Team must play 60 full minutes
In the Predators’ ugly start to the season, one of the most aggravating aspects of the team was their inability to play a complete game. On many nights, they would put themselves in a two or three-goal hole, only to claw their way back and come up just short.
Of course, the failure to play 60 minutes became much less of an issue as the regular season went on, but would resurface from time to time.
Most notably, it happened in the team’s 4-3 overtime win in Columbus on May 3, and in the game in Chicago on April 21st that we do not like to talk about around here.
This theme partially reappeared in the playoffs as well, as the Predators were unable to hang onto third period leads in Games 3, 5, and 6. It was especially noticeable in Game 6, as the Predators had jumped out to a two-goal lead but seemed to sit on it until the Hurricanes tied it in the third. Even more frustratingly, they seemed to turn it on again immediately upon surrendering the goal.
Whether the Predators are ahead early in games or behind, they oftentimes seem to be unable to turn in quality performances throughout contests. If Hynes wants to take the next step as a head coach, that will be an area he has to fix.