They have three Hart trophy winners on their top line. Their second line is also pretty decent.

Nurse and Bouchard are a functional top defensive pair. They have not one but TWO niggers on the team.

Pickard is playing better than Skinner was. That was a good move.

They don't have a lot of depth and they run very top heavy but McJesus plays like a bat out of hell. He is possessed or something. They have a million come from behind wins. They kind of took the regular season off and didn't make anybody's radar.

I am not super confident but I could just see it happening. It feels like no matter how far down they are they can always come back. They also remind me of Florida last year how they had been an offensive team the year prior, almost made it all the way, then retooled and came back as a defensive team. Edmonton look visually like they were built for a Cup run.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#48912037)

Of course Florida is built to win a Cup and has a strong chance to win. But you can't count out McDavid and Draisaitl. They have the will to win. I mean they came extremely close last year. You can never count them out. They beat some really good teams to get here. And I think with the experience of last year they may just have what it takes. Can't wait to watch this shit unfold.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#48962378)

every hockey fan knows that McDavid is one of 6 players in history to record 150 points in a season alongside Gretzky, LeMieux, Phil Esposito, Stevie Y, and Bernie Nicholls

if you're not a hockey fan you may not know anything about hockey at all

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#48967704)

Meanwhile it's very rare that the President's Trophy winner (best regular season record) wins the Stanley Cup. So much so that it's almost considered a curse to have the best record. The best teams turn it on when they need to.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#48988021)

It's kind of an indictment on the Panthers that they even needed Brand Marchand for 2 goals in that game. What would they have been without him? The returning core from last year seem worn down and depleted, especially Tkachuck who has been a no-show. Ekblad looks like a shell too (since he can't do steroids anymore).

Oilers didn't play their best game and still took it to double OT. They need to crack down on defense and be less sloppy with the puck and giving up breakaways. Their offensive deluge is still incoming. Florida needs to go up 3 goals in Game 3 early. This is the first real setback for Edmonton since Round 1. Panthers need to capitalize and go up 2-1 or they are toast. I do not see them coming back from down 2-1 when Edmonton has 2 more home games.

Game 3 will be really fun. Hopefully we see something new in this series (one team dominating the other).

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#48993994)

They played so undisciplined. 3 PP goals allowed. They're beating themselves. They are so sloppy with the penalties and giving up counterattack rushes. They definitely can't win the way they have been playing.

But it's not over. I do consider Game 4 a must win. They have to come out and play a clean game. No penalties and better defense. The goals will come. This is far from over, a Game 4 win and they're right back in it. They just have to clean up their act and make adjustments.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49001084)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49026364)

Alberta is 48% all in vs 37% in Florida. That's a huge difference. You can buy a lot of depth with 11%.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49026399)

Also the Leafs are actually a very well constructed team this year. But again no secondary scoring. The Canadian teams are always top heavy with no depth.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49026442)

I don't know why Conner is sucking it's unlike him.

It's incredibly kooky that Edmonton can dominate the entire second period and still come away down a goal.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49026603)

Also underdiscussed here is that Nuge has been bad too. Normally a clear #3 he has been a no show.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49026625)

You're either so loaded at every other position like Chicago in their championship years and it doesn't matter and you just toss a guy out there on the ice or you go after a guy who can stand on his head. But why you'd try for a marginal upgrade is beyond me.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49026666)

They could have gotten Blackwood, Gustavsson, Bishop, Dostal, Daccord, etc.

Skinner ranked 20th in the league in save percentage. Guys in the 7-12 range are regularly available.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49026678)

Florida is a way better team but not because Barkov won a couple Selkes. It's because of the whole crew. They needed every player on the roster.

Edmonton is Connor, Leon, and a bunch of scrubs.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5721689&forum_id=2)#49027205)