The uneasiness was evident with Ducks General Manager Bob Murray as he shifted in his chair.
Murray is as passionate as any executive in hockey, and he had to put aside emotions in his firing of Coach Bruce Boudreau on Friday.
"It's never easy, and ultimately, my job is to look forward for what's best for the group," Murray said. "And that's why it's uncomfortable because there's been some success. But, again, I want playoff success."
See the most-read stories in Sports this hour>>
Murray spoke at the same news conference table that Boudreau would have used to preview Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal against San Jose.