As the other poster was saying, we have a new D system this year. You can't call something a pattern with so many changing factors.
Also I disagree that Nurse has been terrible in the playoffs. Especially last year, everyone looked bad as LA and Vegas were picking apart our systems. The big dumb thing he did was get baited into a fight and got suspended, AFTER Drai told everyone to stay cool
System has nothing to do with it. Banged up is also a terrible excuse. His pattern is completely predictable
For 3 years now you can clearly watch him "react" to cycles. He only responds to plays. At no point do you see him cheat into a play before it happens and come out a positive. He merely chases the puck around the rink. That is fact
The "everyone looked bad" is merely an excuse. "Everyone looked bad" to start the season also, but Nurse was at the forefront. Screening goalies and completely lost on where to go. The team had a massive turn around, and while Ek/Bouch became one of the most dominant pairs in the NHL, Nurse still racks up more mediocre games than dominant ones
I laugh out loud when I see ppl give him credit a few years back for playing a ton of minutes in the playoffs as if it's some barometer to good play. I also LOL at anyone who suggests he was instrumental in this years big turnaround. Playing impressive hockey 1 outta every 10 games is not reason for praise
Countless media personalities have blasted him for a poor season, so why do ppl keep giving him the benefit for the big win streak. He was nowhere near the reson the team turned it around. Infact, I would say Ceci not dumping it every second play was more impactful than Nurse out there
Don't get me wrong, I can think of a habdful of games where Nurse was exceptional this year, Those games are far and few between tho