Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylvanfan
Except that in that run the Flames had a Hart Trophy candidate Iginla is his prime and a Vezina guy in Kiprudoff leading them. In any series they potentially had the best player.
This current group doesn't have anyone like that. Maybe Markstrom if he can find his game, but Goaltending doesn't have as big an impact as it did 20 years ago and this years Markstrom can't string 3 good games together. Last year Ottenger was great...still not enough to win the series. Teams need impact forwards and defenseman to win now.
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Actually, comparing last year's Stars with the '04 Flames does make a lot of sense. Both teams had a brick wall in net. Thing is, the Stars suddenly lost their #1C right before game 7. With him in the lineup there's a very strong chance they win that game. Now think back to '04 game 7 vs the Canucks, what kind of effect it would have had on the team if Conny was suddenly unavailable for that game. Very strong chance the Canucks win that game and the series.
I'd argue goaltending is just as important now as it ever was.