One common characteristic I see, throughout the entire NHL, and present in ALL the teams that play, is a higher presence of random, more chaotic, general play, marked by unplanned spontaneity, where more of the positive, AND negative, results appear as if they’ve just been “happened into”, as opposed to resulting from a well planned execution of a play!
Its not a coincidence that we see a de-emphasis on the implementation, and respect for, basic hockey fundamentals, ride, side by side, with these characteristics of the game NOW.
We see also, most teams, having to work on a variety of issues, throughout the season. These varied issues seem to rise up, often, out of nowhere, or for little reason, other than they are present!
I’ve noticed a loss in the number of teams not having a “solid rep”, that identifies an obvious good characteristic about them! At a minimum, the media may try to engage in giving a rep to a team, but I feel they have to stretch their case a bit to be believed!
As compared, as an example, to the reputation the Boston Bruins had years back, as a very physical team to play.
Now, it seems you have a situation, where teams can look physical, one night, soft, on another, speedy, super offensive, slow, gritty, WHATEVER, on any given night!
Certainly, not every team, all the time, but the fickleness of the games, is at a considerably higher degree than ever before!
Rush