Paul McCann: Game Night - Looking for Six

First.

I'm a little surprised by Trotz's decision to start Pekka yesterday, and possibly Lindback today. It's almost like he's conceding the loss to the Rangers. With Pekka in net, anything is possible. I understand wanting to get the W and make sure you come out of the back to back with at least one, but I think Lindback would have held his own. Hopefully he's stellar tonight.

Glad I don't have to watch the game from the desktop today.

I hope we do start Lindback. Need to give Pekka a rest.

I hope we do start Lindback. Need to give Pekka a rest.
- TheOne

My point is that I thought we should have started Lindback yesterday and Pekka today. I'm just perplexed that they'd intentionally start Pekka against a team that's struggled this year while putting Lindback in against one of the best teams in the league.

I'm a little surprised by Trotz's decision to start Pekka yesterday, and possibly Lindback today. It's almost like he's conceding the loss to the Rangers. With Pekka in net, anything is possible. I understand wanting to get the W and make sure you come out of the back to back with at least one, but I think Lindback would have held his own. Hopefully he's stellar tonight.

Glad I don't have to watch the game from the desktop today.
- Predaceous

+1. Maybe with an afternoon game and light travel, Barry wanted to go with his hot hand yesterday and today. I had one my best naps yesterday after watching the 1st period I fell asleep and didn't wake up till after the game.

My point is that I thought we should have started Lindback yesterday and Pekka today. I'm just perplexed that they'd intentionally start Pekka against a team that's struggled this year while putting Lindback in against one of the best teams in the league.
- Predaceous

Maybe he wanted Pekka since they knew Suter might not make it through the game? And the Islanders may not be one of the best teams, but they had been playing pretty well coming into that game.

My point is that I thought we should have started Lindback yesterday and Pekka today. I'm just perplexed that they'd intentionally start Pekka against a team that's struggled this year while putting Lindback in against one of the best teams in the league.
- Predaceous

I'd actually like to see Lindback start against the Rangers tonight, being that they are indeed one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. It would be a good test for Lindback, and it might even make the rest of the team play a bit harder knowing they don't have the great wall of china standing in front of net. Either way, whoever starts, I just hope we get the win!

And Kostitsyn just needs to keep shooting, he has a nasty wrister!

Probably Rinne in net tonight.

Dan Rosen: Trotz maybe thought about going to Lindback tomorrow to complete back-to-back, but now? "How can I not go with Peks?" Rinne had 36 saves.

I gathered that the quote "How can I not go with Pekka" was directly from Trotz.

My point is that I thought we should have started Lindback yesterday and Pekka today. I'm just perplexed that they'd intentionally start Pekka against a team that's struggled this year while putting Lindback in against one of the best teams in the league.
- Predaceous

I agree. I would think Trotz is going to play Lindback soon since we play the Hawks and the Jackets twice in the next 7 days.
Since Lindback has hardly been 'showcased', does that put a rest to all the Lindback rumors?

I was hoping to see Lindback last night too. It's national television tonight. Pekka has to start! He's got "a chip on his shoulder" with something to prove. He (like Perry) should be an all-star based on his play last year. I hate that some guys make the all-star team because they had a good start to the season i.e. Brian Elliot or a team obligated to send one player i.e. Carey Price.

Also...how good is the Central Division? There are six teams in the West with a positive GF/GA ratio. Four of the six are from the Central Division!!! Yeah..........uh huh. That's "a good" division.

I agree. I would think Trotz is going to play Lindback soon since we play the Hawks and the Jackets twice in the next 7 days.
Since Lindback has hardly been 'showcased', does that put a rest to all the Lindback rumors?
- benderboots

If were going to showcase Lindback, tonight would be the best night to do so, since the game is being televised on national TV.

If were going to showcase Lindback, tonight would be the best night to do so, since the game is being televised on national TV.
- TheOne

Well, so much for Trotz's quote. It's been confirmed that Lindback is getting the start. (Tom Callahan)

I think Trotz started Rinne yesterday because we HAD to beat the Isles ... couldn't afford to slip up and not get 2 points from them and a hot Rinne was the better bet over a underused Lindback. Of the two NY games, the Eastern conference leading Rangers is the one most likely to take an L.

I would play Lindback tonight and trust he plays well and the boys step it up to help him, since the goalie who bails them out often is getting a deserved night off.

Tough next 5 ... hope we can get 6+ points with the Rangers, 2 with Columbus, and 2 with Chicago.

I think Trotz started Rinne yesterday because we HAD to beat the Isles ... couldn't afford to slip up and not get 2 points from them and a hot Rinne was the better bet over a underused Lindback. Of the two NY games, the Eastern conference leading Rangers is the one most likely to take an L.

- Predsboro

Agreed

Agreed
- Whyme78

In addition to Lindback confirmed in net, Callahan reports that Trotz said that Smith is game time but probable.

I expect to see a good game out of Anders. Here's hoping.

In addition to Lindback confirmed in net, Callahan reports that Trotz said that Smith is game time but probable.

I expect to see a good game out of Anders. Here's hoping.
- blueline

Rangers are very physical team, play McG and sit Smith one more game.

Rangers are very physical team, play McG and sit Smith one more game.
- slash&smash

Maybe, but I bet he's itching to get on the ice. Considering he was out for flu-like issues opposed to an injury, he probably will be fine if he gets in the lineup.

Maybe but I bet he's itching to get on the ice. Considering he was out for flu-like issues opposed to an injury, he probably will be fine if he gets in the lineup.
- blueline

Any word on Smithson?

My point is that I thought we should have started Lindback yesterday and Pekka today. I'm just perplexed that they'd intentionally start Pekka against a team that's struggled this year while putting Lindback in against one of the best teams in the league.
- Predaceous

I actually agree with Trotz. Start Pekka against the weaker team since it is a non-conference game. This was Trotz saying get the 2 points we should get and then hope for the best against the Rangers.

I say start Pekka, when he gets on a hot streak the more pucks thrown at him the better he gets. I say ride him until he drops. I dont like the whole get two points out of the Islanders and hope for the best against the Rangers. You have to play to win, no play and hope to win.
Nsh needs to come out strong against the Rangers, the 1st period is going to be everything in this game.. You can't defend yourself into victory for gawds sake.....

I think Trotz started Rinne yesterday because we HAD to beat the Isles ... couldn't afford to slip up and not get 2 points from them and a hot Rinne was the better bet over a underused Lindback. Of the two NY games, the Eastern conference leading Rangers is the one most likely to take an L.

I would play Lindback tonight and trust he plays well and the boys step it up to help him, since the goalie who bails them out often is getting a deserved night off.

Tough next 5 ... hope we can get 6+ points with the Rangers, 2 with Columbus, and 2 with Chicago.
- Predsboro

I actually agree with Trotz. Start Pekka against the weaker team since it is a non-conference game. This was Trotz saying get the 2 points we should get and then hope for the best against the Rangers.
- dgutzman

Plus, if we win tonight w/Anders in net it sends a strong statement about not only the goaltending here but also the team.

Not for a second do I think the Preds are in any way conceding this game. If anything, they want it more than yesterday's win.

I say start Pekka, when he gets on a hot streak the more pucks thrown at him the better he gets. I say ride him until he drops. I dont like the whole get two points out of the Islanders and hope for the best against the Rangers. You have to play to win, no play and hope to win.
Nsh needs to come out strong against the Rangers, the 1st period is going to be everything in this game.. You can't defend yourself into victory for gawds sake.....
- PREDX1

Pretty much a moot point since it was announced this morning that Lindback is getting the nod for tonight. I don't see that changing.

Or showcasing Anders, for future trade bait....

Plus, if we win tonight w/Anders in net it sends a strong statement about not only the goaltending here but also the team.

Not for a second do I think the Preds are in any way conceding this game. If anything, they want it more than yesterday's win.
- blueline

I think Trotz started Rinne yesterday because we HAD to beat the Isles ... couldn't afford to slip up and not get 2 points from them and a hot Rinne was the better bet over a underused Lindback. Of the two NY games, the Eastern conference leading Rangers is the one most likely to take an L.

I would play Lindback tonight and trust he plays well and the boys step it up to help him, since the goalie who bails them out often is getting a deserved night off.

Tough next 5 ... hope we can get 6+ points with the Rangers, 2 with Columbus, and 2 with Chicago.
- Predsboro

That sounds like a complete lack of faith in Lindback to me. He couldn't trust him to play the Isles and get the two points? I haven't seen Lindback look consistently terrible, so I don't get where this lack of trust in him is coming from. He's barely played this year, getting his playing time down in Milwaukee. Personally, I think Lindback would have been fine. This really feels like Trotz is conceding the game to the Rangers. If he couldn't trust Lindback to get the W against the Isles how can he look him in the eye and say he expects him to stop the Rangers?