You’ve got to love the gamesmanship that comes with important matchups between two playoffs teams fighting for their postseason lives. It’s not just what gets done on the ice that matters, but it’s what some players say off the ice that registers. Case in point, Brendan Gallagher’s recent comments about the pressure the Vegas Golden Knights are feeling in this series against his Montreal Canadiens has to be his attempt to rattle his opponent. And, we love it.
Gallagher noted ahead of Tuesday’s Game 5 matchup that the Golden Knights must have the weight of the world on their shoulders. He said, “I think there are certain expectations on their side; the longer this series goes, the more the pressure just falls to them.”
What Gallagher is likely alluding to is the fact that people pegged the Golden Knights to possibly sweep this series. Many insiders have admitted that the Canadiens were built to be a playoff team, but in saying that, many insiders also didn’t think the Canadiens would get past the Toronto Maple Leafs. Those same insiders certainly didn’t think the Habs would stand a chance against a Golden Knights club that beat out the Presidents Trophy Colorado Avalanche.
That the best-of-seven series is now tied at two games each, this is a lot farther than most thought the Canadiens would get. And, people are starting to believe there’s a shot the Habs pull of an upset here. That would be a huge kick in the gut for a Golden Knight’s team who tends to make a ton of changes every offseason anyway. If they lose to the Canadiens, who knows what they’ll do this summer.
Gallagher Is Right
The best part about Gallagher’s mind games is that they’re likely based in reality. He’s right when he says the pressure is on the Golden Knights. Yes, GM Marc Bergevin went all in on his roster this past offseason, but most figured he’d run into troubles when it came to the high-caliber teams that have proven to be contenders in the past. Vegas has been in the Stanley Cup conversation since they joined the NHL. Should Montreal lose, it will be disappointing, but they’ll walk away feeling good about their future.
The Golden Knights need this win on Tuesday. Should they not get it and go down 3-2 in the series, more than Gallagher will be pointing out the pressure that may be the team’s undoing.
Next: Maple Leafs Have a Plan for Trying to Replace Zach Hyman
Pingback: If Ovechkin Wants to Break Gretzky's Record, Should He Leave Capitals?
Pingback: If Ovechkin Wants to Break Gretzky’s Record, Should He Leave Capitals? – Hockey 1 on 1
Pingback: Montreal Canadiens Clinch Spot in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final