Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
If the Flames lose the first five games, despite having far and away the easiest first five games of any NHL team on the schedule,
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Not sure where you're drawing that from.
The Canucks have one of the best top lines in the NHL, as well as one of the most defensively dominant top pairings in Edler-Tanev. Miller is also a proven strong goaltender who can still channel Vezina form. Whatever they might lack in depth, they have at the top. Tanev is one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL, period, and that top pair completely stifled Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler in the playoffs a couple years ago, our top line is not better than it was in 2015.
The Oilers have one of the more potent forward groups in the NHL, as well as their own high-end goaltender in Talbot and their own top defensive defenseman in Larsson. Their center depth with McDavid, Draisaitl, and Hopkins are all good players. Lucic, and Russell are both strong leaders and Klefbom is a good top pair defenseman.
Neither team, healthy, "should" have been a walk through the park. I would have liked to win two of the three regardless, but the NHL has way too much parity to ever expect to win against teams that have goaltending. At best you hope you get the coin flip on a given night.