Traits Separating Cup Contenders from Pretenders

Contenders show elite speed that warps defenses, like Edmonton's McDavid forcing chaos in ways only insiders see up close. They pair that flash with gritty finishing in the slot, turning openings into daggers that pretenders can't match. As the Olympic break ends, the stretch run exposes teams with blue-line drivers, center depth, and late-game steel - the exact blueprint for surviving four brutal playoff rounds.