Special DElivery: Playoff sacrifices have never been more important

By Darren Eliot –

Much has gone into a playoff season that has surprised many. Certainly, parity has played a part in early round exits of top seeds, where the “work harder/give more” mantra is enough to make a difference. The Western Conference is evidence of that, as both coaches, Dave Tippet in Phoenix and Darryl Sutter in L.A., have long subscribed to that coaching credo. Same in the East with John Tortorella’s Rangers and Dale Hunter’s Capitals set for a Game 7 Saturday because both men have their respective teams sacrificing everything physically to an utterly jaw-dropping degree.

Playoff hockey has always been more demanding physically. Never, however, has the game seen success tied so closely to shot-blocking, heavy-hitting and more shot-blocking. Hunter’s managing of minutes based on roles tied to game situations has raised eyebrows throughout the playoffs because Alex Ovechkin has not played much when the Capitals have the lead. Well, Game 6 proved that Ovechkin realizes what Hunter wants from all of his players all of the time, as he turned in a complete game – under control and within the team structure. Ovechkin even blocked shots in a defensive posture and not in a blitz of the point man in hopes of having the puck carom off his shin pads leading to a breakaway.

That type of commitment warrants ice time individually and leads to championships collectively. In a rare case of peer acknowledgement, Blackhawks’ Coach Joel Quenneville commented that he can be a better coach – that in watching these playoffs he realizes that he could reward players’ effort with ice-time and not just award it based on salary, status, or past performances. Certainly Hunter’s handling of Ovechkin and Ovechkin’s positive response factored into Coach Q’s reflective assessment. And while blood-and-guts determination has always been held as part of playoff glory, in a capped league – where flawed top teams compete more evenly than ever with bottom teams that have talent – every small-detail sacrifice is crucial. These playoffs are proving adherence from top to bottom is vital.

I know, we don’t like the two days off before Game 7, but given what the players are giving this spring, all can use the extra day to recuperate.