I think it should introduce some conversation - considering Zadorov played
#2 a, a. b,
#3 a, a. b, b, b**
#4 a*, a. b, b, b
* R1, G1 both Cole and Zadorov played 19:21 good for 3/4 - 0:10 behind #2 Hronek 19:31. Giving the worst possible interpretation here.
**R2, G7, played 21:56 #3 mins
22+ a, b
20-22 a, a, a, b, b, b
18-20 a, b
Under 18 a, b', b
b' exactly 18:00
R1 122:02, atoi 20:20
R2 139:58, atoi 20:00
Total 262:00, atoi 20:09
For 13 playoff games, Zadorov had no 3rd pairing minutes. He played #2 minutes for 3/13 games and was comfortably slotted in with 2nd pairing minutes for the other 10/13 games.
Small sample size, yes. But, these are huge games not regular season ones this should count for something in the discussion.