I remember how fans were all cheering Tocchet's resolve to hold ANY player to task. "He benched Miller". See any player!!!.
Well maybe not an eleven million dollar player who is getting out played by most of the team in the playoffs.
If Tocchet doesn't want to disrupt the two lines that are working by putting EP on one of them then sit him this game.
This is the one to do it, not last and there is a chance that it could have a few results, more rest for Petey, time to watch from up high, certainly embarrassment that might stir up a reaction or life and in the next game (6) maybe Demko comes back as well.
EP looks like a robot on the bench, dazed and confused. Like he is a rookie that has less than a season under his belt. (I still think it is post concussion syndrome). No speed, delayed decision making, late passes, hand eye coordination off. Now wearing a baseball hat for light sensitivity maybe. I have no doubt he is sincere about what he said but that is the thing with PCS, you don't know, don't think of it unless he has headaches. More the stress the more the symptoms emerge.
There has been a saying around for eons, addition by subtraction.
The team has 3rd line centers they don't need EP trying to become a grunt, energy player, 4th liner.
I have no idea what Tocchet has tried, comforting him, trying to give him (unearned) trust, teaching, showing but has he tried yelling at him? Are coaches even allowed to do that anymore? Maybe that does leave only sitting him out and bringing in an untried rookie, Podkolin does have NHL experience and has a history of playoff performing. Right now he is faster, more solid on his skates, hits harder and has scored at NHL levels.
Petey has a problem, Tocchet cannot be worried about "losing" him because Petey has already lost himself. They want to win then ice the best line up. No politics, forget salaries or next year. The day has come to separate the men from the boys. Face it Petey is just not there, certainly not the Petey from the covid year 18 points in 17 games play in/offs.
Tocchet said "show me", "players earn their time", "I don't care who they are", "I will bench anyone"
All that going down the crapper because he isn't doing that now.
Miller must feel special that he got benched and was used as the "example", the only big name player, especially with how bad EP is right now. The other one got traded. Kuz.
Miller looked pissed, finally. There is going to be a big black and blue bruise on someone.
Zadorov or maybe even Myers have to take care of Kane. IMO Kane should have been ejected, Soucy got a suspension and didn't draw blood. Who cares about the scoring, he would not have been there for the other goals.
I think the Canucks really rebound and have the best game of the playoffs. See they have me hoping too.
