The challenge is that the grind starts early. For teams in the race, it can feel like playoff hockey a month or more before the postseason even begins. That puts added pressure on coaching staffs to manage energy levels. Rest and recovery start to matter just as much if not more than systems and structure.
The Olympic break adds another layer to that. Players who didn’t participate often come back refreshed, while those who did may already be feeling the wear and tear of a long season. At this point, some guys feel like they’re already deep into Game 70 or beyond, so managing minutes and practice time becomes critical.
There’s also just not much time to practice. With games coming every other night, teams lean more on video…