Completely agree on the Kopitar/Bergeron battle. You'd assume the fact the Bruins failed to qualify for the playoffs gives Kopi an inherent advantage this time around. In terms of Karlsson vs. Doughty, if Doughty doesn't take home the Norris this year the NHL selection committee should be shipped off to Siberia permanently. The NHL's obsession with purely offensive defenseman needs to stop. I'd bet heavy, heavy money on Doughty taking home the Norris this time around. Also helps the Senators didn't qualify for the playoffs. And frankly, I'm not even particularly worried about it either. Doughty will win the Norris. This ones pretty straight forward in my book.
- Woodysdemise

The Norris trophy candidates/winner are selected by the media. If, like the Vezina, they were selected by the GMs, Doughty would likely be winning his 2nd or 3rd Norris Trophy this June.

If we're being realistic here, the constant failures and meltdowns of the Ducks can be attributed solely to the players themselves and not the coach. Last time I checked, Bruce Boudreau isn't capable of jogging let alone strapping the skates on and skating around on the ice to have any real impact on the games of his own doing. He's purely a scapegoat for the chronic under performing core of the Ducks organization (Perry, Getzlaf etc) when it's mattered most.
- Woodysdemise

I think you undermine the importance of in-game coaching (right players on at the right time, match-ups, etc.). BB seem to always lean on his star players at the most inopportune time in a game. It's like he's not even watching his 3rd or 4th line. He's not watching the flow of the game.

Calling out his players publicly was a desperate move. If you look back in history, coaches calling out their players publicly seldom come back for another season. It's a sign he lost the room.

His flip/flop of goalies in mid-series is such a bad move. Again, history of doing it has not been good and it sends the wrong message.

Last night was not a coaching error, they just ran into a wall of Predators

The low, medium and high danger save percentages are really eye-opening. It would be interesting to know how many of those low and medium danger goals involved deflections or screens (probably a lot).

I think you undermine the importance of in-game coaching (right players on at the right time, match-ups, etc.). BB seem to always lean on his star players at the most inopportune time in a game. It's like he's not even watching his 3rd or 4th line. He's not watching the flow of the game.

Calling out his players publicly was a desperate move. If you look back in history, coaches calling out their players publicly seldom come back for another season. It's a sign he lost the room.

His flip/flop of goalies in mid-series is such a bad move. Again, history of doing it has not been good and it sends the wrong message.

Last night was not a coaching error, they just ran into a wall of Predators
- puckhog

I actually thought the goaltending change was the best decision he made in the series. The mistake was starting Gibson in the first place. Andersen didn't allow more than 2 goals against in any of the 5 games that he played. Gibson didn't allow fewer than 3 in either of his games.

Give Quick the Norris and Vezina since he was our defense this year.

The low, medium and high danger save percentages are really eye-opening. It would be interesting to know how many of those low and medium danger goals involved deflections or screens (probably a lot).
- responsible_D

I believe that low danger shots which are either tipped in front or deal with heavy traffic are lumped into high danger. I want to say something like three or more players

I actually thought the goaltending change was the best decision he made in the series. The mistake was starting Gibson in the first place. Andersen didn't allow more than 2 goals against in any of the 5 games that he played. Gibson didn't allow fewer than 3 in either of his games.
- tkecanuck341

I'm really curious to see what they do with those two goalies. If it were my id trade Gibson. Andersen has done everything to try to get that team wins when it matters most. Gibson just takes his opportunities and throws them out the window.

Nope, not gonna happen. No Norris for Doughty
- gravyboy33

Perhaps if Kris Letang could remain healthy for more than a couple months at a time, he'd be taking it home. Alas, this is a scenario that will never take place. (Which is a shame because he's a phenomenal player). But yes, Doughty will win. I'll happily eat crow if it fails to materialize, and I expect you to come back and eat yours when it does.

I think you undermine the importance of in-game coaching (right players on at the right time, match-ups, etc.). BB seem to always lean on his star players at the most inopportune time in a game. It's like he's not even watching his 3rd or 4th line. He's not watching the flow of the game.

Calling out his players publicly was a desperate move. If you look back in history, coaches calling out their players publicly seldom come back for another season. It's a sign he lost the room.

His flip/flop of goalies in mid-series is such a bad move. Again, history of doing it has not been good and it sends the wrong message.

Last night was not a coaching error, they just ran into a wall of Predators
- puckhog

No, I agree mostly with what you've said here. The coach clearly does has an impact on his team. I view coaches mostly through the lens of "do no harm". In other words, coaches as far as I'm concerned should only be counted on to not ruin a series. I think way too much emphasis is put on coaches "winning" series. Players have to have both the capability and desire to implement the system and make it happen. Systems aren't all that drastically different from one another in the year 2016 in the NHL. At least not enough to be the primary reason for series losses. Can little tweaks make a huge difference in a close series? Yeah, I'd be the first to admit that. But I think it tends to get blown way out of proportion. You either have the horses or you don't at some point. Unless you have a really, really bad coach. In which case, it would potentially become a major factor. I guess I'm just not entirely convinced BB is THAT terrible.