Great response.My initial guess is that it's the growing pains of having to deal with increased expectations of management, coaching, the fans, and even themselves.
They want to play meaningful games and know that these games right here and now determines if they do and so are afraid to make mistakes which just leads to playing tentative hockey.
Coaching certainly has a part to play in helping deal with those nerves but it's just one of many factors at play.
So, based on that - wouldn't the solution be as simple as to call the guys together and say something to take the pressure off? Hell, use the Laine injury as a scapegoat even. Due to the key injuries we've suffered as a team this far, this isn't our year. So let's gonout there and have fun, do our best and come back stronger next year. Something like that?!
I think you're bang on about the mounting pressure from everywhere causing them to overthink everything. You see it every time Xhekaj is on the ice. Hesitation. Make the hit!? Don't!? Too late, the play has moved on. Just an example. There are many!
We can see mounting frustration too. It's going to boil over soon.
I want to see the front office bring in assistant coaches and start installing a proper system into these guys, because these Smarty concepts are not working.