Carolina is a very good TEAM. They don't have a lot of people who are individuals that stick out, but they do have some. Obviously, Sebastian Aho must be contained. You have to treat him like a Panarin and a Zibenajad and he could probably beat you both ways.
Brett Burns has been fantastic - their Dougie Hamilton (and he's actually Dougie's replacement). Doesn't play as old as he is. Dangerous. Jaccob Slavin is the heartbeat of that defense. He may not beat you offensively but then he's probably beating you defensively. Skjei is solid.
Necas has stepped up this year. In the offseason last year I was hoping CAR was going to give up on him and we could snag him for cheap. But he's become the player everyone assumed. He's like Dawson Mercer, maybe better right now. He's also the only 20+ goal scorer active on the roster other than Aho (36).
What they do have is very solid if unspectacular 2nd-4th lines that all can step up, all have strong crunch time performances. Staal. Stastny. And even the much maligned KK has been like Erik Haula in that toward the end of the year he really turned it on, and has continued that in the postseason. Don't assume he's still trash.
They're disciplined, they're well coached, they play the "game" with the officials.
We're a little faster, we're a lot more skilled especially in the top 6. Our defense is probably better top to bottom ,although I'd kill for Slavin as would anyone. People crap on Chatfield but the guy quietly led the team in +/- (not itself a great stat, I know, but it's something) and I've always seen him be solid. Think Bahl.
It will be a good series! Their goalies are inconsistent - amazing brick walls one day and swiss cheese the next.
Devils in 7