The NHL playoffs have been a hard-fought competition since the beginning. The grind on the player’s body is immense but the mental part of the long season and playoffs can be even more brutal.
The combination of pain and fatigue will wear down any human being but the added pressure to play at this level every other night after playing an 82-game season is only for warriors.
The Carolina Hurricanes are just 8 wins away from the promised land and hoisting that beautiful Stanley Cup.
As the Canes get set to host the Florida Panthers for a chance to play in the Stanley Cup Finals, the mentality of this team has to be addressed by the coaching staff in the preparations.