(06-23-2021 10:13 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote: Isles force Game 7...
I was downstairs with kitchen tv on putting up laundry...saw OT was about to start so I took my laundry basket up stairs and turned on my tv(already had station set) and was like no way...they win on my way up the stairs....
Montreal is a team of destiny....maybe
well, crap, Vegas couldn't get over the hump again this year.
Montreal was amazing on the power play in particular and defense in general in this series, and indeed, so far in their playoff run.
Caufield is a heckuva little engine of a player. When he got the puck heading towrds the offensive zone, he truned it up to 11 and skated past the Vegas defense for his scores.
Price was an absolute wall this series. Have to respect his abilities. Not too many rebounds when there was a shot. He's a keeper, for sure.
I don;t blame Deboer for switching to Lehner this game, and Robin did a pretty good job, considering his defenders weren't quite up to the same level as Montreal's were. Fleury had another amazing season and playoffs as well. I think the two tough series that vegas had with both Minnesota and then Colorado just took too much out of them this time. Montreal was much fresher and quicker all the way around.
With Tampa having a tough series against New York to get to their side of the Finals, it will be quite a series to see if Montreal can put a capper on over the champs.
As for Vegas, they have some tough questions to ask themselves about their offensive lines scoring in the offseason. Have to believe this time Fleury will be traded to open up some cap space, but navigating their situation, along with the Kracken expansion draft ramifications, will make this a more interesting offseason than usual.
Overall, I really enjoyed following the Vegas hockey team and the players who I have gron to appreciate and become familiar with in just their four short years of existence. Things will get hot in the desrt, then quickly cool back down this fall for another run at the Cup. Will be interested to ee exactly how their changes and strategy shakes out.
Now, may the best team left win the Stanley Cup! I think I'll be rooting for Montreal since I'm a bit more familiar with them after this tough series, and they are a fun, talented team to watch play the game.