You can take it the same way. Just because they swept the lighting the year before doesn't mean they were a good team
Leafs got shutout twice in their own building.
Not much has changed from that team to this team other than cosmetics. Be happy with these type of wins
Instead of kapanen we have mikaheyv. Exactly the same player
Instead of goat we have Engvall. Slight upgrade
Is simmonds really that much better than AJ ? Or even Thornton?
Trevor Moore throws more hits than Simmonds. He's just too slow for today's game. Clifford was unfortunately better than him
But you think this is a better team?
Our PP has the same structure from last year.
Only upgrade really is Brodie
So we're upgraded, we had a chance last year, we have a chance this year. Hyman and Matthews also playing on another level. The team D, as mentioned, is miles better than under Babcock. Just eliminating the stretch pass and changing to having forwards support the D on the zone exits has been a fantastic change.
Concrete improvements:
1. More mileage playing under new coach has had tangible benefits
2. Transformation in Holl
3. Added our now best defensemen in Brodie
4. Matthews playing on another level
5. Hyman playing on another level
6. Better forward depth (like you said Engvall > Goat)
When you're a young team, one of your year over year improvements is your young core gets better. We're seeing that.
Wildcard improvements:
1. Campbell on fire. He may stay healthy and would provide a much needed improvement over Andersen.
2. If we're just healthier than last season, we probably beat CBJ. Let's not understate the impact of losing Muzzin last season's series. It wouldn't be unusual to say we're planning to have added Muzzin + Brodie this season in the playoffs.
3. Simmonds returns to pre-injury form
4. Robertson or Sandin taking another step
If our PP were clicking right now you wouldn't have much to say. I get it, it's a long drought. We'll get through it.