In fairness that was arguably the best game our role players probably played all season long.
Our depth role players for the most part this season have been super inconsistent at best.
Most nights this year if 29, 8 or 96 aren't doing the heavy lifting we lose. The exceptions are the nights George gives us A+ goaltending which he has done plenty this year.
Not saying the depth role players aren't doing anything helpful, they just aren't at all consistently reliable on both sides of the ice. It's a mixed bag and you never know what you're going to get. The only player that hasn't gotten consistent time on line 1, that has been fairly reliable is JTC. But he also gets plenty of ice with the big 3 via PP time.
I think you're underestimating the impact our depth players have had.
Are they good offensively? Not really. But this team has been one of the best defensive teams in the league all season - that's not just our top guys dominating.
Yes, there are breakdowns that occur and they look bad because our team's breakdowns tend to be of the major variety. However, this team has done a tremendous job buying into Bednar's system all season and checking the life out of their opponents when they're on. When they're off, yeah we see the gaps this team has by losing games to the Stars, Devils, Kraken, etc. But when they're on, they can beat anyone in this league.
The problem is ensuring they stay "on" over a two month stretch towards a Stanley Cup. That I am not convinced they can do with this year's roster and the injuries.