Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl
Because the playoffs is a huge crapshoot. Literally anyone who makes it in has a serious fighting chance at winning the cup. And in a short season (as opposed to an 82 game regular season) a lot more upsets and shock results can occur.
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That's a bit handwavey. Playoffs might be a crapshoot in the sense that regular season success isn't predictive of playoff success, but there are some elements of great playoff teams that are consistent. My opinion is that great centers and defensemen influence cup chances significantly. Wingers and Goaltenders still have to be good, but not necessarily great.
However on the note of playoffs being a crapshoot, I think that influences individuals more than teams. Goal scoring in the playoffs is a crap shoot, and you're better off spreading your team's skill throughout the top 9 with capable 20-30 goal scorers than to depend on a 40-50 goal scorer to maintain that production through the playoffs.
I think with the cap, Ovechkin's held the Capitals back, despite all the rocket richard trophies. I would even argue Kane and Toews since signing their new contracts have done the same (Yes, I know Kane won the Art Ross last year... but I think the Blackhawks would rather still have Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp than an Art Ross winner)