The D being activated was one of Peters' major changes. The chaos it provides on the forecheck, at very least, leads to a dump out not a breakout. And if implemented properly, outside of your own increased hard work, there's no gaping hole it leaves you exposed to on the back end.
On the D pinching up into the play offensively, it means the d have make a quick decision to do so or not do so and take a bit of a risk vs reward, but with forwards recongizing this, they are quick to cover.
The horses are there to do it, and have done it 2 calender years ago, so nice to see it working. Players may be dog tired and not like the relentlessness, but they are 3-0 with that properly channeled additional effort and work via Sutter and his gameplan.
With Peters it was relying on Giordano, as captain, and leader of the defense, and the oldest guy on the ice, to be able to pull it off. Gio did so, and got the Norris as a reward.
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