Ole Gil
Registered User
- May 9, 2009
- 5,703
- 8,898
I'm convinced Rod should have the boys watch their game tape all morning for this series. See how badly they've played and despite it being close to winning. I know it'd make me mad....but some of these guys might be the type to just shurg....and if they are it makes me sad they could have that much talent and so little fire.
The circumstances are hard. This is an organization that prides itself on being family focused. By design, the roster is filled with guys who are going to take being in the bubble harder than most.
There's so much stuff they are dealing with, that we saw the #1 goalie of the #1 team just go home because he couldn't manufacture the intensity. Has that ever been an issue for anyone in a playoff series in NHL history? Just couldn't convince himself a Stanley cup playoff game wasn't a glorified scrimmage?
This will probably be the first time in NHL history, players are happy to get knocked out of the playoffs. Disappointed they didn't win still, but happy for it to be over and to go home.
--
My point being, I don't think you shame them into playing harder. Rod is an honest coach. People say debbie downer, but it's not negative. it's honest. He's going to try and motivate them with positivity, and hopefully it works. But if it doesn't, that's okay, because this playoff setup is the antithesis of what the Canes are about as an organization.