Claude Julien, Boston Bruins -- Chris Drury was asked how the Rangers could win Game 6 (they didn't) of their first-round series against the Capitals with their coach suspended, their agitator, Sean Avery, benched and Drury playing with one good arm. He replied it wasn't about people -- victory stemmed from successfully executing the coach's system.
That's buying in.
That's what the Boston Bruins have done in their two years under Claude Julien's system. The Bruins, a collection of mostly imported players from other teams, could look at the combined accomplishments of the players in the dressing room, and Julien's 119-86-33 record as an NHL coach for three seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils, and easily determine which was better.
They bought in. There may be no more important reason for the Bruins’ success this season than their faith in their coach's system. It's a mantra with them: "If we play within our system, good things will happen."
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Todd McLellan, San Jose Sharks -- In General Manager Doug Wilson's first four seasons, with Ron Wilson as coach, the Sharks won two division titles and finished second twice and went to the conference final in the first season. But they couldn't get past the second round the next three years. Wilson was replaced by Todd McLellan, who had won the 2008 Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Red Wings.
McLellan is an extremely dedicated, hard-working student and teacher of hockey with an ability to make people feel good about themselves. The latter was cited as one of the criteria for the new coach. McLellan was also seen as an expert on special-teams play.
That proved true. San Jose had its best power-play in five years, 24.2 percent effective, and finished fifth with 83.3 percent effectiveness on the penalty kill. They were nine points better than a year ago.
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Andy Murray, St. Louis Blues -- The Blues were swept in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Vancouver Canucks and walked off the ice to a standing ovation. That's rare and a tribute to the acumen of the St. Louis fans, who this season watch a team that wasn't expected to do much, and then was expected to do even less after the long-term injuries to Paul Kariya, Erik Johnson, T.J. Oshie, Eric Brewer and Andy McDonald, get up off the floor and produce the best second-half record in the league.
Former Nashville goalie Chris Mason went 27-21-7 with a 2.41 goals-against average, tied for ninth in the NHL, and provided the reliable goaltending the team needed. Brad Boyes again led the team with 33 goals and 72 points while David Backes cracked the 30-goal mark in his third season with 31. David Perron nearly doubled his points total to 50 in his sophomore season and Patrik Berglund and Oshie had excellent rookie seasons.
Trade acquisitions Alexander Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo picked up their games for Murray. Keith Tkachuk had 25 goals.
Murray's best work may have been with the defense, where only one player, Barret Jackman, played all 82 games. No other defenseman wore the Blues sweater for more than 69 games. Jeff Woywitka was plus-8, as was rookie Tyson Strachan in 30 games.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=421006
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