Devils dont even have a top pairing level Dman

Yeah no shit. A lot of teams don't even have a top pairing level defense man. Though somehow with a top pairing level defenseman we were able to be those flat out better Avs twice this year. The blues obviously we didn't, but we haven't been able to beat them for years. But if they were to face in their current states, might be crazy they might have a shot.

Flyers dcore is young but do not sell them short. They are very good and of course they don't know their starter is going to be because all their goalies were injured. Thats why they got Mzerak.

Cbus do have other players that score besides Panarin. I know he's from the far more superior central division, but he isn't carry the team.

Canes have their issues in goal and forwards and need to reassess, but their defense is very good.

Isles have a great forward group and good defense. Need to address goalie like you said, but then they will be good.

Blues and Avs have a lot less expolitable holes than those teams and would do better over a season and their goal differential and Pt% suggests they would as well.

I dunno the blues look like they have a big gap in their top 6 C right now.

The avs clearly don't have an issue with defense, they are only carrying 10 and just picked up another off waivers. Clearly no gap issue what so ever.

And yeah if I was facing the hawks this year on a consistent basis I have a great goal differential and pt% as well. Considering the Devils average goals against them was 5.5 this season.