Must win is never a great term, but so much of a season can be established by getting on the right side of things in the first six weeks of the season.
Tough start in Vancouver, but then they win two in a row and things are fine. Loss in St. Louis has concern again as they go to .500. Back to back wins over good teams and all is well. Loss to Nashville happens, but now they can get back to two games over and maybe get points in both road games. Do that and you're a week from the end of October and sitting 5-3-1, don't and you're .500 or worse.
Getting ahead allows them to rest Smith appropriately, and not panic.
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