Oh, and Duh…

Dan Bylsma has helped to create a Penguins team with an identity. He's been given good players, but it's his job to put players in the right roles. He and his staff continue to work to get the most from all their players.

So when I talk about identity and about the players, I don't say any of it to dismiss the Head Coach's role in all of this. Without strong coaching and leadership, the team doesn't know its identity and the players can't execute well if they're placed in the wrong roles.

So the Coach has done a good job. In case it needs to be said. I'd prefer that the Coach, like he encourages his team and even his All-Star players to do, continues to improve himself. (And, yes, I'm nitpicking, but maintaining emotional control on the bench with bad calls might help his more emotional players learn to do the same. And, of course, getting his superstars not to try to do too much.)

But just to state the obvious: Without solid coaching, the team isn't able to respond with "We know who we are" and players aren't able to excel in roles that are designed for them.