Quoting: PurpleHippo
LA went away from it cause it wasn't working, it was a great system during the season against most teams but really hasn't worked well vs EDM.
Also EDM massively changed their system this series and it killed the offence of LA, neither of these discredit LA as being a good opponent but was the easiest matchup.
Silov's played incredible aside from game 1, I would make a genuine argument that he was Van's best player or at least top 3. I don't know why everyone is throwing him under the bus, I also don't know if Demko would've done better as Silov's played absolutely beautifully for a first time goalie (that isn't me discrediting Demko, but to discredit Silovs efforts is low). EP has a lingering leg issue since January, wouldn't say it's an injury as numerous players have those things come out after elimination (there are 5 players rumoured as injured in EDM rn).
Hintz wasn't, though he still played well at times but was insanely limited. Tanev played well the whole series, there wasn't a drop off after the ankle/foot issue.
Things can be said about Florida's path too, Vassy played poorly and Sergachev wasn't ready in TB, Marchant missed games and McAvoy dealt with a lingering upper body issue, NYR had Fox, Lindgren and Trouba with issues (Lindgren was seriously injured); It doesn't discredit a difficult path.
Neither one of the Panthers or Oilers had an easy path, LA > VAN > DAL and TB > BOS > NYR are both difficult, if you look for ways to discredit one then put an equal effort into discrediting the other otherwise it just looks like you're salty that a team you don't like made it.
LAK never settled into their system, they defaulted to the 1-2-2 neutral zone forecheck, they played scared... LAK didn't use their biggest strength and what made them good... i.e. being the easiest route
Silovs is a good goalie, but he isn't close to Demko... And having a sub .900 goaltender isn't Van's best player by a long shot, with Demko, VAN steals 1 of the game and therefore wins in 6...Vancouver with their 3rd string is the 2nd easiest matchup out of the 6 we are talking about... Silovs' being praised due to the low bar
Hintz played well but would have played better if he wasn't hurt, Tanev's impact was large; McDavid went from 4 pts in 3 games to 6 pts in 3 games, Draisaitl went from 1 pt in 3 games, to 3 pts in 3 games... Wyatt Johnston got affected severely by being worn down: https://www.theprogress.com/sports/dallas-stars-get-some-needed-rest-ahead-of-third-round-date-with-oilers-7362263 (11 pts in 13 games vs COL defence and VGK defence to 5 pts in 6 games vs EDM defence (Nurse-Ceci the pair he'd face), Logan Stankoven another guy (12 pts in 18 games vs COL+VGK compared to 2 pts in 6 games vs EDM) and more... Very impactful players for Dallas that weren't at their best...
Quoting: aadoyle
Nah EDM had an easy path come on dont be silly. Making it to the finals is nice but lets be real anyone would have taken that route especially the eastern teams
A meh LAK team who quit on the system that made them handle teams like EDM and got smashed to Van with their #3 goalie to a tired DAL team hell yah sign me up to that
We all know if Van had Demko story would have been different as if we look goaltending decides a series and while Silvos had his moments he also let in some backbreakers at times or got overwhelmed. People dont like hearing it but its the truth
In the end if we compare it to DAL route or FLA route night and day different
This^ is the quick summary