Ken Hitchcock is being 100% honest about his coaching mindset entering the final five minutes of a tied game: Don’t go all out for the win and try to get the extra point first.
The St. Louis Blues coach spoke to the Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont, admitting he doesn’t think about winning during a tied game, late.
“I like when you are playing all out, all the way,” offered Hitchcock. “But I’ve got to tell you as a coach, if there’s five minutes left in the game, and it’s tied, I’m not necessarily thinking about winning it. I want at least a point. A lot of coaches think like that. We have to think like that. Because to get zero points in a tie game with 10 minutes left is devastating.”
As silly as it sounds to not be actively trying to win games late, I understand Hitchcock’s mindset. Getting a single point is extremely important, so if you have the chance to get it by playing safe late, it’s a wise long-term strategy. Personally, I’d rather my team go for two – especially against a division rival who could potentially get a point as well – but, points are hard to come by. Skating it out can work.
Lets get rid of the loser point and make winning the overall priority. Otherwise, coaches have little incentive late in games to go for it. Hitchcock’s doing what he can to qualify for the postseason.
