What the Puck: Canadiens have neither defence nor toughness for playoffs
But run-and-gun hockey isn’t what the playoffs are about. In fact they’re not about that at all. Of course you need skill to advance in the post-season, but that has to be backed by tough strong defence, grit up and down the lineup and toughness. By toughness, I don’t mean a team full of Chris Nilans. It’s not about fighting. It’s about being able to throw hard bodychecks, being able to handle hard bodychecks (hello Kirby Dach!), and being able to muscle opposing players off the puck. You win the battle of the boards with passion and force, not skill.
