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I think Render's arguement just shows the level of the league. Detroit has either won it all or had an early exit, yet they're still probably the closest the NHL has had to a dynasty in quite some time. Look at how the most recent Stanley Cup finalists did this year, and the fact that the final four teams this year all missed the playoffs the last time we had hockey. It's hard to be a great team year in and year out with the length of the season/injuries/surprise stars/etc/etc.
To rag on Detroit because they usually put out a great team that doesn't always win the Cup and gets upset (though when the Western Conference rep beats them out, that should say something about the situation) just underlines the point that any team can do it if they plan well consistently.
In my estimate, the Oilers grossly underachieved this season. Going into the final month or so, they were in the running to take their division and finish 3rd, would Render still then be making his claims that Carolina would win with ease had the Oilers done that? They were a team that played to the level of their competition all season, and it bit them in the ass for their season record, but now we've seen how good they can be and rise to the challenge when all they're facing is quality opponents. It's their biggest flaw as a team, but thus far they've overcome it and are just 4 wins away.
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