It's impossible to measure the impact of a coach on a hockey team.
But the final days of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final will be a trial by fire for Mike Babcock.
Many believe the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings is the NHL's best.
Or is he simply the coach with the best team? Given the wealth of talent on the roster, couldn't another guy do just as well? Who knows?
What we do know is that Thursday's game in Pittsburgh might have been Detroit's worst of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And the one before that was no Red Wings classic either.
For long stretches of both games, the team looked tired and discombobulated.
Equally troubling is the fact that Detroit took control early on both nights, but couldn't finish the job.
The situation isn't dire. Until they lose at home, the Red Wings remain the clear favorite to win the Stanley Cup.
But a team that rarely finds trouble has suddenly found it, playing out of character at the worst possible time.
We've seen that when the Red Wings are on their game, they will beat Pittsburgh.
Getting them on their game is where the coach comes in, and doing it under less than ideal circumstances should be what sets elite coaches above the pack.
The NHL season is down to a best-of-three. The Stanley Cup is on the line.
So is Mike Babcock's reputation.
(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Comments
Oh please. His reputation is not on the line. Nobody can win it every year, and in case you haven’t noticed Babcock has a phenomenal record both regular season and playoffs in Detroit.
“Many believe the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings is the NHL’s best.
Or is he simply the coach with the best team?”
Those aren’t mutually exclusive.
“playing out of character at the worst possible time.”
Actually, the exact problem is that last night’s type of game is very much in character for them this season.
I am a Pens season ticket holder and I do not believe Babcock has anything to prove. He is an excellent and articulate coach.
Go Pens!
Fire Mike Babcock !
He is mellow, slow, always happy making happy face for the wrong occasion. Wings keep loosing. And today they lost again 5:4 to Phoenix. They lost 4:2 lead within couple of minutes.
They’re losing games because they come out flat, continue unfocused and finish uninspired.
It is time to wake up and do something with the sleepy team. They make millions for no effort.