The Daily: Can the Golden Knights Close it Out Tonight?

With a win tonight at home the Vegas Golden Knights can win its first Stanley Cup in team history. Not bad for a team that played its first franchise game just five years ago, and stunned everyone with a Stanley Cup Final appearance in that inaugural season.

On the Vegas side, Vegas Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski writes that the team is as ready for Game 5 as one can expect a team to be, especially one that can clinch. On the other side, Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards writes that the pressure has certainly shifted to the Vegas side to close things out.

But the Panthers will have their hands full whether or not Matthew Tkachuk plays. Moreso, if he doesn’t.

The real question, should they finish it off, is who wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as the league’s MVP for the Golden Knights? If it were up to some fans, Adin Hill would get the nod as he’s been stellar since taking over in the net.  But should the Golden Knights hoist the Cup tonight, Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel have to expected to be at the top of the list.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• • The latest in the rebuild report looks at the 2020 NHL Draft, which has turned out to be one of Chicago’s most promising going back to 2015
  • No, the Chicago Blackhawks are not going to trade the first overall pick. Anything suggesting it is utterly ridiculous
  • Is the next Pavel Datsyuk in the Blackhawks prospect pool? On why Ilya Safonov  might be one of the diamonds in the rough for Chicago
  • Connor Bedard goes beast mode at the NHL Combine

Hockey Now Network

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Calgary: New Calgary Flames coach Ryan Huska will make subtle changes

Colorado: Who are the Colorado Avalanche top five prospects in the system?

Detroit: Three NHL Draft scenarios that include the Detroit Red Wings

Montreal: What are the options at the fifth overall pick for the Montreal Canadiens?

Philadelphia: Should the Philadelphia Flyers take the risk and draft Matvei Michkov if he is indeed there at seventh overall?

Pittsburgh: How have the Pittsburgh Penguins draft day trades turned out historically?

San Jose: Could Caden Price be the answer for the San Jose Sharks in the draft?