from Cam Cole of the Vancouver Sun,

“I think this team is as good,” Gillis said. “I think our defence is as good, I think Jason Garrison has a chance to be a real good player with Alex Edler — they eat minutes, they’re big guys.

“But you have to avoid injuries, and you have to have great goaltending. That’s what L.A. got last year. They wouldn’t have even been close to being in the playoffs if Jonathan Quick was not the best player in the National Hockey League last year. And they get in the playoffs, avoid injuries, play the same six defenceman all the way through, some guys rise to the occasion, they get good matchups and great goaltending ...”

And win the Stanley Cup.

“The way I see it, if you’re constantly knocking on the door, sooner or later the puck doesn’t hit the post but goes in. Your guy doesn’t get hurt but someone on the opposition does.”

more