VEGAS/CAROLINA who do you like + why?

PICK the cup winner and why you like them.

The team I follow went out in the first round (Dallas), so that leaves Vegas (Finished 4th in the conference with 95 points) vs Carolina (Finished 1st in the conference with 113 points) to battle it out for the Stanley cup.

Lets break down some PLAYOFF NUMBERS.

GAMES PLAYED TO REACH CUP FINAL.

CAROLINA 13

VEGAS    16

TOTAL GOALS ALLOWED 

CAROLINA 21 (1.62 GAA) 3 shutouts

VEGAS      38 (2.38 GAA) 0 shutouts

STARTING GOALIES

CAROLINA 1.41 GAA (Frederik Andersen)

VEGAS       2.22 GAA (Carter Hart)

TOTAL GOALS SCORED

CAROLINA  47 (3.23 goals per game)

VEGAS       58 (3.63 goals per game)

TOTAL SHOTS TAKEN

CAROLINA  438

VEGAS       432

SHOOTING PERCENTAGE

CAROLINA  9.6

VEGAS       13.4

POWER PLAY PERCENTAGE

CAROLINA 12.5%

VEGAS       23.9%

PENALTY KILL PERCENTAGE

CAROLINA 92.5%

VEGAS      87.5%

PENALTY MINUTES

CAROLINA 183

VEGAS       135

GOAL SCORING LEADERS (TOP 3)

CAROLINA 19 - STANKOVEN 9 HALL 5 BLAKE 5

VEGAS      27 - DOROFEYEV 10 HOWDEN 10 MARNER 7

POINT LEADERS (TOP 3)

CAROLINA  43  HALL 16 BLAKE 15 STANKOVEN 12

VEGAS       53  MARNER 21 EICHEL 18 DOROFEYEV 14

   After watching all series and games, I think Carolina looks like the better team on paper, but I think Vegas will be a challenge for Carolina. Vegas is a big heavy team with alot of depth down the centre position. They also like to play the type of game Carolina does by clogging up the middle of the ice and forcing shots from the outside taking away the space near the front of the net. Carolina just faced a team with speed, but smaller players down the middle.  Vegas has both, they are quick and big and this will be a challenge for the smaller forwards on Carolina to handle. Howden and Barbshev will be the difference makers in this series as these are 2 physical forwards that will cause considerable issues for the smaller Stankoven. I think the Vegas has the speed and physical size to wear this Carolina team down. VEGAS in 6 

@mr_armchair_qb

 Carolina in 7 only cause it's Stanley cup but if it wasn't prolly Carolina in 5 potential 6

5 teams won the cup with coaching changes during the season since 2000.

The 2 most well known were the Kings in 2011 who had a losing record to end the season but ended up winning the cup and the Blues who came on strong with a great record and won the cup after starting 13-16 they went on a run.

Vegas does seem similar to those teams.

Carolina in 5 or 6

Canes in 5

What impressed me about Carolina in the Montreal series is their physical play! They were hitting like I hadn't seen them! Not a fan of them, but Montreal was a bigger team. My one concern is their PP has struggled during the playoffs! Will be rooting for them!

I only want Vegas to win cause of Torts but I'm taking Canes.

They have can play tight or a fast pace game they are quicker than Vegas

as for talent wise its even. The main thing is Canes can kill penalties better than Vegas.

If Hart keeps on playing the way he does he will steal a game or 2, imo Canes fines a way to win in 5 or 6 games

as for the o/u I would play the under 1st game at 6.5-165 for an extra goal.

Good luck to whoever side you take