We were +1 this season at 5v5. We scored one more goal than our opponents.
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere were the best line in the league and Kreider-Zibanejad are +8745893447589758917439 at 5v5 since like 2017. Where did the minuses come from?
Do the math.
They came primarily from Nick Bonino, Tyler Pitlick, Barclay Goodrow, and Jimmy Vesey. Most of them were -10 or worse 5v5 (Vesey was -9) Now, two of those guys are still in the lineup and are on the 4th line and the other two were sent to Narnia. Wheeler was +1 on the season for those wondering (-4 away from Mika-Kreider, +5 with that line). FWIW, Carolina "2nd line" center Jordan Staal was -11 and "3rd line" winger Martin Necas was -6.
If we're not including Rempe, which to me is fine because I don't see him suiting up for more than a game this series, those two were the least TOI per game against Washington at 5v5. You're also replacing him with Chytil, who was -1 on the season, but that an extremely small sample. Regardless of rust, he's the better player and a massive upgrade.
I understand going with the full scope of the season, but this team had countless changes to the bottom of their lineup. We went from guys that were outright minuses to guys that broke even (Wennberg, Roslovic) being added to the lineup.
In the end, the Canes have the better bottom 6 overall, but I do not believe it is a massive advantage. Their massive advantage is that they get to run Orlov, Skjei, and Slavin down the left side. Gus is solid, Miller has been outstanding, but Lindgren would be the one that doesn't belong if you're ranking this group. They also don't have a Trouba, although DeAngelo can do a killer impression on his side of the red line.
If Igor makes up the difference, we'll be cooking. If he and Andersen are on par with each other this probably goes the wrong way.
And we haven't heard anything about Chytil coming back because they've had the last two days off. I'd expect them to be on the ice tomorrow, we'll find out more then.