Having slept off the initial wave of anger, I still feel doom and gloom.
Last year was a worse loss in the objective sense - that team should've won a cup and their coach got in the way. If they got by Florida, they're easily in the finals and I think they beat Vegas if healthy. This team is getting tombstoned by Florida even if they win Saturday.
This year though leaves me feeling completely different, and in some senses it's more despicable. Last year had a lot of copes - Bergeron/Krejci hurt, flu bug, Ullmark's injury, and Monty being Monty. All of that swung the other way this year. Nylander is playing hurt, Matthews out for the series, Leafs on a backup goalie. And we can't take advantage?
The prevailing mood from Saturday to Tuesday was how after last year's experience, we knew there was no way they were going to let it happen again. But they f***ing did. I can't believe this group did it f***ing again.
They're mentally weak, taking after their coach, and with a leadership vacuum on the bench. Marchand is not inspiring them, but I'm most disappointed in McAvoy, who turns into a pumpkin every April and May. Lindholm also looks rudderless. They miss Chara's stability and leadership greatly.
A stronger coach than Monty would still have this team up and ready to play. If Chara and Lucic were in the room, the boys would be going to war despite the coach. I think it's not impossible that this season went off the rails a round or two earlier than it otherwise would've because Lucic had one beer too many at Thanksgiving.
I still trust Sweeney somehow, he seems to do the best he can with the limited resources he has, but Monty and Neely have to go.