If anything the sweep only proves our series loss wasn't a coaching one. We almost walked through them in Game 6 and 7 at points and then our boys just let of the gas tank. It looked like far less of a mental let off as well and more just they didn't have it in them. An emotional Cup win does eventually have it's wear. If anything I'm more bummed it did, because if the Caps from last seasons playoffs showed up like they did in flashes of that Canes series for a whole playoff series? From what I've seen from every other series this season it would be a cakewalk for our boys. Even the mighty Columbus has been able to get pushed and intimidated. The big thing about the playoffs is the grind, really always is. Long series or not, games are generally high emotions and high drama/very physical.
Anyway I don't think Carolina has looked all that unstoppable, I think they were always a gritty team that played games that felt like they were one goals. But I mean let's not act like they looked unbeatable against us. Sure they had the big home ice games, but even still our boys had nothing left by the last ten minutes of the third period in Game 7 and it wasn't like Carolina game blasting out able to handle it. If anything it only shows the skill difference. If the hard work of Carolina plus the skill of their top line is enough to push Trotz/Isle I don't think Isles were that big of a deal either. Again like I said, I think this Caps team playing at 100 playoff conditioned and ready walks away with these playoffs probably.
Hey Devise.
Well worded post, including the usual clarity in your style. Props to ya!
I’m with you on Carolina certainly being beatable, and the Isles, not being all that big of a deal either.
Respectfully, however, I disagree, (with what I can gather so far), from your overall assessments of why the Caps lost the R1 series.
No doubt that we saw the team run out of gas, that they “didn’t have IT in them”, in game 7, but I don’t follow your reasoning that well.
You say just prior to that quote, that you DIDN’T think it was a “mental let off”, on their part, so we can assume that you meant the running out of gas thing was describing more, a PHYSICAL condition, that occurred, and I would agree somewhat actually!
The issue, though, is what comes next in your post. This thing about an “emotional Cup win” taking its toll on the players.
“Emotional” would address a MENTAL issue, of which you thought, WASNT a real issue, contributing to the game 7 loss. Certainly the PHYSICAL BODY can’t possibly “tucker out”, in the last half, (and 2 OT’s), of an R1, game 7, played in April 2019, simply because it hasn’t recovered from a Cup series playoff win, that happened in June of 2018! Obviously not!
So then you must be giving some credence to the mental aspect of their recent, game 7, ousting, in the playoffs.
Rhetorically asking you, which is it?
Secondly, and still respectfully, how does a Carolina sweep of the Isles, relate to, and “prove”, that Rierdens coaching was not to blame!
I personally held off on judging Rierden, with any definitive conclusions, until the last few weeks of the regular season, so as to have a decent, 60-70 game sample, to look at.
Thusly, some patterns started showing themselves, IMHO, and, at a minimum, we all at least had a small sample to observe his pre and post game comments, with reactions, what he took note of, what he thought were problems, and successes. Also the players he did, or didn’t scratch throughout the year, his coaching “priorities”, and pet peeves, and the overall “cause and effect”, strategies that he either employed, or failed to employ, all season long!
Correct me if I’m wrong, Devise, but from some of your posts I’ve read over the seasons, you are in the camp of those feeling that the fault for lack of motivation/effort, from players in any given game, is generally, more on the players, than the coach.
While it is TRUE that the players decision to be motivated, or not, comes solely from THEIR BRAIN, it is the RESPONSIBILITY of the COACH, to DEAL WITH, TAKE ACTION, and RECTIFY, not only singular, but HABITUAL and REPETITIVE issues of low effort/motivation!
Todd Rierden FAILED miserably in this category! Even WORSE, he, and many players in the locker room, ACKNOWLEDGED the problem, REPEATEDLY, after the all star break, SO there is no claiming it wasn’t a ROUTINE issue, that we, as fans, constantly witnessed, and CONSTANTLY saw Rierden, not take meaningful measures, to address it!
Too many GREAT TEAMS, have won back to back Stanley Cups, throughout history, for the “emotional Cup win” excuse, to be a valid one! (Please take note I used the words, GREAT TEAMS)!
Todd Rierden, a very good man, failed to satisfactorily RECTIFY, season long issues, with some players low effort levels, as well as our famous PK, and PP issues, just for starters!
THAT is why Rierden bears a great bit of the blame for this seasons early playoff exit!
If we were to have achieved Oshies, “back to back”, wishes for a second Cup win, then we would have proudly, and deservedly, joined the ranks as one of the many GREAT TEAMS, in NHL history!!
WE DID NOT; The reality is still that we are one of the many GOOD TEAMS, that has won a Stanley Cup!
Todd Rierden, IS one of the MAJOR reasons, that is SO!
I welcome your comments
GOD BLESS
Rush
