How do you analyze Boston with that formula?
I think they're an exception to that rule. Yes, they have some very good offensive players, but no one (on the Cup winning team) that I would consider offensively elite.
I don't think there is some dogmatic rule about what a Cup-winning team has to have. We've also seen teams where players were only considered to be elite AFTER they'd won the Cup.
I do agree that Nashville looks less dangerous in the post-season than some of the other contenders. I think Forsberg is too early in his career to be counted on as being a difference-maker this time.
I also agree that the Blues have a better chance this year than in any recent year. But damn, the West is going to be a slugfest. Hopefully however the pairings work out, at least 2 of the serious contenders can face each other before the Blues face them.
To me, Boston was top-to-bottom a better team than Nashville. Bergeron, Krejci, Lucic, Seguin, Marchand, Horton is better than Ribeiro, Forsberg, Neal, Fisher, Craig Smith and Colin Wilson.
Bergeron may not be a big name scorer but he's absolutely a top center. Elite defensively, just a great all-around player. Krejci is good too, and absolutely tore it up in the playoffs both years that they went to the Cup. I don't think the Preds have anyone near their level at center.
Plus, the Bruins did have that intimidating, physical element as well, much like the Kings, that helped them. They seemed to have a really good, penalty-killing 4th-line with guys like Campbell, Paille and Thornton too. They just had an identity where everything clicked. I feel like the Predators are just a few individual parts (Rinne, Weber, maybe Josi...) and then just a bunch of other supporting cast guys who are pretty good, but nothing great.
Since February 21st, Filip Forsberg has 5 points. So I just can't take a team too seriously when Mike Ribeiro is their leading point-producer. May be a little biased too since I hate that guy. And I believe him and Forsberg will struggle in the playoffs.
But yeah, Nashville and Chicago would be an ideal first-round matchup for us. I just am not sold on the Predators. Maybe there's some bitterness involved too. After the Blues' 3 early exits, I will not be happy if a team like Nashville comes into the playoffs and goes all the way when I don't consider them better than us at all. Sure it'd be better than the Blackhawks, but still.