I agree to an extent but I think it also depends are you looking big picture (i.e.) overall style of play and how some teams exploit it vs short term (i.e.) rick Ralph 10 game segments?
Making the playoffs the last few years has raised expectations. Getting tuned up and spit out as they have vs. STL., Vegas and Col in the first round has left some, such as me, perhaps not appreciating that we are lucky to have a playoff team even if they do not play a playoff style or match up well vs certain teams.
It is a marathon not a sprint that I know but I am having trouble not fast forwarding to the playoffs!
It can be complicated because no team can go 82 without injuries and other adversity, so the fact remains; having the best season doesn't always translate to playoff success. We lost to Vegas when a combination of Ehlers, Morrissey and Scheifele were injured. Not taking anything away from the cup champs that year, but we were decimated with injuries in what would have been a tough series anyway.
Right now, Ehlers, Samberg and Scheifele (even though he played) being injured for a time really hurt us. The luck to go 15-1 can't be ignored, 3 OT winners that could've gone either way, a few games we didn't deserve to win. More recently, we lose an OT game, lose a few that we didn't deserve to win, and lose a couple we did. There is so much luck involved. If we don't get that second penalty in the last minute vs Vegas, do we win? Probably.
The point is, the playoffs are a different season and when it starts you hope most of the roster is close to 90% health. And you hope they can still play by the 4th round, most can't. Edmonton came so close last year, game 7 was a last man standing contest more than anything. Guys playing with cracked ribs and sprained joints.
That's why you can't tell me right now with any authority who will win the cup. The season will give you a good idea of who as a good shot, but if you pick the winner, it's just luck.
We have a really good team, we all want to win and see a few holes in the lineup. There are a few teams that were favorites to be winners this year that are fire sales now, NY, Nashville, maybe the Canucks and Oilers. And the Jets, Capitals, and Wild were all supposed to be borderline teams. Hockey is such a dynamic sport with so many moving parts.
Peaking as a team near the end of the season is probably good. The will to win, leadership and luck are all factors.
That's a long way of saying the Jets are winning the cup this year.