[GranteedEV]

Not gonna pretend all is rosy in the long term outlook, but there are definitely some positives.

Giordano, Brodie, and Hamilton are finally all playing like a a coherent high-end defense core and Wideman has looked like a competent #4/#5 tweener.

Backlund has outplayed the likes of Toews, Kopitar, and Bergeron this season.

19 year old Tkachuk might be the best defensive winger in this division. Or at least right there with Silvferberg and Pavelski.

Versteeg has filled the hole left by Hudler admirably.

Bennett while playing centre, is producing at the same 5v5 production rate as Johnny Gaudreau, Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin, Michael Frolik, Ryan Kesler, Rick Nash, Mike Cammalleri, Travis Zajac, Leon Draisaitl, Taylor Hall. Interesting how much PP production and ice time can skew perception of offense.

Monahan is 53.1% on the faceoff dot this season.

Matt Stajan has top 5-10 defensive stats among centres in the NHL, albeit in a 4th line checking role.

This team has depth. I believe guys like Kulak, Wotherspoon, Morrisson, Andersson, Pribyl, Jankowski, Klimchuk, Poirier, Mangiapne, and Rittich are all ready to contribute positively should the need arise.

Any team that has 50.14% CF, 81.7% PK, 20.7% PP.. deserves to sit in a playoff spot.