Thomas was better last regular season than this, but he wasn't lights out in the first 2 games against Montreal. Playoffs are such a different animal that you have to take the regular season and any momentum coming out of it with a grain of salt.
Goaltending and defense are so important when it comes to a deep run in the playoffs. I think last year we definitely had a hotter goalie than this year. Our defense has looked really bad at times this year compared to last, which is also partially responsible for the goaltending not looking as strong. Corvo was not the only problem with the defense this year, btw. However, our offense is more potent this year even without Horton. As some have mentioned, a lot depends on if we can replace some of the big goals from guys like Recchi and Ryder. Going into last year's playoffs there were a ton of people on this board who thought the idea of winning the Cup was silly, and were calling for CJ's head. Even during the playoffs at times the doom and gloomers were out in full force. I think it can be effectively argued both ways -- team is worse than last year, team is better than last year. My feeling is that we are probably a better overall team now than last year, but so much depends on health and some luck when it comes to winning a Cup. The main thing for me is that we are still in a position to compete for a Cup. CJ, Chia, etc. have certainly brought us a long way from where they started.
How can a team stacked with players on forward aged 20-26-25-23-23-26 as your best forwards be presumed worse this year than last when they won the Cup only once?
Actually , with this run's experience, these players will only get better.
And the same goes for Pouliot/Caron/Boychuk/McQuaid/Rask/Paille, etc.....
This is a team on a learning curve for many years to come and it is kind of strange that some people believe that basically the same core of players can get worse from year to year.
They have the capacity to repeat for another few years to come.
Look for Lucic to play physical and have a good series. Seguin should have confidence going into the playoffs, and Bergeron has had a great year, and hopefully will continue to play well.
Krejci, Kelly, Campbell and Caron need to step it up a bit.
If everyone follows CJ's game plan, and plays up to their potential, it will be a fun series to watch!
If Horton were healthy I would say that they absolutely are.
Right now it depends on guys like Pouliot, Rolston and maybe even Caron--as well as Seguin's consistency in the playoff atmosphere.
They are faster this year, as well. Seguin over Recchi is big upgrade in this department. Pouliot over Ryder is a big speed upgrade as well.
Recchi's leadership was quite useful, but now there are 20 cup winners in the room rather than two--so that helps.
Zanon means each defenseman can and should cross the 15m per game mark. That didn't happen last year because of the limited mins for Kaberle.
Ryder was an x factor in at least one series. Someone of Pouliot, Rolston or Caron probably needs to have a few moments where they get the team over the hump the way Ryder did. This could be a career defining playoffs for a guy like Pouliot.
Agree with all, especially the bolded. Ryder and Horton were big contributors during last year's run.
I stand by it, one of the worst..if not the worst, for the playoffs. Pouliot has the hockey sense of a concussed mite, and has a staggering two assists in the playoffs becuase of it. I will bet you a nickel right now that Pouliot is a minus for the playoffs. Rolston is too soft for the playoffs and his career stats reflect it in spades. Kelly I will give you but he is not talented enough to carry the other two.
I thought the line played as good if not better than lines 1 and 2 last night.
I thought the line played as good if not better than lines 1 and 2 last night.
I agree with you...Third line surprised me pleasanty last night but I do not expect much more....Maybe at home, which is more than I was expecting. I didn't think Line 1 had a particularly good night. They were backchecked well and pounded Krejci, which does work.
