The sports psychology aspect is one area I believe really cost the Bruins.
I know the Blues responded to losses very well, especially Binnington; but it seemed the B's had a tough time playing consecutive strong games. And that was more mental than physical. We all know how defeated the whole team was after Marchand's blunder led to the second goal, despite there still being 40 minutes to play.
I recall Patrice Bergeron's interview after the second period of Game 7 in Vancouver. Despite the B's having a comfortable lead, when asked to assess the team's play, the first words out of his mouth were "It's not good enough." There was a focus and fire in his eyes that I didn't see in the team in this year's Game 7.
I get it - the guys all have families now and are fabulously wealthy. Their mindset is different.
And I agree wholeheartedly masculinity has changed; and of course many of the changes are for the better. But am I totally on board with the 'kinder, gentler' game?
Frankly, no.
I know many thought they were cute, but I loathed the Carolina Hurricane's post-game celebrations and couldn't even fathom what would've happened had they done that in previous eras.
It's like rock and roll; I liked it a lot better when the bands were trying to get laid and doing drugs, and not trying to save the world.
I do wish the B's had at least some push-back to the Blues' old-school masculine toughness, and not just the borderline/cheap shots. Maroon skating by the B's bench saying "You guys are ******," in Boston no less, Bortuzzo going after Acciari after a face-off in the dying seconds of Game Six, Schenn trying to blow up Bergeron, etc.