Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
Disagree.
The Islanders are exactly where I thought they would be.
I know people hate the saying "offense sells tickets, defense wins championships" but there is so much truth to it.
Of the 4 remaining teams, the Isles (who went to the semis last year as well), the Lightning, and the Knights were all top 6 in goals given up during the regular season. Montreal, the one outlier, had their starting goaltender miss almost 3/4 of the season, but when he did play put up a GAA that would have had the Habs #1 in that category.
Team defense and commitment to it is the biggest component to success in the playoffs.
|
Also no coincidence that the 4 remaining teams have 4 of the best goalies in the league. And even backups - Sorokin and Lehner are no slouches either. In save% Varlamov, MAF, and Vasilevksy were 2,3 and 6 (and 1,4 and 5 were backups). And Price is Price.