Avalanche strong play away from puck vital against Lightning in Cup Final
Thompson says Colorado's success at even strength has been key in playoffs
by Rocky Thompson / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2021-22 season by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight.
In this edition, Thompson, who was an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014-15 and an associate coach with the San Jose Sharks in 2020-21, looks at what the Colorado Avalanche did so well in their sweep of the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final and what challenges they're going to present to the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final.
Lightning look to continue winning more battles than Rangers in Game 5
Barr says top players set tone for Tampa Bay to even Eastern Final
by Dave Barr / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight. Thompson's focus will be on the Western Conference; Barr will handle the Eastern Conference.
In this edition, Barr, a former assistant with the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks, discusses reasons why the Tampa Bay Lightning evened the Eastern Conference Final by winning Games 3 and 4 at Amalie Arena, and puts a target on some things to watch in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
Avalanche puck possession key to slowing down McDavid, Draisaitl
Colorado defense has speed to keep up with Edmonton's dynamic duo
by Rocky Thompson / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2021-22 season by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight.
In this edition, Thompson, who was an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014-15 and an associate coach with the San Jose Sharks in 2020-21, takes an advance look at the Western Conference Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers.
Goaltending takes spotlight in Eastern Conference Second Round
Barr weighs in on Bobrovsky vs. Vasilevksiy, Shesterkin vs. Raanta
by Dave Barr / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2021-22 Stanley Cup Playoffs by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight. Thompson's focus will be on the Western Conference, Barr will handle the Eastern Conference.
In this edition, Barr, a former assistant with the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks, breaks down what to look for in the Eastern Conference Second Round matchups between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes.
Avalanche ahead of curve with first-round sweep of Predators
Rest will prove advantageous before series against Blues
by Rocky Thompson / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2021-22 season by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight.
In this edition, Thompson, an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014-15 and an associate coach with the San Jose Sharks in 2020-21, takes a closer look at how the Colorado Avalanche swept through the Western Conference First Round and how that will help them going forward.
Coaches know teams can't dwell on regular-season results in playoffs
Barr says Rangers, Penguins, Capitals, Panthers must focus on present, not past
by Dave Barr / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight. Thompson's focus will be on the Western Conference, Barr will handle the Eastern Conference.
Focus on final week of season crucial before start of playoffs
Preparations for next game, subtle adjustments part of transition to first round
by Rocky Thompson / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2021-22 season by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight.
In this edition, Thompson, who was an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014-15 and an associate with the San Jose Sharks in 2020-21, takes a closer look at how NHL coaches are likely to be preparing for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which begin Monday.
NHL coaches debate rest vs. rust heading into Stanley Cup Playoffs
How much to play top players with postseason spot set a tough question to answer
by Dave Barr / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2021-22 season by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight.
In this week's edition, Dave Barr, former assistant with the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks, discusses the challenges facing coaches of teams that already have clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with more than two weeks still to play in the regular season.
Wild showing character, will to win on road to Stanley Cup Playoffs
Ability to rally late, score at 6-on-5 beyond luck, Thompson says
by Rocky Thompson / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2021-22 season by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight.
In this edition, Thompson, who was an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014-15 and an associate with the San Jose Sharks in 2020-21, takes a closer look at how the Minnesota Wild are building their game for the final weeks of the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Trade Deadline needs for Panthers, Maple Leafs, Avalanche, Stars
Defensemen, versatility among key areas approaching 3 p.m. ET on Monday
by Dave Barr / Special to NHL.com
The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2021-22 season by former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Rocky Thompson and Dave Barr will take turns providing insight.
In this edition, Barr, former assistant with the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks, picks four teams, two from the Eastern Conference and two from the Western Conference, and analyzes areas they need to address before the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET on Monday.