Round 1: Boston Bruins (A1) vs. Florida Panthers (WC2)

[Joe]

So, now that they're out can I offer maybe a bit of a hot take? Like, kudos to Boston's regular season, it was a legit accomplishment but...it always rang a little hollow, right? Like, nobody really came up with a convincing explanation as to why this Boston team was the greatest regular season ever and it was mainly constructed a lot like their other teams so I guess I was always kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Hard to deny they had one of the most successful regular seasons ever, but, that's really all it is - they had a very successful season. Everything clicked for them until the playoff started. Does that make them one of the greatest teams ever? No. In terms of the on-ice talent, definitely not.

I'd be waving a giant 100% flag if I was standing beside you right now.

[Nik]

So, now that they're out can I offer maybe a bit of a hot take? Like, kudos to Boston's regular season, it was a legit accomplishment but...it always rang a little hollow, right? Like, nobody really came up with a convincing explanation as to why this Boston team was the greatest regular season ever and it was mainly constructed a lot like their other teams so I guess I was always kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Hard to deny they had one of the most successful regular seasons ever, but, that's really all it is - they had a very successful season. Everything clicked for them until the playoff started. Does that make them one of the greatest teams ever? No. In terms of the on-ice talent, definitely not.

That's what I mean almost. Other than "everthing clicked" there's just no compelling explanation here. Like if I gave you a look at both team's rosters without telling you how they did pre-season there's no one in the world who would have said there was a 40 point difference between the Panthers and Boston.

I mean other than the goalies, there wasn't even like a "Pavel Zacha had 45 goals" kind of thing here.

[bustaheims]

That's what I mean almost. Other than "everthing clicked" there's just no compelling explanation here. Like if I gave you a look at both team's rosters without telling you how they did pre-season there's no one in the world who would have said there was a 40 point difference between the Panthers and Boston.

I mean other than the goalies, there wasn't even like a "Pavel Zacha had 45 goals" kind of thing here.

Yeah. It was really mostly the result of being able to maintain a good level of consistency while getting that excellent goaltending.