Going to be an interesting couple days here.
I would disagree that coaching wasn't the issue though. Lavvy did well but he was showing a real inability to change and alter what was happening. There is a lot of commentary out about our last couple playoff appearances. How the year we went to the Stanley Cup Finals, we caught everyone by surprise, they couldn't figure out how to get the puck past our trap defense into the zone. The next year, we did the same thing but people had figured it out and it was only through some luck that we got as far as we did. Last year, Dallas had it figured out completely and made us look horrible. So, we get more talented players but the system doesn't change. Dallas made us look horrible in the playoffs last year and in both the times they have faced us this season. If we hadn't had the five minute major, I'm not sure the first period would have looked good for us either. And yet, nothing changes.
Power play is the same thing. We have always been the team that throws it around the outside and then the defense takes a shot from the blue line. So, we bring in more talented guys so we can do more.... and yet still, most of our shots on the power play are from the blue line. However, if we score it is most often because there is a change and someone actually passes it across the middle or to someone other than going around the outside. They just don't hardly ever do that.
Shea Weber is looking great and he was well loved here but his last couple playoff years here he was starting to look old. He was fine through the regular season but got tired in the playoffs. His contract also was choking us. Subban's wasn't any better. There were a bunch here that liked Subban's play but it drove me nuts. High risk, high reward. He might get a good shot and score but if he doesn't it is often leading to a break away the other direction. However, trading him freed up a lot of space for us to make some moves. I think we would love to have Weber back but not at his cost.
John Hines just announced as new coach. We will see how this goes.