Observations III

[Pred303]

i'm getting worried about my attitude......now when I go and watch a game or turn on the tv I don't just hope we win, but expect that somehow we will find a way to win.... this could easily lead to fan complacency... this could easily become addicting.

 

[Byrddog]

There's no issue with having the right "gritty" players.

I don't care that Nystrom isn't a playmaker or Gaustad is an offensive blackhole. I'm concerned that if Gaustad loses a d-zone draw, you can absolutely *count* on getting into trouble. Nystrom in particular is being used as a defensive specialist when he simply isn't great defensively. He gives it his all, he's a character player, but that doesn't make him someone you want out there with a one goal lead.

Smithson, Fiddler---they were reliable players in that role. Nystrom, in particular, isn't.

And the forwards that have the first assists tonight. Of course Gaustad and Nystrom. Its a funny game when we get down on players they do something.


Othe than the fight I was not impressed at all with Beni ditto. Our top three liones made Visectomy look like a Veznia candidate in the 1st and 3rd. Neals closer was sweet.

Glad for the win.

 

[wadesworld]

Craig Smith stunk...

Guy could score 5 goals and it wouldn't be enough.

He wasn't the only player to fail to finish a great chance tonight but he's the only one that gets called out. Irrational hatred is well, irrational.

 

[Byrddog]

Guy could score 5 goals and it wouldn't be enough.

He wasn't the only player to fail to finish a great chance tonight but he's the only one that gets called out. Irrational hatred is well, irrational.

Last 11 games Smith has 1 goal 1 assist.... In the same 11 games Nystrom has 1 goal and 2 assists.. Yet Nystrom needs to be benched and Smith plays top line. Excuses can only go so far and someone needs to call him out.

 

[Tofveve]

Hey guys, did that streak of not losing back to back games ever come to an end? I wasn't paying that close attention over the last few weeks.

 

[Armourboy]

Hey guys, did that streak of not losing back to back games ever come to an end? I wasn't paying that close attention over the last few weeks.

Well yes and no. Technically we did lose back to back, but one was an OT. We still haven't lost back to back in regulation though.

And once again Byrd your hatred for Smith is showing badly. Guy certainly hasn't been on fire when it comes to putting the puck in the net, but he hasn't exactly been playing bad hockey either. Half this team hasn't been able to hit the broad side of the barn, but that doesn't mean they are playing bad hockey either. That said does Smith really need to be on the top line? No not really. But if he isn't there he is going to be on the second anyways because he's better than anyone else we have left.

Lavi is the coach, he has had him on the 1st for a reason for a while now. There is a reason he is a Stanley Cup winning coach so I'm going to defer to him.

 

[wadesworld]

Last 11 games Smith has 1 goal 1 assist.... In the same 11 games Nystrom has 1 goal and 2 assists.. Yet Nystrom needs to be benched and Smith plays top line. Excuses can only go so far and someone needs to call him out.

As I've said repeatedly, I have absolutely no problem with him being moved down and Neal back up. I think it should be done to perhaps spark both players, neither of whom have been stellar as of late (Neal finally getting another last night).

Not every player on your top 2 lines is going to be a 30-goal scorer. If they are, you're going to quickly run into cap trouble. Your team needs a few solid 20-goal scorers and that's what Smith is. The difference between the elite guys and the 20-goal scorers? The 20-goal guys get to all the right places but aren't as good at finishing.

Am I frustrated Smith isn't scoring more? Sure. But I don't think for a minute the right move is to replace him with Nystrom.

 

[triggrman]

I can't tell from the highlights, on the second Tampa goal, how does Jones get left covering the short side as well as the mid slot when the puck seemed to be deep to begin with?

 

[PredsV82]

i'm getting worried about my attitude......now when I go and watch a game or turn on the tv I don't just hope we win, but expect that somehow we will find a way to win.... this could easily lead to fan complacency... this could easily become addicting.

as a Kentucky basketball fan I have experience with this mindset, and I admit I have developed that same feeling with the Preds this year.. I have only really felt like we were out of a game when we were down by 3 or 4 goals...

 

[Adz]

I think the team refers to it as "confidence". In the game against Anaheim it was only when they scored the empty netter that my confidence waned. I think that confident attitude penetrates not only the locker room, but the fans. It's a great feeling!

And, yes, I am confident in my assessment. Grin.

 

[PredsV82]

I think the team refers to it as "confidence". In the game against Anaheim it was only when they scored the empty netter that my confidence waned. I think that confident attitude penetrates not only the locker room, but the fans. It's a great feeling!

And, yes, I am confident in my assessment. Grin.

and I am confident that your winner pie tastes better this year than it ever has before...

 

[Byrddog]

As I've said repeatedly, I have absolutely no problem with him being moved down and Neal back up. I think it should be done to perhaps spark both players, neither of whom have been stellar as of late (Neal finally getting another last night).

Not every player on your top 2 lines is going to be a 30-goal scorer. If they are, you're going to quickly run into cap trouble. Your team needs a few solid 20-goal scorers and that's what Smith is. The difference between the elite guys and the 20-goal scorers? The 20-goal guys get to all the right places but aren't as good at finishing.

Am I frustrated Smith isn't scoring more? Sure. But I don't think for a minute the right move is to replace him with Nystrom.

A couple things in no way did I suggest that Nystrom should replace Smith. What I did was point out that in the 11 game period he was equal in goals and has one more assist.

As for Smith being a top 6 guy. You can look back to last year I have said repeatedly that he is in fact, I think he is more of a 3rd line guy without the ability to play defense. At the rate the guy has been playing heck since Dec 1 7 goals 6 assts in a span of 31 games with 22 of those games on the Ribs line.

Would I be disappointed if he had another 25 goal season? No way he is currently a member of the team. There is nothing right now that convince me that he his a 20 goal guy on either top line. I know some will point to last season. A player must be able to repeat good seasons before I will be convinced they should be top 6 guys. The problem is the team does not have another choice. Absent a trade we will endure the rest of the season in this situation. Next year will be a different story. If Smith is still here I am convinced he will lose the top 6 position to Fiala he will then be fully exposed.

 

[Adz]

and I am confident that your winner pie tastes better this year than it ever has before...

Thanks! I think it was the addition of some JAM into the recipe.

 

[drwpreds]

A few notes and stats:

Preds have scored 3 or more goals in 19 of the last 24 games

Preds have best home record in the league, but sure don’t give the fans any time to relax- of the 22 home wins, 19 have been by 1 goal- only 3 times have we won a home game by multiple goals (4-1 Dallas, 4-1 Philly, 5-1 Vancouver)

Predators are 24-4-6 in 1 goal games.

11 of the last 25 games have gone into OT/SO.

Penalty Kill is on a roll- have killed 27 of the last 28 power play chances. We are now up to #15 in the league overall.

In last 21 games, power play is 18/66- 27.2% (for reference, the league leading PP% is Detroit at 25.5)

Predators continue to lead the league in one of the most important stats- 5/5 gf/ga ratio.
1. Nash 1.35
2. TB 1.29
3. STL 1.28
4. Chic 1.24
5. NYR 1.23
6. Mon 1.22

Predators have won 8 straight home OT/SO games (8-0-1 overall- only loss was to Calgary in the third game of the season)

 

[Pred303]

i like smith. he has a non traditional skating and puck handling style that makes him look choppy, but i don't mind that. to me, smith is a valuable guy. he is a guy that will score you 20-25 goals each year, hustle, play hard, not hurt you defensively. sure, he's a streaky guy, but honestly, all 20-25 goal scorers are, that's why they only average a goal every 4 games or so. when he had 12 goals in the first 40 games i had no complaint and i don't now. watch he will have a streak soon where he gets about 5 goals in a 5 game period and then go quiet for awhile again. his numbers will all work out decently, even if they fall below last year.

we have many deeper needs than worrying about smith only having 14 goals, when our leading goal scorer only has 18 and we have very little contribution from the bottom 6 guys.

i do agree, in the perfect world, you acquire a 30 goal type forward that could push smith down to a 3rd line role. would really strengthen the depth of the team.

 

[HoptownPred]

Totally Useless Information: All 5 goals in last nights game were scored on the twice attack end. (Told you it was useless info)

 

[NSH615]

Totally Useless Information: All 5 goals in last nights game were scored on the twice attack end. (Told you it was useless info)

Also Weber was not on the ice for any of those goals.

 

[HoptownPred]

Also Weber was not on the ice for any of those goals.

I was in section 302 & when the score was 2-1 in the 3rd., I hoped all of the games goals weren't going to be scored in front of me. When overtime came into play, I changed my tune. Sure enough, Neal hit that shot after Jones' near miss and the "pick five" was complete.
I may have mis-spoke, calling that end the "twice attack" end. Let's call it the Broadway end of the rink.
Great contest. Tampa Bay is the fastest team I have seen in a while.

 

[BigFatCat999]

Observation: The Buffalo trade might have put Chicago on notice. Imagine a 1st rd of Chicago vs Nashville.

 

[Drake744]

If this is old news oh well, but I heard on NHL Network after the Rangers game that the Preds set an NHL record with 17 straight wins in one-goal-games at home. So, 18 now I guess.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

Observation: The Buffalo trade might have put Chicago on notice. Imagine a 1st rd of Chicago vs Nashville.

I don't think the trade makes them that much better, if at all. Nearly everyone has games in hand on them, to the point that they are arguably closer to being on the bubble than overtaking a team like the Hawks. Their size does worry me though.

As a random stat aside, the top 3 teams in the Central have a combined +111 goal differential. Top 3 in the Pacific are a +30.

 

[PredsV82]

Observation: The Buffalo trade might have put Chicago on notice. Imagine a 1st rd of Chicago vs Nashville.

I don't think the trade makes them that much better, if at all. Nearly everyone has games in hand on them, to the point that they are arguably closer to being on the bubble than overtaking a team like the Hawks. Their size does worry me though.

As a random stat aside, the top 3 teams in the Central have a combined +111 goal differential. Top 3 in the Pacific are a +30.

Agreed. To quote Meatloaf, "Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are"

Winnipeg's apparent proximity to Chicago is a mirage.... WPG is on a 96.6 point pace and Chicago is on a 104.7 point pace. (Preds are on a 118.4 point pace )

 

[Adz]

If this is old news oh well, but I heard on NHL Network after the Rangers game that the Preds set an NHL record with 17 straight wins in one-goal-games at home. So, 18 now I guess.

No, we haven't done that. Vancouver was a 5-1 win. However, of the 26 games played 20 have been 1 point games win or loss.

We have won 19 games at home by 1 point, but not in a row.

 

[Drake744]

No, we haven't done that. Vancouver was a 5-1 win. However, of the 26 games played 20 have been 1 point games win or loss.

We have won 19 games at home by 1 point, but not in a row.

I don't think I worded that very well. In our last 18 one-goal games at home, we've won all 18.

I haven't checked, but that's what I was trying to say.

 

[nomorekids]

I was glad to see Stalberg get an actual shot, played most of the game on the second line and acquitted himself well, IMO.

When Wilson comes back, would love to see OJ hit the wire.