I feel so deflated.
It seems like every single team other than the eventual winners can point to shortcomings and long brewing frustrations, and ask for major changes. No team just goes off into the sunset after elimination saying "we are so close, just need a better #3D".
Take the Oilers for instance, McDavid scores 18 points in 10 games, so he isn't even on the same planet as our top guys, but then he goes goalless against a 3rd string goalie, is on the ice for the winning Canucks goal in a crucial game etc. He has not managed to make it too far in the playoffs. The team is considered soft, goaltending and D issues. Same complaints every year.
You take the Canes, they are considered void of game breakers but otherwise solid with some goaltending issues. Have not broken through.
And then you get "juggernauts" in Florida and now VANCOUVER?
I mean wasn't it just yesterday that we were making fun of Jimmmy B for mishandling so many things? Horvat et al. Is this the same team that signed Leafs cast off Mikheyev? Is this the same team that lost a top goalie and are still pushing through?
And Florida. Do you mean to tell me, the GM and his staff sat down and drew up a make up of this team as the ideal team they wanted? Seems to me that they made moves but instead of moves making them good, they suddenly just clicked and made them a juggernaut.
Marner for Petey.In fairness, Florida put themselves over the top trading away their playoff flop star (and another #Core4) for Matthew Tkachuk.
In fairness, Florida put themselves over the top trading away their playoff flop star (and another #Core4) for Matthew Tkachuk.
Dmen Caphit
FLA ($21.6): Ekblad $7.5, Montour $3.5, Forsling $2.666667, Mikkola $2.5, OEL $2.25, Yandle $1.241667, Kulikov $1.0, Mahura $0.925
TOR ($22.7): Rielly $7.5, Brodie $5.0, Klingberg $4.15, McCabe $2.0, Liljegren $1.4, Timmins $1.1, Giordano $0.8, Benoit $0.775
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#6 & #7, eh.
small but mighty importantsmall sample size