Tonight’s game between the #3 New Jersey Devils and #1 Boston Bruins begs the question:

Who is the better coach, Claude Julien or Brent Sutter?

Without a doubt, both are great hockey coaches and know how to win. But if I were to make a pick, I would pick Brent Sutter.

Why?

Since his tenure as coach of the New Jersey Devils, Sutter has given the New Jersey Devils franchise a new identity and not playing the same old trap. The Devils do not wait for opposition mistakes, they attack and create them. Under his leadership, the team has become a multi-dimensional weapon that can beat you in many different ways and have adapted to the new NHL style after the lockout. This proactive approach has gotten the Devils close to the top of the Eastern Conference, even without Martin Brodeur.

When Julien was the Devils coach, it was a “1-2-2 trap only” team and was very predictable. Yes, he did have some success in New Jersey but it clearly was not his team to coach. With Sutter, he has full control of the locker room with his no-nonsense intense style and he’ll mix and match the lines or pairings to his liking. He doesn’t care if it is an unpopular decision or the feelings he hurts. Moreover, Sutter is the leader that Lou Lamoriello was looking for to guide his team.

Tonight maybe a preview of what’s to come in the playoffs.

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