A lot of good observations in this thread.
I agree with Cecil that the system did change to one where a talentless roster can grind out wins, last year maybe it was the same system, but either they had more rope, or the top players just didn’t listen and did what they wanted? I don’t know.
Seems like Sutter is trying to force point shots, shots volume, dump and chase puck retrieval instead of players carrying in, short passes, making the safe plays to try and inch out wins.
His lineups and roster usage made sense last year, other than overplaying markstrom, but this year he seems like he’s trying to send messages instead of playing the best players.
In the end, it’s boring hockey even if it wins games, the product isn’t very entertaining to watch.
(Sometimes I wonder though if Sutter is pulling the old rope-a-dope where we squeak in the playoffs and then unleashes his true system lol!)
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