People need to think of this way, why do NHL players actually need practices? Why for instance do NHL goalies who are struggling find practices helpful, if not essential, to reset their games?
Presumably because it allows them to breakdown the problems and fix issues in a way they can’t while playing. It’s easy for us to say that they need to adjust the PK in games, but it’s the difference in trying to do something in say in a parked car and trying to do it driving 95 mph on a busy highway with several crying babies in the car. The mental stress is very high in games, it’s asking lot for them to improve while they face top power play units.
I’m no Nasreddine fan, I’m still cranky he managed to somehow survive the culling. That said, the special teams units lost key guys, has some rookies and this a completely unprecedented situation in terms of pre-season and the schedule. And still can’t believe how bonkers this compressed schedule is and how the NHL is just pretending this is reasonable thing.