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Vegas Golden Knights: Three Western Conference Finals Predictions

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 10: Vegas Golden Knights Defenceman Deryk Engelland (5, right) scuffles with Winnipeg Jets Center Matt Hendricks (15) during a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Winnipeg Jets on November 10, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 10: Vegas Golden Knights Defenceman Deryk Engelland (5, right) scuffles with Winnipeg Jets Center Matt Hendricks (15) during a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Winnipeg Jets on November 10, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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3) Vegas Golden Knights will defeat the Winnipeg Jets in seven games

WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 1: Vegas Golden Knights players celebrate following a 3-2 overtime victory over the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on February 1, 2018, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 1: Vegas Golden Knights players celebrate following a 3-2 overtime victory over the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on February 1, 2018, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

As soon as I found out the Jets would be facing the Golden Knights, I’ve been going back and forth on this series. But at the end of the day, I think the storybook season of the Vegas Golden Knights will continue into the Stanley Cup Finals. Of course, this series could go the other way, but I believe the bottom half of the roster will play a significant role in this series against the Jets.

The Jets have a lot more elite players than the Golden Knights do. However, if the Golden Knights continue to get production from Cody Eakin, Ryan Carpenter, Oscar Lindberg, and Alex Tuch, I really like their chances. Having Luca Sbisa back in full swing of things could also play a huge role as he’s playing with offensive defenseman Colin Miller.

As for the goalie matchup, its close. Connor Hellebuyck is a Vezina Trophy finalist and has had a fantastic season. Marc-Andre Fleury is playing like a player that has more to prove even after winning three Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh.

I’d say the goalie matchup is a wash and both goaltenders will look great in this series. Fleury will make his highlight reel saves and as will Hellebuyck. But there’s no real advantage for either one of these fantastic goaltenders.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights Mailbag: Stanley Cup Playoffs, Free Agency, Cody Glas

All in all, here’s how I see the series playing out. After a big win on home ice in game six, the Golden Knights will rally late and defeat the Jets in game seven. William Karlsson will net the game-winner with seven minutes left and send the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Finals. How do you see the series playing out?

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