James Neal - Shootout Specialist

Posted by pttsbrghkid on 3/27/2011 3:58:00 PM (view original):
James Neal - Shootout Specialist

Nice to see as well. I really like this kid. He has hit about a half-dozen posts since he came over, but he hits and backchecks like crazy. Can't wait to see hiim on a line with Sid.

Nice to see some of the walking wounded start coming back as well.

And he knocked Chara off his skates.  He pretty much won me over right then and there.



And no kidding, I pretty much forgot Comrie was even on the roster.

I know he was hurt for much of the season, but I honestly expected him to tally 20 goals this year. He'll be lucky to get 1.

10:34 AM:
Letestu skated in his old slot between Kovalev and Neal during the line rushes. It's a great sign that maybe he will be returning to the ice. Here are the rest of the combos:

Neal-Letestu-Kovalev
Kunitz-Staal-Kennedy
Dupuis-Talbot-Conner
Rupp-Adams-Asham
(Tangradi-Comrie-Godard)

Horribly officiated came tonight. We totally were flat in the third period, and we didn't get the bounces tonight the Flyers got. Now gotta hold on to 4th place. I'm still proud of the way this team has battled through injuries all season.

so pitt gets tampa in the first round.  should be a pretty good series.  hope crosby can make it back sometime during it.  or that pitt is winning enough to not need him back right away.  :>

I'm not crazy about the matchup.  With Stamkos and St Louis, the Ning have more firepower right now.  Pens will struggle to score 3 goals in any give game.

The obvious observation is that Fleury will have to come up big.

My hope is that Roloson's age will result in fatigue and that Stamkos and Hedman struggle in their playoff debuts.

Our power play (or lack thereof) is going to cost us this series. It has stunk all year, why should the post season be different now?? We look like a bunch of trees in the forest, just standing at the blueline waiting for the puck to be dumped in, instead of skating hard after it when we do dump it in.

E X H A L E

Ditto!
Great to see Neal get the game winner. This kid just never quits. What a great pickup by GMRS!!

My favorite thing about him so far is how good he is postionally.  I can't tell if it's how well he gets the system, or just really good ice awareness/instincts, or both.  But I love how he gets himself open.

I've been praying for the goal that opens the floodgates for him.  Hope this was it.


And how f-ing awesome is Asham?

IN RAY WE TRUST!

Thats why Asham keeps finding jobs, when the playoffs come around, he's an entirely different player.

Posted by holer on 4/21/2011 3:46:00 PM (view original):
Thats why Asham keeps finding jobs, when the playoffs come around, he's an entirely different player.

I couldn't stand him when he was with the Flyers, and I hated him this season, thinking what a waste of space. Totally different player in the playoffs.