I mean, as it stands, it's losing OT games. They just make a huge difference. If you're on the other end of those games it's hard to win a series, especially against great teams.
Looking back, this team seems to have a hard time in the playoffs against other strong teams. This year they're down 3-0 to the Rangers. The Rangers also beat them in 2022, though that was a seven game series. FLA swept them last year. Tampa beat them in five en route to a second straight Cup. When Bergeron and Krejci were still around, the Bruins beat them quickly in 2019 and 2020.
I think losing to Boston was expected. The Canes weren't yet at the level they've been the last few years and the Bruins were top of the League.
Tampa had the best team in the League, and nobody was able to beat them.
Against the Panthers they obviously couldn't score, it was such a tight series and that's were their injuries kind of hurt. Svechnikov out and Pacioretty who was brought in to help them score more down the stretch didn't work out. They really needed a Guentzel type addition last year, but did hardly anything. Some bad luck as the Svech injury happened after the deadline.
I give them a "pass" for those series' to be honest, as in I don't think they choked or anything. Winnable games but I didn't like their chances to win 4 in any of them.
But then there's the Rangers. Absolutely should win at least 1 of the 2, especially the previous time they played. Rangers just kind of have their number, as the combination of Shesterkin, special teams and MSG is poison to the Canes. But that's no excuse.
Right now I think the lack of a 2C is a huge problem. When Kuzy's been scoring you see the difference it makes, but he's just not that good anymore. KK doesn't have what it takes and Drury is still developing.
Aho is a bonafide 1C, but he's no superstar. A guy like that needs more support.