Home Loss Problems

[RomanKing]

The home loss problem did not start this season. It started with Edmonton in last year‘s playoffs. The team needs to look inward and exercise their mental problem as a team that started midway through game three at home against Edmonton.

 

[XPantericA]

Someone get this poster a position in the organization.

 

[DoubleMinor]

The home loss problem did not start this season. It started with Edmonton in last year‘s playoffs. The team needs to look inward and exercise their mental problem as a team that started midway through game three at home against Edmonton.

I think this is accurate. I have long believed that this team suffers from a lack of mental toughness and we saw it glaringly in the playoff series last year.
While people were almost singularly focused on Hiller and coaching mistakes the more obvious reason was this team just played afraid. Each misstep made the situation worse, and the team developed a crisis of confidence.
We still see it this year. And we have seen it recently. The team gets tentative with a lead, starts flipping the puck out, they don’t handle the pressure and get hemmed in, and it’s a matter of time before the lead evaporates.

I don’t know what changes this. But it’s impossible to ignore.

 

[Dexter]

Maybe they just hate playing in front of quiet fans!?

 

[ICE24]

I hear the food on the road is much better than at home. It's something.

 

[SirJW]

Maybe they just hate playing in front of quiet fans!?

Maybe they need something to cheer for?

 

[DryKing]

I think this is accurate. I have long believed that this team suffers from a lack of mental toughness and we saw it glaringly in the playoff series last year.
While people were almost singularly focused on Hiller and coaching mistakes the more obvious reason was this team just played afraid. Each misstep made the situation worse, and the team developed a crisis of confidence.
We still see it this year. And we have seen it recently. The team gets tentative with a lead, starts flipping the puck out, they don’t handle the pressure and get hemmed in, and it’s a matter of time before the lead evaporates.

I don’t know what changes this. But it’s impossible to ignore.

It's the playing for points vs playing to win mentality which has been embedded into the Organization. Playing for points is great, but it falls apart come playoff time.

In regards to home wins, or lack thereof, it really comes down (among multiple things) to discipline and mental strength. When players on the road they have more time to focus, but when at home they have family/friends and other things that take away from the focus on hockey. In essence, it comes down to being there for a paycheck vs really giving it all to ensure the team/organization wins. My guess is this problem only gets worse until we get a gamer like Brown/Greene/Williams taking on ice ownership of the team.

Coaching is still a huge issue, though, which also cannot be ignored.

 

[RomanKing]

It's the playing for points vs playing to win mentality which has been embedded into the Organization. Playing for points is great, but it falls apart come playoff time.

In regards to home wins, or lack thereof, it really comes down (among multiple things) to discipline and mental strength. When players on the road they have more time to focus, but when at home they have family/friends and other things that take away from the focus on hockey. In essence, it comes down to being there for a paycheck vs really giving it all to ensure the team/organization wins. My guess is this problem only gets worse until we get a gamer like Brown/Greene/Williams taking on ice ownership of the team.

Coaching is still a huge issue, though, which also cannot be ignored.

I think Kempe and Doughty do that. Love Kopitar for his great years! As the captain, he needs to be a serious mental enforcer for his team. Vocalizing with confidence on the ice for his team’s behalf. from here on out Greene on the bench will help the back end in that respect.

 

[jom]

Maybe they need something to cheer for?

I think they need something to keep them awake.

jom

 

[DryKing]

I think Kempe and Doughty do that. Love Kopitar for his great years! As the captain, he needs to be a serious mental enforcer for his team. Vocalizing with confidence on the ice for his team’s behalf. from here on out Greene on the bench will help the back end in that respect.

Agreed that adding Greene to the bench is a huge boon, I hope he sticks around. Doughty, however, has always put himself first, has called out teammates while he himself was doing the same thing he called them out for, and doesn't have the true qualities of an effective leader in my opinion.

Kopi is great, and leads by example, but clearly can't do it alone.

Hoping we see Kempe as Captain next season as I agree with you, he brings the passion. The addition of Panarin helps as well, but the teams still needs more players to step up.

 

[JC6388LAKings]

Agreed that adding Greene to the bench is a huge boon, I hope he sticks around. Doughty, however, has always put himself first, has called out teammates while he himself was doing the same thing he called them out for, and doesn't have the true qualities of an effective leader in my opinion.

Kopi is great, and leads by example, but clearly can't do it alone.

Hoping we see Kempe as Captain next season as I agree with you, he brings the passion. The addition of Panarin helps as well, but the teams still needs more players to step up.

I beg to differ about him "leading by example." He's not a leader the way Brown is, he's more like Henrik Sedin in terms of leadership style. Kopi himself is a great player but not a great captain objectively speaking, especially not one who inspires team confidence mentally.