Hello everyone and welcome to the latest edition of Big Dave's Pens Pregame. Tonight, our Penguins travel to the Music City to take on James Neal and the Nashville Predators.
Puck drop for this contest is 8:00pm eastern time, but you can catch the Pregame starting now....
Tonight's "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" comes from one of my favorite Irish rock bands. If you ever get the opportunity to see these guys live, don't pass it up. It is an awesome experience! I thought it was a fitting song considering the horrible game the Pens played on Thursday. This song comes off their album, "Swagger." It is Flogging Molly's "The Worst Day Since Yesterday."
The State of the Penguins
At this point, I do not think we do. The Penguins entered Thursday's rematch with Dallas riding a three-game winning streak. The hope was that the Penguins would continue their solid play against a highly touted Stars team. A fourth straight win and a win against a very good opponent would have gone a long way for this team.
The pieces were all in place for such success as well. Sidney Crosby bursted out in a big way in Tuesday's win v. Florida. He finally looked like Sidney Crosby again. Evgeni Malkin was riding a four-game point streak and looked poised to continue it. The power play finally got a few tallies on the board. Marc-Andre Fleury was playing well and the Penguins received reinforcements when it was announced Pascal Dupuis would play his first game since last November.
However, everything went to hell in a hand-basket when the puck dropped on Thursday night at Consol Energy Center. The Penguins controlled the flow of play for roughly 8 minutes, then Dallas took over and never looked back. They scored the game's first three goals before Nick Bonino finally cashed in his first as a Penguin in the second period. The Penguins would ultimately fall to Dallas for the second time this season 4-1.
The Penguins looked bad again on Thursday. It is becoming a question of is this team actually a playoff team, let alone Stanley Cup contender.
While that may seem a dramatic note, think about it. Through just 7 games, we have seen really one complete game; the win v. Ottawa. Their win over Toronto was far from convincing and if Crosby wasn't a man possessed on Tuesday, I don't know if they win that game either. In their losses, the Penguins have looked terrible. And as many media outlets have reported since Thursday, the Pens are off to their worst offensive start since 1970-71. Eleven goals through seven games with the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Letang, Hornqvist, Perron, Kunitz and Bonino is atrocious.
It is fair to question this team, it truly is. While Rome was not built in a day, you can only go on making excuses so long. The "system" is practically non-existent in the majority of these games. Guys like Chris Kunitz and David Perron have grossly underachieved. I would even throw Patric Hornqvist into that realm if he wasn't playing well in every other facet of the game besides goal scoring. The power play is still in shambles. While the defense hasn't been bad, there have been inconsistency there as well. Finally, it is clear that Mike Johnston has no idea what is going on with his team. The players are dictating the decisions and you would think, after another loss, that they would figure out that their way, is the wrong way.
It will be interesting to see where this team will go from here. Friday's practice showed different forward lines, ones I believe make more sense than what the Pens were rolling with. Crosby is now flanked by Dupuis and Hornqvist. Crosby and Hornqvist play a more similar style, which should get both going. While Dupuis is still rusty, he at least has the legs to keep up with Sid that Kunitz doesn't. Phil Kessel now flanks Evgeni Malkin, which makes much more sense as they both play a similar style. Chris Kunitz is on the third line with Nick Bonino, where he should be playing, especially considering the way he's been playing. David Perron was demoted to the fourth line again, while that's probably a little harsh, he hasn't done anything to prove he should remain in the top six.
Tonight begins a two-game road trip against two of the best teams in the NHL at the moment. The Capitals loom on Wednesday, while the Pens will play Nashville tonight. While it's hard to believe that two games in October could be so crucial, these two are for sure. If the Pens drop these next two, a very real possibility, then you have to think the organization makes a coaching change, right?
High Times in Smashville: The Nashville Predators
Entering last season, with the changes to both the roster and coaching staff, many thought they were destined to be a fringe team again. I knew they'd be more and they were. The Preds surprised everyone when they made the playoffs last year; riding the success of goalie Pekke Rinne, rookie Filip Forsberg and captain Shea Weber. Forsberg had an outstanding breakout year to lead the team in points. Weber and partner Roman Josi both had outstanding years on the blue line and Rinne was second in the NHL only to Carey Price in the majority of statistical categories last season. Add veterans James Neal and Mike Ribeiro to the mix and it is no surprise they were good enough to contend in the West.
The offseason was quiet for Nashville. They added a few pieces to the bottom six, but remained relatively steady. Forward Cody Hodgson was the big acquisition, coming over after a few down seasons in Buffalo. Steve Moses was added from the KHL and veteran defenseman Barrett Jackman was added to the already outstanding blue line.
Much like last season, Nashville has gotten off to a fast start. They currently sit 6-1-0 and are tied with Dallas atop the NHL's Central Division. They are winners of three-straight, including a lopsided 5-1 win over Anaheim on Thursday night.
Where is the Preds success coming from?
Let's start with their play at home. Nashville is undefeated at Bridgestone Arena this year going a perfect 4-0. Secondly, their goaltending has once again been outstanding. Pekke Rinne currently has a 5-1 record and a goals against average of 1.85. Rinne is key to the Preds success. Finally, Nashville is getting scoring all over the lineup. Former Penguin James Neal currently paces them with 8 points in 7 games. Filip Forsberg is right behind Neal with six points and five of the Preds starting six defensemen have at least three points.
The Predators are a great team in the NHL's best division. It will be a tough test for the Penguins, especially if they play like they did on Thursday.
The Lowdown on Nashville:
- Record: 6-1-0
- Currently sit in a tie for first in the Central Division.
- 4-0-0 at home thus far.
- Winners of three straight games.
Offseason Acquisitions:
- F Cody Hodson (free agent, Buffalo)
- D Barrett Jackman (free agent, St. Louis)
- F Steve Moses (free agent, Jokerit [KHL])
- F Max Reinhart (trade, Calgary)
Leading Scorers:
- RW James Neal - 8pts (5G-3A)
- LW Filip Forsberg - 6pts (2G-4A)
- C Mike Ribeiro - 5pts (1G-4A)
- LW Colin Wilson - 5pts (1G-4A)
- D Roman Josi - 5pts (2G-3A)
Injury Report:
- No current injuries
Projected Lines:
- Filip Forsberg - Mike Ribeiro - James Neal
- Colin Wilson - Mike Fisher - Craig Smith
- Austin Watson - Cody Hodgson - Calle Jarnkrok
- Eric Nystrom - Paul Gaustad - Gabriel Bourque
Defensive Pairs:
- Shea Weber - Roman Josi
- Ryan Ellis - Seth Jones
- Mattias Ekholm - Barrett Jackman
Pekke Rinne is expected to start in net.
News & Notes From the Penguins
- F Nick Bonino is expected to play tonight after leaving Thursday's game. He was elbowed in th face by Dallas defenseman Jason Demers in the dying moments of the game. He was cleared to practice Friday and Demers was suspended two games for the incident.
- No updates on forwards Eric Fehr or Beau Bennett.
Pens/Preds Matchup Notes:
- The Penguins have won 5 of their last 6 v. Nashville, including three straight and a 3-0 shutout at Bridgestone Arena last October.
- In those six games, the Pens goal differential is a plus-9.
- Sidney Crosby has 9 points in his last three game v. Nashville.
- Nick Bonino, as a member of the Canucks, had two assists v. Nashville in his last game against them.
Projected Pens Lines & Pairs
- Pascal Dupuis - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
- Sergei Plotnikov - Evgeni Malkin- Phil Kessel
- Chris Kunitz - Nick Bonino - Daniel Sprong
- David Perron - Matt Cullen - Bryan Rust
Defensive Pairs:
- Kris Letang - Ian Cole
- Ben Lovejoy- Brian Dumoulin
- Olli Maatta- Rob Scuderi
Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start in net again.
My 3 Keys to the game
2. Play the System: It is quite clear that whatever the players are trying to do, it's not working. I should also note, what the players are doing is not Mike Johnston's system. The Pens need to buy in to what Johnston is selling, because we have seen it work well in the past. Put the egos aside and play the way and in the manner you are expected.
3. Attack Their Defensemen: The Preds have outstanding defenders. They are good at both ends of the ice and the key tonight will be to keep them in front of Pekke Rinne instead of firing on Fleury. If the Penguins can continuously pressure the Preds D, then they should have some success in this game.
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Sergei Plotnikov: I don't know how he played so poorly yet gets rewarded by moving from the fourth line to the second. Regardless, that's what we are looking at. Time for Plotnikov to show up. I'm still waiting for the guy we saw in the preseason. I hope he shows up tonight now that's he's back with Geno.
3. Pascal Dupuis: He is the straw that stirs the drink. The importance of Dupuis in the locker room and on the ice can't be quantified. He's vital and he will need to be. He is so good in all facets of the game that he can be the spark to right this ship. I love him back on the top line with Sid. I think it'll be a huge bonus for the whole team.
What to Know for Watching/Listening
- ROOT Sports has the coverage tonight. Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey with the call beginning at 8:00pm. Dan Potash will have the interviews.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage beginning at 7:30pm.
- Penguins Post Game will follow the game action.
Here is what you need to know if you're listening to tonight's game:
- 105.9 The X, the Penguins app, the Penguins website and iHeart Radio app are all places you can pick up the game tonight.
- Mike Lange and Phil Bourque will have the game call beginning at 8:00pm.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage at 7:00pm. Josh Getzoff will host.
- Penguins Hot Line will follow the game action.
Pens Points:
- ROOT Sports Pregame Keyword: 5pts
- ROOT Sports Post Game Keyword: 5pts
- Pens Radio Keyword: 5pts
Final Statements
I will NOT have a post game show tonight. I will likely be watching the game, but I have some things going on so I won't be able to write up a post-game for it. Be sure to check back over the next few days for any news and I will be back on Wednesday with the Pregame for the showdown with the Capitals.
I think that is it on my end. Thanks again for stopping by and enjoy the game! LETS GO PENS!!!!