Tremendous Coaching Job from Andrew Brunette
This season could've gone south real fast after the 9-2 beatdown to the Dallas Stars right before the point streak began. Truth is, if the Predators missed the playoffs in 2024, no one would have really batted an eye. The primary objective was seeing growth and improvement from the younger players and building something for the future.
Then the 18-game point streak happened, and fans and analysts alike suddenly changed their tune and realize this team actually has a unique balance of raw talent and veteran leadership.
Brunette managed this team so effectively as the head coach, and not just because of the cancelled U2 concert in Las Vegas. He held his players accountable. Earlier in the season he wasn't afraid to make unpopular healthy scratches to send a message or to give a younger player time to reset before their confidence was shattered.
#Preds are going back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs! They rally to get this to OT against #GoJetsGo in 3rd period.
— Chad Minton (@chad_minton) April 10, 2024
Just a tremendous job by Andrew Brunette guiding this new team so quick, and Barry Trotz making the key additions in free agency and trades.
However, once the chemistry started being built past the midway point of the season, Brunette was careful not to mess with the line combinations too much. He identified his top line of Ryan O'Reilly, Filip Forsberg and Gus Nyquist very early on and wisely never went away from it.
Nashville's top line has the second-most minutes together in the NHL this season, only trailing the New Yorks Rangers' top line of Vincent Trocheck, Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafrenire. Nearly 750 minutes of time on ice together for Nashville's top line, and that will be so valuable heading into the playoffs.
Brunette also usually keeps his poise throughout a game, even when an awful call goes his way. Sure, isn't shy about voicing his displeasure, but his calm collectiveness in pressure situations resonates with the players.
Finally, I've really appreciated Brunette's honesty when evaluating players and the game performances. If the team played awful or showed really bad effort, he wasn't going to sugarcoat anything. Players respond to a head coach who holds them accountable.
All I know is the New Jersey Devils, who went through a head coaching change this season and are the NHL's most disappointing team of 2023-24, are kicking themselves for not making Brunette their head coach when they had the chance.