Which top 4 was better? 2015 playoffs Hawks, or 2017 playoffs Predators?

[Bjornar Moxnes]

2015 playoff Hawks:
Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson

Remember Keith had a legendary performance that season, Hjalmarsson was the league's best defensive player, and Seabrook was still a poor man's Weber. Oduya was the weak link but still remained a solid #4 defensive Dman.

2017 playoff Predators:
Josi-Ellis
Ekholm-Subban

Ekholm and Subban were a monster shutdown duo that chipped in offense now and then. Josi was an offensive wizard, and Ellis was Weber lite as well. Sure both Josi and Ellis as a whole had suspect defensive play, but now and then Ellis would make key defensive plays.

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[Chef de Cuisine]

Preds

 

[JaegerDice]

On paper probably the Preds, since Seabrook and Oduya were already starting to decline as players by that point.

By performance, I'm going with the Blackhawks top4, because they basically only had those four and no real 3rd pair to back them up, and the whole story through both the WCF and SCF was how they were surely going to get worn down.... and instead, they were machines.

Plus surely there's something to be said for one of these top 4D combos actually winning the cup, with one member of said top4 winning the conn smythe unanimously.

 

[ESH]

Predators top-4 looks better on paper, but I think the Blackhawks top-4 performed better in the playoffs.

 

[tony d]

Went with the Preds.