Of course adding Daniel Sedin to the lineup changes things. After all, he was the NHL's top point getter last season. He is also one huge component of that top line. The biggest reason they won is because the Sedins are far more effective together vs. apart. Their chemistry is the best in the NHL by the identical twin default. It's like having a two headed beast... once you slay one head, you expose the other and is nearly rendered useless. Henrik needs his brother to be fully effective. His brother Daniel creates so much open space for him. LA's shutdown line focuses more on him, the more perimeter *safe player of the two* the one who doesn't play in the dirty areas like Dan did. But when he's hurt, Henrik has to start being that player, and thus why you saw his goal scoring go up when his brother was down for 19 games two years ago. The mentality of his game changes. That's why he is also more durable of the two brothers. Goal scorers tend to hang on the puck longer and carry it in deep into heavy traffic areas. He's not as comfortable playing that role, so of course he won't be as effective. Again, when you lose a 41 goal, 104 point scorer last season, and a guy who had 67 in 72 games this year, it's going to make a world of difference how your top line produces, and with it, the team. When both heads are roaring, it makes for a frightful situation for most team defenses. I think they can win a game or two, but with being so far down, and LA having goaltending that is on, solid defence, and their forwards firing.. while a comeback is possible, it's highly unlikely.
