Edmonton is much more than McDavid/Draisaitl this season, it appears. They still have Skinner/Pickard in net. Skinner beat our ass last year so I have to give him that. But I think the Stars are better, especially with Rantanen now.
Regarding Minnesota, I think you're not giving them enough credit. The Wild had the best record in the NHL -- or close to it -- when they were wrecked with injuries. Minnesota got healthy near the end of the year and went on a run to make the playoffs and gave Vegas all it could handle.
Mikko doesn't make us faster but he's makes us a better scoring team. You're going to have to score some goals to beat the Oilers.
For the second time in three series, I'm picking the Stars' opponent to win the series if you're putting a gun to my head. I didn't like how the Stars were playing headed into the Colorado series but they gutted through it. I flat out thought we would lose to the Avs. I didn't expect a loss to Winnipeg in Round 2 but I also wasn't assuring myself the Stars were beating the Jets either. I'm conflicted on this round. The Stars, like Scottie Scheffler on the back nine yesterday, have righted their ship and now Miro's back. But the Oilers beat us last year and have added pieces that make them even more dangerous. I said it last week -- McDavid and Draisaitl are not going to retire without hoisting the Stanley Cup at least once. I'm almost certain of that. So, I hope I'm very wrong but I'd pick the Oilers to win in six games.
The East is not anywhere near as deep as the West but the two teams in the Finals there are spectacular teams, especially the Panthers. Any of the four left can win the Cup and I think that's fun as fuck. I hope it's our Stars!