Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Isn't it the head coach's job to get the best out of the players in the playoffs? If it was all on the players then would coaching even matter? He also refused to change goaltenders even when it was evident Markstrom was struggling. Darryl Sutter is one of the best coaches in the NHL just like Markstrom and Tkachuk are two of the best players in the NHL at their positions. Doesn't change the fact that they all weren't their best this postseason.
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I'm completely happy with Sutter taking some blame, but from the outside I'd prefer to see a tangible thing to look at.
Woodlief had Markstrom giving up one more goal then he should have in games two through five (after a rocky first game).
If Sutter saw the same he's not going with Vladar.
The Oilers destroyed the Flames forecheck and five man unit system by counter striking. I think Sutter had to ease back on the throttle for the pressure system because of that.
That's the change that I saw ... less forecheck, less two men deep. Was that a coaching call to avoid getting dusted in the counter attack? Or did the players start cheating to avoid getting caught? I'd have to know the answer to say who did what.