Battle of the strip club Meccas

Cripes this is not the semi final I pictured when the playoff format was released. I gave the Habs zero chance of getting this far. Montreal is a much better team than I expected, and I think they are going to be a handful for Vegas. On the other side, the Golden Knights are a pack of losers and I hope they get swept. Let’s see how these two match up.

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Forwards

Hulk lookalike Marc Bergevin must be happier than a pig in shit these days. Two weeks ago it looked like the Maple Leafs were going to dispatch the Habs in 5, and chances were good the Montreal GM would have been given his walking paper. Here he is now with his team in the final four and it sounds as if an extension will be on the table once the season ends. His free agent signings are making him look like a genius right now.

Tyler Toffoli, Eric Staal, and Corey Perry are proving foot speed is not required to contribute in the playoffs. These are the type of players you need at this time of year. Guys who have been there before to show the younger players what it takes to win. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield look as though they are soaking up everything they can from these guys. These two alongside Toffoli have given the Canadien’s a legit first line that can score. This is a gritty group up front that is going to show the Vegas defence a different style of attack than what they saw against Colorado or Minnesota.

The Vegas forward group can kick rocks. You all know how I feel about Max ‘soft as baby shit’ Pacioretty. Hopefully he has the pleasure of watching his former team move onto the Stanley Cup Finals. And what is the blue collar superstar Mark Stone’s deal. Why does he need to try so hard at all times? He is like that guy in rec who is constantly backchecking. Give it a rest already. I’d be happy to send Shea Weber a portion of my next ei payment to smack that smile off the face of Jonathan Marchessault as well.

Advantage Montreal.

Defence

If there is anything I have been right about so far this post season, it’s how good the Montreal backend is. Unfortunately for the Habs, it looks as though Jeff Petry will miss at least game 1. This is a significant loss, as he eats up big minutes and is a major contributor at both ends of the ice. I am very interested to see how the Canadiens combat the aggressive forecheck and overall physicality of the Vegas forwards. Though not fleet of foot, the Habs defenders are significantly more physical than the Colorado defence was. They should be able to slow down the Golden Knights group. I think this will be the key battle of the series.

At this point does anyone really care about the Vegas defence? Yeah they’re a half decent bunch, but they are gonna get ran through the boards. Montreal has 3 lines that will physically beat them down, and the Suzuki line will simply put them in a blender down low.

Advantage Montreal.

Goaltending

Huge mismatch here.

Carey Price is simply the best goalie of his generation. He has won everything, but a Stanley Cup. This could be the year he finally adds his name to that trophy. He has been playing like a man possessed in the playoffs. The bright lights and rowdy crowd in Vegas won’t phase him one bit. He was born for moments like this.

Marc-Andre Fleury on the other hand is a has been. Sure he has 3 cup rings and has been to 4 finals, but 2 of those titles were won from the bench. I think the Golden Knight’s best shot of advancing is by parking him on the pine.

Price all day.

Prediction

Nothing about this series tells me Montreal is going to win. Vegas will likely overwhelm them in game 1. Between the rocking building and the long layoff, everything says Vegas will roll. That’s why I am going Montreal in 6.