Flyers, Devils, and Bluejackets all have legit chances though. Never know. Maybe the Caps will actually win the Cup now as they did the opposite of the last few years. No big moves. Don't look like they have the defense to compete, then shock the world! Just kidding. 1st round exit likely..............
The leafs are going to wait for Tavares, that's probably why they did nothing. As much as I hate Pens, they are still the favorites until they are eliminated, Murray has been outstanding in goal for them. Just my opinion.
Yeah, I think Tampa is better, but you are right as they are back to back Champs. I remember TB taking the Pens to 7 games without Stamkos in 2016. Tampa is better now and I think the Pens are worse, but you never know. I agree until they lose 4 games in a series, can't count out the Pens.
Don't get me wrong, I want Caps, Bolts, or Bruins to beat them, but I have to be realistic. I have always rooted for the Caps if Isles didn't get in, so this year will be no different, I want Ovie to win a cup.
It would be ironic if the Capitals won the Cup this year, because they are so much worse than the last couple seasons. Anything is possible though.
Stadium Series was great tonight in Annapolis. Caps dominated with a 5-2 win over the Leafs. Nice to see the Capitals playing well though. Kuznetsov, Ovechkin, Backstrom, Carlson, and Vrana with goals. Holtby was still a little off but settled in mid-way through. They will have a chance if they keep playing like that.
The playoffs are near. I am an Eastern Conference guy as you all know, so that is what I can focus on with knowledge. The Boston Bruins are rolling. The Lightning look great, and the young and exciting Maple Leafs look strong. The Panthers are also making a late season push for a spot. In the Metro, the Caps lead by 4 points with a nice win vs. the Stars last night. Holtby looked good and saved the game for the Caps. The Penguins and Bluejackets are behind them. The Flyers and Devils are also making playoff pushes too. I think 6 teams have a legitimate chance at winning the East: Penguins, Capitals, Lightning, Bruins, Bluejackets and Maple Leafs. The favorite has to be whichever team survives a likely 2nd Round match-up between the Lightning and Bruins. As for the West: I think the Preds repeat, but can't count out the Golden Knights, as crazy as that sounds.
Yeah, he keeps amazing me. The Caps Defense just is not good enough though. It's awful. My hope is the Caps catch fire and Holtby becomes a brick wall. That is the only way Ovechkin finally gets the Cup he deserves this year.
Maple Leafs look pretty good lately. Young players really starting to blossom. I'm hoping Boston passes Tampa, so Toronto avoids the Bruins in the first round. 13
Yeah, the Leafs do look good. Winning the Atlantic is really important. If you win, you get home ice for the playoffs, plus you likely play the Devils or possibly the Panthers. If you get 2nd, you are stuck playing a really tough Leafs team.
Playoffs are Set. Here are my predictions : East: Lightning-Devils in 5. Capitals-Blue Jackets in 7. Penguins-Flyers in 6. Bruins- Maple Leafs in 7. West: Predators-Avalanche in 5. Jets-Wild in 5. Golden Knights-Kings in 7. Ducks-Sharks in 6. Stanley Cup: Predators over Capitals in 7.
