Below is a recent conversation TDC and Coach Trimble had in regards to the upcoming Stanley Cup Final:
Trevor: Well here we are for the first annual “Trimble and Trevor Stanley Cup Preview”. I think this will be a fun exercise in BSing and quality hockey discussion. Plus it’s not like either of us have to write a sole article, though you are quite the human writing machine….
Anyhow… I can’t say I was expecting Edmonton to be in the finals from the West. What are your thoughts about them getting to this point of 4 wins away from the glory of holding up Lord Stanley’s Cup?
Trimble: The best players find ways to win, and whether it was this year or next… McDavid is too good to not get here. His 31 points lead all playoff scorers after a 100 assist 132 point regular season. He’ll be incredible to watch at this time of the year. What’s more intriguing to me is the guy they have in nets… Skinner. Did you expect a performance like this out of him?
Trevor: I can’t say I’ve ever expected the Oilers to develop anyone outside of a top-10 pick, let alone a 3rd round goalie. That said, is he winning as a by-product of the team in front of him? There is no doubt he’s made some big saves, but his save % and GAA is not the best here in the playoffs, so I’m concerned with the fire power he’s about to face, just might be too much spread out the Florida playoffs? Do you think this will be a battle of the goalies?
Trimble: In game 6 versus Dallas he bested Oettinger, stopping 33 of 34, and where I don’t think this will be a battle of the goalies, I think it’s pretty similar to what St Louis did a couple years ago and what Vegas did last year. Skinner has provided them with consistent and dependable goaltending, which arguably was the missing ingredient.
Florida’s depth up front is spectacular and they can beat you in so many ways. Who do you think is their most important player up front?
Trevor: For this series, I really think this is going to be a battle of the C’s, and by that I mean Connor McDavid and the most recently named Selke Trophy winner, Aleksander Barkov. Right now you have the generational, sublime,offensive juggernaut McDavid, who we all know wants his cup, that will be facing off and being shadowed by the uber talented, hard working, two way center Barkov. I think he’s going to be the key to slowing down McDavid (if possible) while also being productive in his own right. Do you agree, or have other thoughts?
Trimble: I think that matchup is going to be awesome to watch, and home ice advantage, getting last change will play a huge role in the series.
Speaking of home ice advantage, the 4000 mile difference is the longest in Stanley Cup final history. The NHL is giving 2 days rest between travel days and a nice 6 day break before the finals start. Do you think this helps one team more than the other?
Trevor: I mean, I want to see the best players on both teams play each game, so while the Oilers have played a few more playoff games, I think it benefits both teams but most importantly, us, the fans, for the best series possible. That said, I think the time off will benefit the Oilers the most, because Florida is just going to be relentless on them and they play some HEAVY hockey. But that’s a lot of air miles for a potential 7 games series. No Taylor Swift miles, but a ton nonetheless.
So…. what’s your guess on the series…. Winner, Series Length and MVP?
Trimble: I’m going Panthers in 6. Barkov MVP. What’s your prediction Trevor?
Trevor: Well it seems either great minds think alike, or were just a bunch of knuckle heads. I too have the Panthers, but in 5 games and for the sake of being different, I’ll take Reinhart as the MVP.
