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I disagree somewhat. It's hard to build chemistry with 20 players who've never played together before. Salary cap or not, that's just not supposed to happen so easily. Their ability to come together as a team has been impressive.

Tonight is the night!! Washington will escape the 2nd round.

I still don’t love Vegas having a hockey team but the work of Gallant and the coaching stuff and the team meshing so well is undeniable.

Racism is a thing and it's dumb. Unfortunately, crying wolf about instances of racism and "hate crime" is also a thing and is also dumb. http://www.fakehatecrimes.org/ I'm sympathetic to Smith and anyone who has to put up with stupid s*** like what's being described in this case. However, in the absence of hard evidence, and with the understanding that Smith is a bit of a hothead, I'm not about to go full WIIM and pen a column about how "Society's acceptance of racism has a glaring effect on hockey culture." I'll leave it at that.

Pope is a winger. Most likely never going to amount to anything, but supposedly has a "very good shot" and decent size. Not a very good skater it seems. Still, nothing to complain about. I would assume anyone complaining is thinking he's a free agent being signed for the Wings rather than just a normal draft pick signing his ELC.

Yeah because signing young gifted players during a rebuild is so dumb.

Washington wins tonight 8-0 , Ovechkin 8 goals

Should have done it last year or the year before. I don't see them beating Tampa or whoever comes out of the West if they get to the SCF. Would be bittersweet for them if they could finally beat Pittsburgh and blow it in the next round, but it's all about timing. I don't think this is Washington's year to win the Cup. As we all know, the playoffs only get tougher once you get to the final four. How many teams do you think would like to rewind the expansion draft and have a do-over? I say lots. Nobody could have foreseen the impact some of these players made, especially a guy like William Karlsson, Riley Smith, Eric Haula, etc. They chose all the right players, many of whom have never played this well in their lives. It's the greatest draft in sports history. I'm thinking their management did some kind of time travel to pick these players.

My thoughts exactly. The chemistry they have is undeniable, it's their complete game that has impressed me the most. These guys forecheck together then hustle and backcheck together, everyone on the team is always skating at 110% to be where they need to be on every single shift. Let alone Fleury whos been amazing too, though last night his post's were the unsung hero of the game.

May your dreams of another Stanley Cup lick on to next season. I mean, live on to next season.

Geez Vegas! are we now, 28th or lower with their 1st rounder? If Vegas goes on to the finals, I bet Holland deals that pick for 2 more 2nds! XO and Vegas 1st to Montreal for two of their FOUR 2nds sounds good. I'll take the #33, #35, #36, #38 then!

The only way I'd draft him is if he was head and shoulders better than anyone else on the board. Those concussions are a major red flag.

I don't have many expectations. I have zero trust in Holland, any good moves are going to be a pleasant surprise.

Answer: Coaching Staff.

That used to be called "playing hockey"

Ovie is playing with a ton of heart. I mean you can tell he really wants to beat the Pens almost as if his life depends on it. Say what you will about him, but the guy is a competitor.