Paul McCann: A Solid Start in Smashville

I don't get why this team needed a wake up call at all. We've heard all off season about how this team was angry about last season, and you mentioned in your last blog about how deadly serious they were approaching this year... And yet they still need the coach to scream at them to get their butts in gear, on opening night at home no less?... It's the same crap from last year all over again, and that doesn't bode well for the rest of the season.

I am happy with the win and the team's overall performance. We saw sustained offensive pressure against at team, that at worst, should still be solid defensively. That was something often missing from last year. Preds could've had a couple early if Dubnyk hadn't arguably been the star of the game for the first two periods. Forsberg and Granlund could both press charges for having goals stolen from them. It was good to to actually notice Kyle Turris in a game too, and not for doing something negative. Hopefully a reinvigorated effort from him leads to some offensive production soon.

Exactly, can you imgine your boss having to give you "wake up" call every day after lunch???

I don't get why this team needed a wake up call at all. We've heard all off season about how this team was angry about last season, and you mentioned in your last blog about how deadly serious they were approaching this year... And yet they still need the coach to scream at them to get their butts in gear, on opening night at home no less?... It's the same crap from last year all over again, and that doesn't bode well for the rest of the season.

I am happy with the win and the team's overall performance. We saw sustained offensive pressure against at team, that at worst, should still be solid defensively. That was something often missing from last year. Preds could've had a couple early if Dubnyk hadn't arguably been the star of the game for the first two periods. Forsberg and Granlund could both press charges for having goals stolen from them. It was good to to actually notice Kyle Turris in a game too, and not for doing something negative. Hopefully a reinvigorated effort from him leads to some offensive production soon.
- Squatchy

Paul never said that Laviolette screamed at the team. It was an off-handed comment about how the guys responded to ... something from the coach. Maybe Lavy has other motivational methods - it is a possibility.

The players - all of whom are adults and professionals at the highest level - don't necessarily need paint-peeling, especially since they were playing quite well in the 1st & 2nd but just had not been able to close the deal.

All Paul did was point out that something motivated their play to a higher level in order to get the job done. He was only speculating that it could have been Red Bull, strong coffee, tongue lashing - whatever. Maybe Lavy did scream, I don't know. However, since none of us know for sure, why get all negative at the first game of the long, grueling 82-game regular season? The Preds ended up winning handily, with conviction no less, against a goalie who was standing on his head. We should be pleased and happy. This was already a game leading into the third period where there had not been an overabundance of gaffes from the Preds. It's a paradox why some pursue gloom & doom in spite of positive outcomes.

I can’t believe the griping going on. Dubnyk made some some huge saves early. The Wild got outplayed in every facet of the game. Not sure what some of you are looking for?? I like what I saw overall in line combos, etc. There were some defense lapses, but it’s game 1 soI wasn’t really surprised. Next..

Paul never said that Laviolette screamed at the team. It was an off-handed comment about how the guys responded to ... something from the coach. Maybe Lavy has other motivational methods - it is a possibility.

The players - all of whom are adults and professionals at the highest level - don't necessarily need paint-peeling, especially since they were playing quite well in the 1st & 2nd but just had not been able to close the deal.

All Paul did was point out that something motivated their play to a higher level in order to get the job done. He was only speculating that it could have been Red Bull, strong coffee, tongue lashing - whatever. Maybe Lavy did scream, I don't know. However, since none of us know for sure, why get all negative at the first game of the long, grueling 82-game regular season? The Preds ended up winning handily, with conviction no less, against a goalie who was standing on his head. We should be pleased and happy. This was already a game leading into the third period where there had not been an overabundance of gaffes from the Preds. It's a paradox why some pursue gloom & doom in spite of positive outcomes.
- blueline

I think you may have over analyzed my use of the word scream. It's really just a word I chose based off of Lavy's fiery reputation, not because I actually thought he was screaming at them, though for some reason when I think of Lavy I always think of him yelling. Don't know what he said, but it obviously worked. Still don't think he should've had to do it on opening night at home. but overall I was very happy with the win, and the consistent effort the Preds put up throughout the game.

Solid game overall. Dubnyk was incredible and just kept the Wild in that one really. Nashville looked really good, and once they got rolling it really clicked for them. It was a good game overall. Great to see Dutch kick things off with 3A on the night.