VGK's Max Pacioretty says this would be hardest Stanley Cup to win'

Former Montreal Canadiens captain and beloved Vegas Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty discussed his standpoint on the current pause to the 19-20 NHL season, due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, with the VGK website.

Pacioretty, who currently leads the Vegas Golden Knights with 66 points, said he believes this will be the hardest Stanley Cup to win.

"I think this will be the hardest Stanley Cup to win out of all of them.

Look at all the obstacles. Who knows when we're going to play, where, fans or no fans, everything is up in the air.”

He continued;

"With that being said, whatever teams that have been banged up are healing up right now. They're getting their bodies ready, and you better believe everyone around the league is trying to get every advantage possible in terms of recovery and getting in whatever shape they can.

Most teams go into the [Stanley Cup Playoffs] beat up, but that won't be the case this year. Guys are going to be healthy and teams are going to be able to show their true forms with pretty much every player on the roster.

Even in light of the pause, the 31-year-old believes this may be one of the most special Stanley Cup Playoffs ever;

"For me, I look at it as this will be one of the most special playoffs since I can remember. Teams aren't going to have any excuses. It's going to be your full team ready to rock and ready to go."

Prior to the season's suspension on March 12th, Vegas lead the Pacific Division with a record of 39-24-8, and had won 11 of their last 13.

Though Vegas had their ups and downs in the first half of the season, the team went 15-5-2 following the termination of head coach Gerard Gallant, who was replaced by former Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer. Clearly the VGK seemed to be on their way to a playoff run prior to the suspension.

Pacioretty also spoke on his team, and what needs to be done when the season resumes to keep those playoff hopes alive;

"We were playing some very, very good hockey up until the pause. That's with injuries, key guys out, a coaching change and learning new systems. We were playing some very strong hockey, probably by far our best since I've been here.

That being said, it's up to us as players to come back after this break and pick up where we left off. It's going to take a lot of hard work to do so. Teams are going to have a little bit more time to study the way we've been playing. Coaches are probably going to look at tape of other teams right now and try to pick up habits. It's really important we pick up where we left off and start up even stronger again.

We really like the team that we have. We feel they've done a great job of addressing every need to give us the resources and players to go compete for the ultimate prize. Now it's up to us to do it."

The Vegas forward would also address his desire to do whatever it takes to return to play;

"I mean, if we had to wait six months and play in Antarctica, I'd be willing to do that.

We have a special group. We want to do whatever we can to finish out this year because we feel we have a group that's capable of doing special things and it's up to us as a group to try and achieve that when we do get started."

At this time, there is no timeline for a return to the 19-20 season, though Commissioner Bettman has made clear his desire to finish out the season by whatever means necessary.

MUST READ

48 minutes ago  |  By Danny Potvin Canucks made a disastrous move that changed the team forever

1 hour ago  |  By Danny Potvin A major Stanley Cup-winning name could soon arrive behind the Oilers' bench

1 hour ago  |  By Danny Potvin Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon erupts after Game 1 loss to Vegas

2 hours ago  |  By Danny Potvin Elliotte Friedman: a clear frontrunner has emerged in the Canucks' coaching search

2 hours ago  |  By Danny Potvin Mike Babcock may have just changed everything for the Oilers

3 hours ago  |  By Danny Potvin Playoff chaos as a 9-goal scorer appears to suffer a scary injury

3 hours ago  |  By Danny Potvin Canucks plotting huge Sharks trade that could change everything

4 hours ago  |  By Danny Potvin The most jawdropping goal of the series just happened

MORE STORIES