Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
Here is how I break it down.
Both teams had 2 100+pt players. While there is still a very significant edge to the Oilers here the Flames duo has proved to be top players in the NHL and would have closed the gap significantly compared to their last couple years where they wouldn’t have been considered close to the Oilers duo
From there you look at the rest of the forward group and this is where the Flames take a significant advantage in the series. The Oilers trot out Nuge, Kane, Hyman, Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, McLeod which is the best depth they have had in years. The Flames however have a far superior supporting cast. Lindholm, Mangiapane, Toffoli, Backlund, Coleman, Dube. Oilers have guys like Ryan on their 4th line and the Flames have beef and a proven winner in Lewis.
Flames have the clear advantage on the blueline. Edmonton has a questionable defense. Nurse is inconsistent, Keith is washed, Barrie is horrible in his end, Kulak is just another guy, and Ceci is average. Flames top pair had 98pts this year. Hanifin Qi’s reaching his potential as a top pair guy and Anderson had a breakout year. If Tanev can play he is a key shift down guy and great pair with Kylington. Flames have the best third pair in the league and built for the playoffs in Gudbransen and Zadorov.
Flames have a clear advantage in net. Markstrom is a Vezina finalist who had an incredible first round. Smith is playing well for a while now but we all know he can be broken and can fall apart any game. He is 40 years old.
Flames also have the advantage when it comes to coaching. Oiler fans seem to be in love with Woodcroft and they had a great record under him but Sutter is all time. Multiple cups, many playoff series wins, a lock for the Jack Adams. He has this team playing consistent and they have all bought in. They stick with it and have dominated teams 5 on 5 all year.
*TLDR*
Oilers have the best player
Flames have better depth, defense, goalie, and coach.
That is why we are largely being picked to win the series and I for one agree but definitely am nervous. Really hoping the Flames can win in 5 and avoid a long series.
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McDavid + Draisaitl outscored Gaudreau + Tkachuk by 12 points.
They had 125 more minutes of PP time, which more than explains the difference.
Gaudreau and Tkachuk had higher offensive production, per 60,
The 'significant edge' is more than 100% explained by extra ice-time, and in fact is 100% explained just by the extra PP time.