06/15/2026
Good for thought
Crushing! 3rd time the Cup was delivered on this sheet of ice, and 2nd time to the wrong team.
In a season filled with ups and downs, getting to the Final was not expected. Had top level talent, but the team just didn't look ready for a run after the Olympic break. Then, the big jolt: coaching change! Massive shocker! I was in the camp that I thought it would happen, AFTER the season. But with two weeks left?
If you listened to Cassidy's press conferences, over and over again he would say: "We went over that, but I guess we'll have to go over it again." "That's our job as coaches, and we'll just have to show them again." "We need to do a better job as coaches." There was even a video session between the 2nd and 3rd period one game. A rarity. Cassidy lost the team. Tortorella's more enthusiastic voice was a shot in the arm, and the team responded.
You can argue that the schedule wasn't brutal down the stretch, but they did play up to their potential. The Utah series was a slog. Against Anaheim, VGK was not the better team during the first two games. Then, the switch flipped. They had smoked duck, and more impressively, obliterated the Avalanche (who did have their injuries).
Games 2 and 4 of the Final were a post and crossbar away from winnable. Losing the Final hurts and I didn't play a shift. I will throw this out there: I'm not sure VGK should bring Tortorella back. There has to be a young-gun stud (think what NFL teams are doing), who can relate to the players (what is needed now) and get the most out of them. The mixing of the lines, before Wild Bill's departure in Game 5 sends a message that VGK HAD to do something different. I disagree. We were a post, crossbar and 1/2 second away from sweeping the series. The top scoring line was broken up. I don't think you change, we were the better team thru 4 games. Sends a sign of over coaching.
In the end, Carolina got the bounces and took advantage. Can't wait for chapter 10 of Vegas vs. Everyone. It's always a helluva ride.
