I don’t want to negate that I think St Louis was looking to injure, which they were - the message has been clear to target 55, and 44…
However…
Florida plays the same way. Washington has that element. The Kings cup teams were a bitch to play against for anyone, and primetime Anaheim with Pronger/Niedermayer were the same story.
You hope to avoid teams like this in the playoffs because even if you are to win, you are hobbling away. That was a similar story against Nashville years back for our own Jets.
You’re not going to necessarily beat teams like that at their own game, but Arniel has disappointed me in not ensuring Thomas/Kyrou aren’t feeling the same pain in turn. That’s something you can do, and that sends a stronger message to guys like Faksa, Schenn, or Toropchenko.