DeBoer has to be one of the worst coaches in the NHL.
Not only that he's a crybaby. He's always been a major D Bag. IMO Vegas is reaping what they sowed. Fleeced the league in the expansion draft (in their defense they were allowed to) and then attempted the Yankees approach to building a team. Dicked over a future HOF goalie for a flavor of the week net minder......Shafted a loved and respected HC in Gerard Gallant (how are those Rangers doing anyway
) and then to top it all off they attempted their version of salary cap manipulation with the Eichel deal. I personally LOVE seeing what they're going through because it's all self inflicted.
Matthews has to be the favourite for the Hart.
It'd be a crime if he didn't get it. Seriously. Some other folks as you mentioned are in that conversation but if Matthews doesn't come away with that then it's a travesty.
Panthers situation feels oddly similarly to Tampa 3 years ago. I just don’t think they’re legit.
I don't either. And, I'll continue the same train of thought with the AV's. Not that they're not a great regular season team but until they actually do something in the playoffs the hysteria behind the AV's being the best thing since sliced bread makes me want to vomit.
Couple thoughts from me.
Blues have the most 50pt players in the NHL at the moment.
The team is playing great defensively and are in the top of most all categories when it comes to PK, PP....goal differential etc etc. I love the fact everyone's sleeping on them. Going to be a tough first round matchup though but I think they take the series in (6) games. They're deeper than Minnesota and have had their number for a while now.
If O'Reily scores one more goal in the next two games that'll give the Blues (9) 20 Goal scorers! (Faulk has 16...not going to get there but pretty dang close to 10)
Nashville may be the 'sleeper' team that makes a deep run. They're good and I'd be more scared to play them than Colorado.
Colorado gets a cakewalk in playing Dallas. Zero chance Dallas does anything in that series...but, Colorado has earned that right by throttling everyone in the regular season.
Western conference representative in the SC comes out of the second round Colorado vs Blues/Wild. One of those three teams is going to the Cup.