The Stanley Cup playoffs are a grind. For those fortunate enough to make the final round for Lord Stanley’s Cup, a team’s season can stretch in excess of 100 games. Considering the noticeably more physical style of games in the NHL playoffs, injuries are inevitable.
The last ten teams that have made the Stanley Cup Final used an average of 14.8 forwards and 7.2 defensemen in their playoff run: A total of 22 skaters.
A good test to know if a team is prepared to go deep into the playoffs is to assess whether the team would be comfortable suiting up their 15th forward or 8th defenseman for a Stanley Cup Final game.