Paul McCann: Loss Increases Sense of Urgency

Paul McCann: Loss Increases Sense of Urgency
- pmccann

mediocre goaltending and trying to run and gun against the penguins = recipe for disaster.

mediocre goaltending and trying to run and gun against the penguins = recipe for disaster.
- HockeyHop

Preds had a number of chances that they just couldn't finish off, didn't feel like a 5-1 game at all. Renne may need a rest for a game or two, he just looks off, somewhat. Hope you guys turn it around and tear through the west.

What is up with Pekka?? Is it him or is it our D?
What has changed?
Radulov looked good for his first game with only a couple of practices!

I'm less worried about how this team looks today than I am about what this team looks like once the playoffs begin. I, like most, would like the Preds to get the 4th playoff spot. However, who we play is secondary to how we are playing.

I look forward to Gaustad's return to the line-up. I think Wilson needs to be in the line-up and playing with confidence when the playoffs starts. Wilson has the talent to make a huge impact on how far we go.

All of that to say, unless Peks is playing like Peks, everything else is window dressing.
Go Preds!!

ps. Would it hurt for our Defense to help a brother out!!!

C'mon boys..let's pick this up. Your the team I'm pulling for in the playoffs!!!

What is up with Pekka?? Is it him or is it our D?
What has changed?
Radulov looked good for his first game with only a couple of practices!
- Scottrod83

Pekka's been off his game for a couple of weeks now. It's starting to look like a lack of confidence. Our defense isn't helping out with those crappy turnovers either. (I'm looking at YOU Bouillon)

The Preds generated a TON of chances against the Pens and flat out missed at least four open net opportunities. They'll get it back together. Rinne is the one I'm worried about. We all know how bad it can get when a goalie starts losing their feelings of invincibility.

It's crazy that ever since Gaustad got hurt, we've not been too good. He makes a difference no doubt. Also, Preds had some open nets but couldn't convert, as frustrating as it is. I'm not giving up hope. Go Preds!!!

Another softy allowed by Peks (Malkin's first) and the unlucky bounce off Weber's skate. Two goals that "normally" wouldn't go. Plus, the Preds miss two wide open net put-back chances (SK & Spaling). Take away the softy and give the Preds the two gimme chances they missed & we're talking about a 4-3 loss to the best team in the league and everyone feels okay.

The Pens deserved to win last night. And they were clearly the better team. But they weren't 5-1 better! The Preds were squeezing the sticks a bit tightly and missing passes and scoring chances by just inches. Time for a little more practice & working to slow the game down...just a bit! The Edmonton game the other night was the same story.

They are clearly playing better than they played on the road trip - with the exception of Pekka & the Cube. Pekka is struggling a bit. It's probably a confidence issue. He needs a good strong Defensive performance in front of him in the next game or two with a shutout or something to get him re-started. The other player that shouldn't see the ice is Cube. He has been terrible. Really awful. That giveaway last night may not even be his worst play of the last couple weeks. It looked like vintage Zidlicky. Yuck.

The next 5 games are the season. 6 points or more, and they have a shot at home ice. A bad run, and they could find themselves facing a super-hot LA team or even Vancouver in the first round.

I'm less worried about how this team looks today than I am about what this team looks like once the playoffs begin. I, like most, would like the Preds to get the 4th playoff spot. However, who we play is secondary to how we are playing.

I look forward to Gaustad's return to the line-up. I think Wilson needs to be in the line-up and playing with confidence when the playoffs starts. Wilson has the talent to make a huge impact on how far we go.

All of that to say, unless Peks is playing like Peks, everything else is window dressing.
Go Preds!!

ps. Would it hurt for our Defense to help a brother out!!!
- 12pack

AT the rate they are going, there wont be any playoffs. This thing needs to get fixed and soon.

Just awful stretch of hockey or bad luck whatever it has got to change.

mediocre goaltending and trying to run and gun against the penguins = recipe for disaster.
- HockeyHop

It sure looks like Rinne is in some kind of a FUNK. His confidence is definitely shaken. His body language shows that. I don't think benching him is the answer. He needs to work through it. IMHO

It sure looks like Rinne is in some kind of a FUNK. His confidence is definitely shaken. His body language shows that. I don't think benching him is the answer. He needs to work through it. IMHO
- Predrod

MOAR SHOTS ON GOAL AGAINST PEKKA!

That's one of the differences. He's used to seeing so many shots against that he finds a groove. But the last two games we've out shot the other team.

AT the rate they are going, there wont be any playoffs. This thing needs to get fixed and soon.

Just awful stretch of hockey or bad luck whatever it has got to change.
- im4preds

I think we're ok to be in the playoffs even though we're losing and all the teams below us are winning. The main reason I think we'll be ok is because those teams, with the exception of the Avs, are all in the Pacific. They have to play each other so someone is going to lose. Even if the games are three point games I don't think there are enough games left for the Preds to slide into 9th.

Their play down the home stretch is definitely disappointing, but this team does manage to turn it on when they need to.

D

I think we are seeing something we are not used to....a Preds team coasting a bit because they know they are in.

Give Rinne a rest. He needs it.

Start working on Neutral Zone and D. HORRIBLE as of late. The Pens are skilled no doubt but we gave them no difficulty in entering the zone and no pressure once in. The Letang goal was ridiculous. He seriously sat there, grabbed a snack, called his family and then decided to shoot hence scoring.

We have to get back to what makes us successful. Physical play, solid D and playing with a bit of a point to prove. We don't do this, we will be out round 1.

mediocre goaltending and trying to run and gun against the penguins = recipe for disaster.
- HockeyHop

I think the REAL recipe for disaster was 1. A chance to leap over the Wings and 2. The National spotlight. Preds suck in those games.

I think the REAL recipe for disaster was 1. A chance to leap over the Wings and 2. The National spotlight. Preds suck in those games.
- Predaceous

Hopefully they will shake off the stage fright once playoff time begins.

I think the REAL recipe for disaster was 1. A chance to leap over the Wings and 2. The National spotlight. Preds suck in those games.
- Predaceous

I agree - was thinking this last night after the game. This is a hurdle they simply must overcome because the spotlight is going to just get hotter come playoff time.

If the Pens keep this up and stay healthy, no one is stopping them this season.

I think we're ok to be in the playoffs even though we're losing and all the teams below us are winning. The main reason I think we'll be ok is because those teams, with the exception of the Avs, are all in the Pacific. They have to play each other so someone is going to lose. Even if the games are three point games I don't think there are enough games left for the Preds to slide into 9th.

Their play down the home stretch is definitely disappointing, but this team does manage to turn it on when they need to.

D
- Predaceous

You are probably right but i never feel safe until there is an X next to our name like the one Rangers, Penguins and Blues have next to theirs today.

Another concern, we drop to 6th and get the #3 seed (currently the Kings) whom we havent exactly torn apart this season.

Oh well, I have to have something to worry and female dog about.

The Penguins are good but I think the Chiefs would have beat the Preds last night (the movie version). We didn't skate and get good body position, too much just trying for the poke check. Couldn't sink straight on empty net goals, too many soft passes especially in the d-zone and too many no look passes. Of course, if they are going to be in a funk, rather it be now than 3 weeks from now. This team is built for a run at the Cup but not without grinding out 60 minutes of hockey every game! These slow starts are for the birds, when the game starts be ready to play, now it is bleeding over from the beginning of the game to the beginning of the second and third period. We are a good team and "can" be a great team!! Damn the torpedoes!!! Full steam ahead!!!

You are probably right but i never feel safe until there is an X next to our name like the one Rangers, Penguins and Blues have next to theirs today.

Another concern, we drop to 6th and get the #3 seed (currently the Kings) whom we havent exactly torn apart this season.

Oh well, I have to have something to worry and bitch about.
- im4preds

Fixed.

Now dropping to 6th and having the play the Kings in the first round is something worth worrying about. The Preds had the Kings number until about 3 years ago when the Kings started playing Bernier against them. They haven't won a whole lot of games against the Kings since.

Something to think about for everyone who's hoping we drop to 6th for a 'better' matchup. I think we're better off playing Detroit or Chicago.

Just a clarification, we've lost 4 of 5, not 5 of 6. Phoenix was (thankfully) a shootout win.

However, I agree with everyone else, this needs to be fixed NOW! We've put up some goals, but not consistently. The D has been mediocre this season but they've given up some fluke goals that make it look worse than it actually is. I think Trotz will pull this team back around in the next game or two, but all aspects of the game need some work and we need to get our confidence back.

We have always been known as a "blue collar" team relying on defence which has worked for years.
Looks like Trotz has his work cut out for him on changing the way we play ???

I think the REAL recipe for disaster was 1. A chance to leap over the Wings and 2. The National spotlight. Preds suck in those games.
- Predaceous

They are not yet psychologically prepared to succeed. Coaching issue.

Put Gaustad and Wilson back in the line-up as soon as they are healthy. Sit Tootoo for Halischuk...problem solved. I have no doubt Pekka will get his head screwed on soon. He is too good and too competitive to expect otherwise.

Put Gaustad and Wilson back in the line-up as soon as they are healthy. Sit Tootoo for Halischuk...problem solved. I have no doubt Pekka will get his head screwed on soon. He is too good and too competitive to expect otherwise.
- Polecat

I agree with everything here, but who do you sit for Gaustad and Wilson? YIP and????