1. tittysnacks

2.
a. I don't believe New England can shut down the depth of the Panthers. They are a deep team, and you can't shutdown every player, no matter how hard you try. You will have players scoring goals, and trying to shift focus on them just means the other depth get a bit easier of a time when it comes to having the puck.
b. The Panthers should absolutely try to shutdown Lacksamus. A player on a heater like that, it will take a lot of wind out of the sails of the Wolfpack if their top player gets shutdown and isn't producing like he has been this playoffs. Granted it will be no easy task, but if I were the Panthers I would be making sure Lacksamus has the toughest time when the puck is near him.
c. I think goaltending will be important this series, but it comes down to the first game. Which goaltender gets off to the right start, has the momentum on their side. Once they get that first win, I think it will be difficult to be able to take that swagger away and force a long series.
d. If the amount of animals is even on both sides, I would say the Panthers win. Though the wolves have greater experience working as a pack, I believe the Panthers will out muscle the Wolves. Plus I believe they would work with the environment the best to cause ambushes and trim down the numbers of the wolves.

6.
Obviously the best SHL team to not make the finals this season is the Calgary Dragons. Though their record doesn't reflect it, they are a hungry team and are going to be a force these next few seasons. They will start making playoffs and be a difficult team to face every year. They have solid defense, as well as a promising young goalie currently in the juniors. The future is bright for the Dragons, as bright as a flame some would say. They control their own destiny, and right now the destiny is Challenge Cup champions and being a difficult team year in and year out to face in the SHL.