NHL Stanley Cup Final Preview
As we turn the page of the calendar to June, we look outside and see the shining sun and birds chirping. Hockey games seem early now because its still light out before the games end (for some of us) and maybe we are feeling the fatigue of the hockey season. I know this year’s matchup doesn’t have the rivalry dynamic that last year’s did, but I do think there’s a lot of intrigue in this matchup.
Carolina Hurricanes (1st Metropolitan Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (1st Pacific Division)
Carolina’s path to the Final has been pretty straightforward for them. I won’t say easy because nothing is easy about winning 12 in 13 games. The Hurricanes have finally broke through the ECF and did so in pretty convincing fashion. They won nearly every period and only because of their rust in game 1 period 1, they ended up on the bad end of a game. Offensively this team has just continued to chug along. Their 2nd line has been nothing short of amazing with Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall leading the charge. The good news was that we might have seen the 1st line wake up a bit and frankly it was a long time coming. Down the lineup, Nik Ehlers had a huge game that really kept Montreal at bay and made his much-needed stamp on the series and this team. The defensive unit continues to shine. This team just relies on constant pressure, and it continues to fluster teams in their own defensive zones. And when they do allow access to the neutral zone they load up on their blue lines and gum up any clean zone entries. Jaccob Slavin has been fantastic in his shut down role. They just seem to control all aspects of a typical 5 on 5 game. Do they score enough? They have for now because they defend better than anyone. Between the pipes, Andersen has been great when he’s been needed. The incredible shot suppression has kept Andersen workload at bay and manageable. His positionally sound game has been top notch and he doesn’t give up softies too often. As long as his team keeps the high quality chances low, the Canes will always have a chance with Andersen in the net. This team is built to do it and win their 2nd cup in 20 long years.
Vegas has had their way with their opponents at times in this playoffs. I kept the same opening sentence as my prior round preview. They had their way with the “President’s Trophy” and “Best Team We Have Seen in Awhile” Colorado Avalanche. I hear people saying that “ohh, Makar was hurt so that’s huge”. Sure that is a very notable and material aspect about the Avalanche losing the series…but to be swept? Where was the depth? Anyhow, this is about the Vegas Knights, not the failure of the Avalanche. Offensively, we are seeing what a true playoff Mitch Marner looks like. Maybe we should have thought about Mitch Marner getting the support and not Auston Matthews over in Toronto. Marner shredded the Ducks and continued to make a huge impact against the Avs. But the biggest shine was Jack Eichel (this is why I love him) and his incredible shut down ability. Eichel and company kept MacKinnon at bay who scored an incredible 0 points 5 on 5. The Knights pedigree, and the fact that their kryptonite was eliminated in round 1, has led this team to this moment. They are a great team. Their depth is incredible as they are able to keep their big three on separate lines. The luxury of having Mark Stone on the 3rd line is something any team would dream of having. The team has been finding scoring all over the place and they don’t seem to care when they are trailing. Defensively, this team shut down the best 5 on 5 attacking team by a large margin. They also have the luxury of having Eichel and Marner on the PK. The defense corps is not incredible, but they are really controlling play and the defensive prowess by their forwards makes up for a lot of the deficiencies. In the net, Carter Hart, and his athletic playing style has been on full display. He will let in a softy, but he has shut the door on some of the best attacks and it’s keeping his team in games. He’s been lights out since the Ducks series and seems to be getting better.
We sit here in such an interesting matchup, with 0 history but so much incredible hockey. I like that Carolina has shown signs of scoring ability but am concerned about their ability to maintain that against a bit feistier and stingier Vegas team. They ran over the Habs on the shot clock, but they sometimes remain too perimeter. Vegas on the other hand, doesn’t care about who they play right now. They are a buzz saw and are incredibly hard to play against. You can’t break out cleanly on them. They are nasty and it works for them. For me, I am giving my prediction to the team that can adjust easier, or at least has shown they can. Carolina relies on a rigid system and when that system breaks or is exploited, they tend to struggle to respond. Vegas has improved their play since Torts landed behind the bench and they seem to be too tough to beat right now. I hope I am wrong but my mind suggests Carolina won’t have enough at the most important moments.
Vegas in 7.