Team defense matters matters more in the playoffs because NHL officiating is not the same in the playoffs compared to the regular season. What's obstruction in the regular season is not in the playoffs. It certainly makes life difficult for GM's as if you build a great regular season team there's a good chance your team will have difficulty even getting out of the first round if they aren't proficient at slowing games down locking things down defensively. High skill teams that can score a lot of goals and dominate on the powerplay in the regular season need to be able to change their style of play for the playoffs or they have no chance of winning a cup. Teams like the Islanders simply have to have good enough regular seasons to make the playoffs as their style of play directly translates to the change in officiating. I hate it but this is what the NHL clearly wants.
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