Just like Kings did when they won their cup.
Disagree..i think Islanders would of beaten Dallas quite easily
i don't see Tampa able to match Dallas d trio, nor their style of play
and the fact that Dallas have far better finishers what Isles had.
Tampa can't engage another 1 goal game win tactic against Dallas,
if they do try, they'll get swept 4-zip.
It does feel a lot like the Kings run because every round has an opponent excuse.
Their scoring going up is a similar phenomenon as well--much like the Kings did they're primarily a defensive team that has the horses to adapt if need be.
Kopitar was 25-51-76 in the reg season, 8-12-20 in the playoffs for a 33 goal, 82 point pace.
Benn had a 19-20-39 reg season, a 46 pt pace, and he's 8-10-18 in the playoffs, a 31 goal, 70pt pace
Doughty was 10-26-36 in the season, 4-12-16 in the playoffs for a 16 goal, 66pt pace.
Heiskanen was 8-27-35 in the season, 5-17-22 in the plyaoffs for a 20 goal, 86pt pace.
and then you have Dustin Brown~Guriyanov, the goalies, etc. a lot of dudes whose games have elevated heavily and you don't have to worry about it drying up because it's coming from
everywhere and starts with the defensive end.
People rely too much on the regular season for projections. A team in June--much less a team in September!--is a much different squad than a team in March.
Some of the matchups are going to be really interesting. I think Miro can skate with the best of TB, but Hedman isn't like anything VGK could throw out there. the TB PP vs. the Dallas PK and goaltending. etc. Feels like a series that will have a lot of swings where each team takes turns looking unbeatable.