They can compete Alan, for sure, but I see people post this a lot and it's like they're saying we're the best in the league so there's no reason to get better. This team has weaknesses. Depth scoring, 5on5 scoring, lack of size to play against bigger defenses... Weaknesses that are masked by great special teams and spectacular goaltending.
Goaltending in particular has been a big difference maker for us during the regular season. We're 1st in sv pct at .925 and a team like Tampa is only .907. I think that gap exists because of Halak. Because our backup is so much better than everyone else's. Almost every night we get spectacular goaltending, while other teams have to play crap backups 20-30 times a season. That gap in goaltending is going to close in the playoffs when teams only play their starters, and when the gap closes, other things like depth scoring and 5on5 scoring are going to matter more than in the regular season.
I think that's why Sweeney is working so hard to get help. Kase, IF he can stay healthy, will help. It will be interesting to see what else he does by 3pm.