The NHL playoffs heighten intensity and gamesmanship as teams seek advantages in tight series. Ottawa Senators' coach Travis Green accused the Toronto Maple Leafs of manipulating officials for penalties, while Leafs coach Craig Berube claimed the Senators were targeting his goaltender. This escalated during warm-ups as Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele and St. Louis Blues' Joel Hofer engaged in a standoff. Players, like Morgan Rielly, advocate for focus amidst these distractions, emphasizing the battle for mental edge. The Ottawa Senators faced a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct due to pre-game antics, highlighting the thin line players walk in playoffs. Both experience and discipline are crucial, as articulated by players like Brady Tkachuk and Nino Niederreiter.