Sheng Peng: Knights Run Coyotes Out of Building 3-2; Why VGK's Transition Game Popped Vegas plays their model game in 3-2 OT win over Arizona + Why Miller, Tuch & the Marchessault-Karlsson-Smith line excelled

Has Gallant been the key so far for Vegas?

Panthers had a great year a couple ago (until the Zebs intervened - am I rite Dan, am I right??? ), then they've collapsed since he got that cab?

Is he leading the way for the franchise?

Has Gallant been the key so far for Vegas?
- Aussiepenguin

I'm not sure if he's the key, but he's certainly a key. When they're on, they play his brand of hockey to a man, and they've been on a lot more than expected. But they also have better players, especially up front, than pundits gave them credit for + they've received much better goaltending than expected sans Fleury.

I'm not sure if he's the key, but he's certainly a key. When they're on, they play his brand of hockey to a man, and they've been on a lot more than expected. But they also have better players, especially up front, than pundits gave them credit for + they've received much better goaltending than expected sans Fleury.
- Sheng.Peng

Have better players, or players playing better? Most are off casts from previous teams? If a coach can get the best of of his players, then that is great coaching. I never heard anyone say how great the team looked before the season started - in fact there was a bit of the opposite.

Goaltending is an unbelievable story to date!

Have better players, or players playing better?

I never heard anyone say how great the team looked before the season started - in fact there was a bit of the opposite.
- Aussiepenguin

Better players. Castoffs or not, this many accomplished group of forwards roughly in their prime a la Neal, Marchessault, Perron, and Smith are not an expansion norm. Younger upside guys like Karlsson and Haula are not an expansion norm. Ready-to-play top prospects like Tuch and Theodore are not an expansion norm. Not needing to play your 18-year-old first-round draft picks because you have enough depth up front is not the norm.

While I certainly didn't predict this, I maintained they had a competitive group of forwards and goalies (when it looked like Fleury + Pickard) from the beginning. Up front, guys have at least all performed up to par, if not better in some cases. This combined with above-average goaltending (when it's not Lagace) have led to surprising results.

Better players. Castoffs or not, this many accomplished group of forwards roughly in their prime a la Neal, Marchessault, Perron, and Smith are not an expansion norm. Younger upside guys like Karlsson and Haula are not an expansion norm. Ready-to-play top prospects like Tuch and Theodore are not an expansion norm. Not needing to play your 18-year-old first-round draft picks because you have enough depth up front is not the norm.

While I certainly didn't predict this, I maintained they had a competitive group of forwards and goalies (when it looked like Fleury + Pickard) from the beginning. Up front, guys have at least all performed up to par, if not better. This combined with above-average goaltending (when it's not Lagace) have led to surprising results.
- Sheng.Peng

I wonder what a Marchessault trade would consist of to the Pens? Karlsson?

I wonder what a Marchessault trade would consist of to the Pens? Karlsson?
- Aussiepenguin

Personally, I think Marchessault is worth a 1st to a contender, even just as a rental. He can be a bit of a game-changer.

Karlsson is tougher to gauge, because he's producing well over his ceiling, and everybody knows it. His value might stabilize by the end of this season as a young, cost-controlled two-way 2C, that's plenty valuable.