Dave Hakstol's NHL coaching career is just two games old, and while his expectations aren't high at the moment, it's hard to believe how vastly different his team has looked over those two games.
Hakstol was provided a unique opportunity that most new coaches don't get — the chance to make a strong statement against the defending Eastern Conference champions in his first-ever game. While the team he iced didn't come away with two points — after all, who was expecting to come out of Tampa with a win? — the Flyers managed to take Tampa Bay to 3-on-3 overtime, coming away with just the loser point.
Less than 48 hours later, Hakstol's club looked like they didn't even belong on the same ice as the Florida Panthers — a team that ultimately missed the playoffs last season, despite a strong second half. Four goals allowed in the first 6:46 of play was just the cherry on top for a club that lost possession battles, could not stay out of the penalty box and just looked entirely lost all night.
We all remember what ultimately did the Flyers in last season — consistent inconsistency. A team that would take playoff clubs the distance, but sputter against non-playoff teams. It led to a multitude of frustration amongst players, management and fans, and its apparent carryover into this young season seems to be just as frustrating.
It's been detailed before that Hakstol will be presented with a number of learning opportunities in his first professional season, and the first two games provided quite a stark lesson for him to learn. Coaches won't be given nearly as much time to prepare for games at the NHL level as they get in the college ranks, which Hakstol will need to adjust to quickly.
With six games between the Flyers' last preseason game against New Jersey and the season opener against the Lightning, Hakstol had plenty of time to adjust and prepare for the matchup. But with another game just two nights later (which, as even the most casual of fans know, is quite common at the NHL level) Hakstol was not adequately prepared, which ultimately reflected in Saturday's loss. Sure, shaky defense, frustration and a rough Steve Mason performance (which has been rare since his trade to the Flyers) also played huge roles in the loss, but the bulk of those are out of Hakstol's control.
The two-day turnover between games is significant for Hakstol to keep in mind because at the college level, two days between games isn't entirely common (with the exception of weekend games). Subsequently, coaches are given more time to prepare. Old habits die hard — especially for an 11-year college coaching veteran — but it's a habit Hakstol will have to break in order to succeed.
Of course, Hakstol will get the opportunities he needs to make adjustments and change strategies, as he adjusts to the rigors of an 82-game season. He'll get another unique opportunity tonight, as he can quickly redeem for Saturday's game against the very Panthers team that outclassed his Flyers.
Interestingly enough, Hakstol was impressed enough with the effort in Tampa that he allowed his players to forgo the morning skate before Saturday's game. Looks like that won't be happening again anytime soon.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61