1) There is no mystery. Bednar's system has his defenders pinch down. Makar routinely skates the puck around the offensive net. This means there is almost always a stretch pass available for Vegas. It has been plain as day, all season, that the Avs are susceptible to a stretch pass right up the middle.
2) Bednar goes way out of his way to discourage hitting. On paper, it makes sense, because our speed should win when players lose discipline with their big checks. But that is on paper, and the game is played on ice. This is not just about the fatigue which absolutely happens when a player gets hit over and over again. This is also about passing accuracy. If Mac sees a crunch coming, he moves the puck before he wants to, or he unsuccessfully tries to skate through it. Conversely, the Avs rarely go for the hit, and Vegas knows they have that split second extra to make a decision.
The Avs don't need to practice. They don't need to skate. They need to go to the video room, and watch what Vegas is doing, and find a new strategy. Bednar's current strategy is going to lead to a second round exit.
