How about that "we don't deserve to be here" is off base? They won their right to be here. They absolute DO deserve to be here. I know you mean "on paper" [and you're wrong there too] but you just shouldn't say that when your team fights and wins to get to this point.
Am I? Wheres the strengths? Defensively, right? Okay. We have Jones and Werenski, probably the best pairing in the league or at least in the conversation. Savard and Gavrikov, solid defenders, but they're not helping you score goals. This is a nice second pairing though. Murray and Kukan (since he's clearly established himself as better than Nuti and Harrington) are a formidable third pairing that could pass for a lot of teams second pairing, mostly due to Murray.
After that? You have some nice pieces offensively, but nothing you're really afraid of. PLD is getting there, and you are obviously accounting for Cam and Bjorkstrands shots, but other than that nobody is striking fear in you that you need to focus.
Seems like a bubble team to me (and I mean bubble as in a fringe playoff team). A team where if they make it in, you go "Oh okay, I see why." but if they miss you aren't surprised either.
And I didn't mention goalies on purpose, because I think its been pretty much proven our system is very goalie friendly right now.
It's one heck of a long shot, sure. But the idea of a less talented team beating a more talented team can't be that much of a shocker at this point, can it be? Please tell me you haven't reverted to expecting talent to win every series, as if we haven't seen the opposite of that happening over and over again. I really wouldn't be surprised if a "less talented" squad goes all the way.
This year is an anomaly because of the restart and all. So yeah, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if a team who shouldn't win it ends up playing for it (Calgary, NYI, CBJ, MTL, Dallas sort of teams fit this mold), but that would be a completely different year. Typically, that wouldn't happen. They might win a round, maybe even two, but their number would get called eventually.
Last few SCF:
Boston-STL, 2nd most points in the East vs (tied for) 4th most points in the West.
Washington vs VGK. 3rd in East to 3rd in the West
Pittsburgh vs NSH. 2nd vs 8th (hey, the worst team made it in!)
Pittsburgh vs SJ. 2nd vs 6th.
Looks like you have to be pretty high in the standings in order to win/play for the cup, and if you get there and you're NOT that, you'll lose.
Some could make the exact opposite argument - that our coach's extremely defensive strategy is why we have player after player have career worst seasons. We're seeing the product of a defensive system at both ends of the ice. In my opinion the Jackets need a couple more strong playmakers, they've got plenty of guys that can score (and have scored) 20 or 30 in the right situation. The extreme dearth of offensive pressure is more a consequence of coaching strategy in my opinion.
I agree here, but again, I think he's playing to the strength of his team. And that strength certainly isn't offensive firepower. If we TRIED to play at that style, I don't think we'd be singing the praises of Korpisalo and Elvis as much as we have this year.
