Adam Kirshenblatt: Villains of the Hockey World: Bring on the Golden Knights

Win or lose vs Vegas, Ducks and Sharks will kick the crap out of each other. I’m ok with this.

win or lose. You guys got daniel brickley. I'm not ok with this.

I think all the pressure is on the Kings. The Vegas team of 2018 is no different than the Oilers team of last year. There are zero expectations on Vegas. Nobody, and I mean nobody, expected them to be this successful. They're playing with house money right now. Nobody expects them to beat the Kings with the pedigree the Kings have. No different than Edmonton last year when they made the playoffs. Now, next year there will be a ton of expectations heaped on Vegas, and they may falter, but for the playoffs now, they're just gonna play and have fun.

I think the Kings are too good to lose to Vegas (unless their injured players can't come back possibly) in a 7 game series, but it's a mistake to claim the pressure is on them.

win or lose. You guys got daniel brickley. I'm not ok with this.
- DeflatedPucks

😍😍😍😍

I think all the pressure is on the Kings. The Vegas team of 2018 is no different than the Oilers team of last year. There is zero expectations on Vegas. Nobody, and I mean nobody, expected them to be this successful. They're playing with house money right now. Nobody expects them to beat the Kings with the pedigree the Kings have. No different than Edmonton last year when they made the playoffs. Now, next year there will be a ton of expectations heaped on Vegas, and they may falter, but for the playoffs now, they're just gonna play and have fun.

I think the Kings are too good to lose to Vegas (unless their injured players can't come back possibly) in a 7 game series, but it's a mistake the claim to pressure is on them.
- quackup

I think they’ll lose in 6 especially with players being hurt, if players come back. I say kings win in 6 or 7

This season was a win in my books regardless.

I think all the pressure is on the Kings. The Vegas team of 2018 is no different than the Oilers team of last year. There is zero expectations on Vegas. Nobody, and I mean nobody, expected them to be this successful. They're playing with house money right now. Nobody expects them to beat the Kings with the pedigree the Kings have. No different than Edmonton last year when they made the playoffs. Now, next year there will be a ton of expectations heaped on Vegas, and they may falter, but for the playoffs now, they're just gonna play and have fun.

I think the Kings are too good to lose to Vegas (unless their injured players can't come back possibly) in a 7 game series, but it's a mistake the claim to pressure is on them.
- quackup

I’d agree with this assessment, being the boys who’ve been there.
We need to get our injured back to compete in a seven game series.
On the flip side the Ducks have no excuses either with the depth they have. A healthy Gibson and look out for a long run!

I’d agree with this assessment, being the boys who’ve been there.
We need to get our injured back to compete in a seven game series.
On the flip side the Ducks have no excuses either with the depth they have. A healthy Gibson and look out for a long run!
- arh777

San Jose is no walk in the park, and they'll be motivated after being bounced in the first round last year. Throw in the HUGE playoff upset they suffered the last time they played the Ducks postseason and it's gonna be a war I'm afraid. We may not survive. This is where we may miss Fowler big time.

LVGK IN 4

LVGK IN 4
- rubberduckies

JK 6 OR 7

I think all the pressure is on the Kings. The Vegas team of 2018 is no different than the Oilers team of last year. There are zero expectations on Vegas. Nobody, and I mean nobody, expected them to be this successful. They're playing with house money right now. Nobody expects them to beat the Kings with the pedigree the Kings have. No different than Edmonton last year when they made the playoffs. Now, next year there will be a ton of expectations heaped on Vegas, and they may falter, but for the playoffs now, they're just gonna play and have fun.
- quackup

I understand this perspective, but have to disagree with it. If Vegas had fought to get into the playoffs (like Colorado), I would've agreed with it. I think that it makes a big difference, though, that they defied expectations nearly 6 months ago, led their division pretty much all season and have been a lock for the playoffs for months. Everyone is used to them being good by now, so they have higher expectations.

You brought up Edmonton and I agree that there's some similarity, except that I'd argue that Vegas is, right now, sort of where Edmonton was at the start of this season. The Oilers impressively made the playoffs and advanced to the 2nd round, so people had higher expectations for them in October, 5 months later. The Knights were impressive at the start of this season and, now, people have higher expectations for them than 5 months ago.

This isn't to say that the pressure is all on Vegas. I agree that there's still an element of just having fun and not worrying too much because the season has already been a terrific success, but I think that that terrific success does create a feeling that a 1st round loss would be a bit disappointing (unlike, say, if Colorado loses). There's also some pressure on LA to live up to their pedigree and not lose to an expansion team, but that's also tempered by being a team that almost didn't even make the playoffs. Overall, I think that both teams have reasons to feel pressure and reasons to not feel it. I wouldn't say that one has much more than the other.

All pressure is on the Kings. No on expects Vegas to win. That hasn't changed there a bunch of nobodys and cast offs. Playing with house money.

All pressure is on the Kings. No on expects Vegas to win. That hasn't changed there a bunch of nobodys and cast offs. Playing with house money.
- morrison1980

Hardly anyone expected the kings to make the playoffs.
All the pressure is not on LA I’d say it’s about equal.

Iafallo is probably in. Muzzin a maybe and Forbort a no!

https://lakingsinsider.co...t-sure-muzzin-no-forbort/

Iafallo is probably in. Muzzin a maybe and Forbort a no!
- arh777

Need muzzin and Iafallo.

Could really use Iafallo speed

I need Muzzin in the line-up like I need a root canal. Vegas' speed would abuse him so much. I hope that he stays out.

Iafallo would be nice to have back for depth, but he's not a big loss. He had only 1 point in his last 10 games.

I need Muzzin in the line-up like I need a root canal. Vegas' speed would abuse him so much. I hope that he stays out.

Iafallo would be nice to have back for depth, but he's not a big loss. He had only 1 point in his last 10 games.
- Osprey

This is where you miss the boat my friend! Muzzin played great in those back to backs against Vegas!

Iafallo and his first man in and relentless checking is very valuable for that line!

I think you need to take your half glass empty philosophy and filler up! :

This is where you miss the boat my friend! Muzzin played great in those back to backs against Vegas!
- arh777

Actually, he didn't. He was a -1 in both games, had no points and took a tripping penalty. It didn't go much better in the first two games against them, either.

Actually, he didn't. He was a -1 in both games, had no points and took a tripping penalty. It didn't go much better in the first two games against them, either.
- Osprey

And that says everything about his play in those games correct? watch the game again. His stick work was great among other things. More to a game then just your two stats. If he’s injured still keep him out because a 80% Muzzin is a deficit for the team.

And that says everything about his play in those games correct? watch the game again. His stick work was great among other things. More to a game then just your two stats. If he’s injured still keep him out because a 80% Muzzin is a deficit for the team.
- arh777

you can tell the games aren't watched with the eyes but through the box score. Pointing out Iafollo's 1 point is an insult to the game he brings. So many times in a game he makes the little play that adds seconds to possessions. He goes into a board battle, usually against bigger opposition and slickly comes out with the puck. Pointing out his one point is exactly like all the idiots that used to point to Brown's points in the previous several years as a way to justify turning a blind eye to all of his terrible passes and shot selections (which he still does but at least this season he's finally gotten it through his helmet to park his ass in front of the net and take the abuse for millions per year!). There is more to the game than personal points... if they gave 3rd and 4th assists, I bet Iafollo would have a lot more than the 1 point.

you can tell the games aren't watched with the eyes but through the box score. Pointing out Iafollo's 1 point is an insult to the game he brings. So many times in a game he makes the little play that adds seconds to possessions. He goes into a board battle, usually against bigger opposition and slickly comes out with the puck. Pointing out his one point is exactly like all the idiots that used to point to Brown's points in the previous several years as a way to justify turning a blind eye to all of his terrible passes and shot selections (which he still does but at least this season he's finally gotten it through his helmet to park his ass in front of the net and take the abuse for millions per year!). There is more to the game than personal points... if they gave 3rd and 4th assists, I bet Iafollo would have a lot more than the 1 point.
- Stu17

Of course Iafallo would have more points if they gave 3rd and 4th assists. Every player on the team would... and Iafallo's scoring relative to the others would likely be unchanged. Fans have been echoing this line about 3rd assists all season, because the telecast loves to say it, even though it makes no sense and is purely a platitude.

You chide me for seemingly not watching the games, but I think that many of you don't realize that your high opinion of Iafallo comes not from your watching of the games, but from your listening to the home commentary pumping his tires. Jim Fox, the champion of the underdog, particularly, loves to go out of his way as often as possible to highlight Iafallo's contributions, no matter how small or unexceptional. I recommend doing what I do and watching the opponents' telecasts, instead. You still get to watch the games and judge the performance of the players, but without being influenced by a biased perspective.

Of course Iafallo would have more points if they gave 3rd and 4th assists. Every player on the team would... and Iafallo's scoring relative to the others would likely be unchanged. Fans have been echoing this line about 3rd assists all season, because the telecast loves to say it, even though it makes no sense is purely a platitude.

You chide me for seemingly not watching the games, but I think that many of you don't realize that your high opinion of Iafallo comes not from your watching of the games, but from your listening to the home commentary pumping his tires. Jim Fox, particularly, loves to go out of his way to highlight Iafallo's contributions, no matter how small or unexceptional. You should try doing what I do and watch the opponents' telecasts, instead. You still get to watch the games, but without being influenced by a biased perspective.
- Osprey

Geez dude! I’ve been watching hockey since the late 80s. I can see the contributions Iafallo makes along with Muzzin and Forbort for that matter. Are they Paul Coffey? No! But to say they don’t contribute much is just plain absent in the moment.

Of course Iafallo would have more points if they gave 3rd and 4th assists. Every player on the team would... and Iafallo's scoring relative to the others would likely be unchanged. Fans have been echoing this line about 3rd assists all season, because the telecast loves to say it, even though it makes no sense is purely a platitude.

You chide me for seemingly not watching the games, but I think that many of you don't realize that your high opinion of Iafallo comes not from your watching of the games, but from your listening to the home commentary pumping his tires. Jim Fox, the champion of the underdog, particularly, loves to go out of his way as often as possible to highlight Iafallo's contributions, no matter how small or unexceptional. I recommend doing what I do and watching the opponents' telecasts, instead. You still get to watch the games and judge the performance of the players, but without being influenced by a biased perspective.
- Osprey

I can watch the game muted and appreciate his contributions, it's not about the broadcasters...

Actually, he didn't. He was a -1 in both games, had no points and took a tripping penalty. It didn't go much better in the first two games against them, either.
- Osprey

not debating how effective Muzzin was, but i'd still prefer to have him available in a 7 game series than say...Fantenberg.