Paul McCann: Game Night - Dogs and Cats - Mass Hysteria!

Need some wins at home before the nasty upcoming road trip.

Good start for the Preds. They've certainly been generating some offensive chances, and it was good to see Carter Hutton play a strong game and steal a point in Chicago (the team looked very sluggish the first 2 periods).

My three questions for this week:

1. Where does Victor Stalberg fit? He's shown some jump and his typical quickness. But how is HCPL gonna use him?

2. Can the power play find some traction? The penalty kill was solid against Chicago on Saturday - but the power play looked like a herd of confused cats out on the ice - ultimately leading to the shorthanded game winner for Chicago.

3. Can Forsberg keep up his strong play? It's hard to argue that he hasn't been the best skater for the Preds through 5 games. He's young. He'll probably have a few bad games here & there. But can he be consistent enough to carry the offensive play for the long haul this season?

Good start for the Preds. They've certainly been generating some offensive chances, and it was good to see Carter Hutton play a strong game and steal a point in Chicago (the team looked very sluggish the first 2 periods).

My three questions for this week:

1. Where does Victor Stalberg fit? He's shown some jump and his typical quickness. But how is HCPL gonna use him?

2. Can the power play find some traction? The penalty kill was solid against Chicago on Saturday - but the power play looked like a herd of confused cats out on the ice - ultimately leading to the shorthanded game winner for Chicago.

3. Can Forsberg keep up his strong play? It's hard to argue that he hasn't been the best skater for the Preds through 5 games. He's young. He'll probably have a few bad games here & there. But can he be consistent enough to carry the offensive play for the long haul this season?
- holycow_75

1. Stalberg is an expensive spare part. Crazy speed, but can't hit the broad side of a barn with his shots.

2. I believe the power play will get better once this team finds its identity and line combos.

3. Forsberg is going to be great someday in my opinion. That trade will prove to be a steal for the Preds as time goes on.

How has James Neal been for you guys? Haven't seen much one way or the other.

Honrqvist has been a stud for Pitt. so far. 4G, 4A through his first 4gms.

Spaling doesn't have any points, but has played a solid game. Solid on the PK and Good possession numbers despite playing with some poor linemates. Seems like he is still getting his feet underneath himself a bit.

How has James Neal been for you guys? Haven't seen much one way or the other.

Honrqvist has been a stud for Pitt. so far. 4G, 4A through his first 4gms.

Spaling doesn't have any points, but has played a solid game. Solid on the PK and Good possession numbers despite playing with some poor linemates. Seems like he is still getting his feet underneath himself a bit.
- s0rcerer1984

Neal has been strong. He's been robbed on a couple of great scoring chances so his numbers aren't crazy, but he's clearly a first-line forward who is going to score for the Preds.

I figured Hornqvist would be a good fit in Pittsburg. He's a gritty player that doesn't mind going into the dirty spaces. With all of the offensive activity the Penguins create, I thought he would have some great chances to clean up or deflect pucks and score goals. I think the trade benefited both clubs - but I hated to see the Preds lose Horny.

You will grow to appreciate Spaling. He's an underrated player. Sure, he's a 3rd or 4th line guy. But he's good on the penalty kill, and he's responsible. He's not going to lead the team in scoring, or jersey sales for that matter. But he's a good intangibles guy to have on the ice.

Neal has been strong. He's been robbed on a couple of great scoring chances so his numbers aren't crazy, but he's clearly a first-line forward who is going to score for the Preds.

I figured Hornqvist would be a good fit in Pittsburg. He's a gritty player that doesn't mind going into the dirty spaces. With all of the offensive activity the Penguins create, I thought he would have some great chances to clean up or deflect pucks and score goals. I think the trade benefited both clubs - but I hated to see the Preds lose Horny.

You will grow to appreciate Spaling. He's an underrated player. Sure, he's a 3rd or 4th line guy. But he's good on the penalty kill, and he's responsible. He's not going to lead the team in scoring, or jersey sales for that matter. But he's a good intangibles guy to have on the ice.
- holycow_75

I do like Spaling so far. But, as you said, he isn't a 1st or 2nd liner w/ elite talent & it seems like he is taking a little time to adjust. The season is still early & I think he'll be fine overall.

And Neal certainly is a great player, albeit not a complete one. Neal isn't exactly a 200ft player. I think the issue was magnified in Pitt. as Malkin is the same way & it casued some defensive issues at timesw/ both of them failing to get back on D. Still, Neal can put the puck in the net like few others & he'll instantly improve your PP by a few percentage points, easy. A great player to have at a Cap hit of $5M/yr.

I do like Spaling so far. But, as you said, he isn't a 1st or 2nd liner w/ elite talent & it seems like he is taking a little time to adjust. The season is still early & I think he'll be fine overall.

And Neal certainly is a great player, albeit not a complete one. Neal isn't exactly a 200ft player. I think the issue was magnified in Pitt. as Malkin is the same way & it casued some defensive issues at timesw/ both of them failing to get back on D. Still, Neal can put the puck in the net like few others & he'll instantly improve your PP by a few percentage points, easy. A great player to have at a Cap hit of $5M/yr.
- s0rcerer1984

To date you have the better end of the deal. Horny will also work his butt off even if he goes into a scoring slump. Spaling will be steady. I have noticed Neal is a bit more of a "cherry picker" than falling back on D. But this is probably due to coaching styles compared to Trotz.

To date you have the better end of the deal. Horny will also work his butt off even if he goes into a scoring slump. Spaling will be steady. I have noticed Neal is a bit more of a "cherry picker" than falling back on D. But this is probably due to coaching styles compared to Trotz.
- wrister

Eh, Neal did the same thing in Pitt. Overall, Neal is a solid 1st line F, but he is not perfect. Few players can thrive with a ton of unfavorable D zone starts & Neal isn't one of them. Neal can shoot, score & be a demon on the PP from the slot. That is his game and he is great at it.

Ideally, you want Neal's line to get the easy O-zone and PP minutes while a more defensively responsible line taks the tough minutes/Dzone starts. That is how the Pens functioned w/ Malkin-Neal-Jokinen getting the easy zone starts & Crosby-Kunitz-Dupuis taking the tougher minutes/D zone starts last season.

Eh, Neal did the same thing in Pitt. Overall, Neal is a solid 1st line F, but he is not perfect. Few players can thrive with a ton of unfavorable D zone starts & Neal isn't one of them. Neal can shoot, score & be a demon on the PP from the slot. That is his game and he is great at it.

Ideally, you want Neal's line to get the easy O-zone and PP minutes while a more defensively responsible line taks the tough minutes/Dzone starts. That is how the Pens functioned w/ Malkin-Neal-Jokinen getting the easy zone starts & Crosby-Kunitz-Dupuis taking the tougher minutes/D zone starts last season.
- s0rcerer1984

Fortunately the Preds have such a strong Defense, they can make up (in spots) for guys that don't have a great two-way game. I can certainly see where Neal might have some defensive liabilities. However, I think most Preds fans would gladly trade a few goals against for a first line that could actually generate some consistent offensive pressure. The Preds have always had a good grit line, and a couple decent shut down lines. But it's been several years since they had two lines that could generate a decent amount of offensive push like we've seen the first five games.

Granted, it's just 5 games in. But there's already been a clear shift in mindset. And Neal's line might have some defensive lapses that have to be coached around. But at home with the last change, that kind of mix & match should be easier for Laviolette to orchestrate. The real test might be on this upcoming road trip to see if they get exposed.

Fortunately the Preds have such a strong Defense, they can make up (in spots) for guys that don't have a great two-way game. I can certainly see where Neal might have some defensive liabilities. However, I think most Preds fans would gladly trade a few goals against for a first line that could actually generate some consistent offensive pressure. The Preds have always had a good grit line, and a couple decent shut down lines. But it's been several years since they had two lines that could generate a decent amount of offensive push like we've seen the first five games.

Granted, it's just 5 games in. But there's already been a clear shift in mindset. And Neal's line might have some defensive lapses that have to be coached around. But at home with the last change, that kind of mix & match should be easier for Laviolette to orchestrate. The real test might be on this upcoming road trip to see if they get exposed.
- holycow_75

Very much agree. Neal is great; coach just has to use him in the right manner to get the most out of him.