MACLEAN BULLISH ON GOLDEN KNIGHTS
By: Braedyn Wozniak, RP Show Intern
After another great episode in the Battle of Alberta, fans in the Wild Rose Province are dreaming of Lord Stanley returning to Canada in the hands of their club.
But Hockey Night in Canada Icon Ron Maclean says the NHL’s Pacific Division might run through a team South of the border.
“I’ve got a feeling about Vegas suddenly,” said Maclean on Monday’s Rod Pedersen Show. “They’ve got 17 Canadians on the Knights team. I think they’re just well-positioned for the kind of hockey you need to play in the post-season, and they’ll be a real threat.”
Vegas is looking to rebound after missing for the first time in franchise history last season. Injuries riddled the Stanley Cup hopefuls, but Maclean believes it might’ve given them an edge.
“Why I fear Vegas, if I’m Calgary or Edmonton, is they’ve had that same kind of humiliation or come-uppance over the last couple of years when expectations were sky high and they didn’t meet them,” said Maclean.
“I feel like they’ve lost enough that they will (have) blood in their mouths when they bite their tongue. So, look out for that wounded animal.”
The Golden Knights sit atop the Pacific Division with a 3-0 record, followed by the 2-0 Calgary Flames. One of these teams will see their undefeated record fall when they clash in Calgary Oct. 18.
Vegas has outscored their opponents 10-5 in their first three games, including two wins and a shut-out from rookie goalie Logan Thompson.
“It’s an amazing story of Logan Thompson, the netminder with Calgary roots. If he can play well in net, then they’re a team.”
His belief in Vegas is not taking away from the Flames and Oilers, the teams Maclean grew up watching as a child in Red Deer.
“There’s kind of a perception that Calgary isn’t that fast, but either way they move the puck,” he said. “The Mangiapane line is brilliantly quick and that Huberdeau passing is exceptional.”
“There’s every reason to think that the cup could go to either Alberta team, but I just got a feeling about Vegas and their experience and what I saw the first couple of games.”
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio. Call your cable provider to subscribe. You can also watch on YouTube Live or listen 24/7 at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive)
