Whether you agree or disagree with his strategies, Washington Capitals head coach Dale Hunter has his team buying in. The Caps bounced back nicely from what could have been a crushing triple-OT loss in Game 3 to win Game 4, but faces another tough motivational challenge after Game 5’s stunning 3-2 OT defeat.
Hunter’s solution to Stephen Whyno and others essentially follows the “K.I.S.S.” strategy,* then.
“It’s a game of hockey,” Hunter said. “It’s another game on Wednesday. It’s just hockey. Don’t over-analyze it. It’s just playing hockey.”
Joel Ward and others might lose some sleep tonight after that dizzying defeat. Braden Holtby’s comments might persuade some to believe that the Capitals’ shot-blocking system lends itself to a few weaknesses.
Hunter’s response might be more complicated behind closed doors, but then again, he might just say the same basic thing: shut up and play. And he might be right.
* That would be “Keep It Simple, Stupid.”