Number three: Is David Quinn getting comfortable?
Anytime someone is new to their job, there are going to be growing pains. For David Quinn, his team took five too many men on the ice penalties in the course of a few weeks. That simple mistake is a reflection on the coaching staff because it’s a lack of concentration. The mental aspect of the game is the responsibility of the staff to prepare.
However, as the players on the team have started to find their own grooves, the wins have followed. While early on in the season, there were disorienting starts that were filled with 20 shots against first periods, now, those are whittled down to low danger shots that Lundqvist can save. This approach based on skillset is putting the team in a position to succeed.
Furthermore, his meritocracy based system is starting to catch on with the players. Before Pavel Buchnevich’s unfortunate thumb injury, it was clear that he understood why he was healthy scratched and began to turn in more complete performances. Before being placed on IR, the forward had five points in his last five games.