Does It Always Boils Down To Determination and Relentless Pursuit?

Mike Babcock coaches the Detroit Red Wings - the opponent of the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals of the NHL, remarked about what it will take to win this series: “We’ll be prepared, but in the end it’s going to be will and determination and being relentless.”

Is that always the case?

No. But when you get down to the final 4 teams it may be true. Talented players make the difference. Barry Switzer always said that better players win games, not coaches. Arrogant coaches will tell you different, but having coached a bit at the amateur level - I can tell you Barry has it right. Good talent can be poorly coached, and the talent can win (I’m proof). Good talent with average coaching will beat average talent with good coaching most of the time.

Babcock is right I think. Four teams are left in the NHL playoffs: Pittsburg Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars. Any one of them can win the Stanley Cup. Each of them are at the half-way point of the journey having defeated two teams each. Sixteen teams started the quest. Four remain. It almost always boils down to a test of wills. Grit, determination, tenacity and relentless pursuit will all play a major role in whoever hoists the Cup.

Living in Dallas - I’m hoping the tenacity of the Stars runs deep.