Perennial 20 goal scorer Neal has 5 goals because he is saving himself
(See what I did there?)
FFS all I said is he wasn't going all out earlier in the season...he wasn't
lots of guys don't.
Its not even debatable
All I am saying is he will be BETTER down the stretch and in the playoffs because he will turn it up a notch and go to the tough areas. The proof is already there, he played way better after the ASB as many on here and in the media predicted.
I'm not defending anything, just saying he will play BETTER
If you think every NHLer goes 100% all in every regular season game you are out to lunch
So how many games do you speculate that Neal has ‘taken off’ this year. We could simply ‘normalize’ his stats without those games, just to make you happy.
FFS all I said is he wasn't going all out earlier in the season...he wasn't
lots of guys don't.
Its not even debatable
All I am saying is he will be BETTER down the stretch and in the playoffs because he will turn it up a notch and go to the tough areas. The proof is already there, he played way better after the ASB as many on here and in the media predicted.
I'm not defending anything, just saying he will play BETTER
He’s on an active 8-game goal-less drought....I look forward to when he turns it on. Let me know when I should expect it to improve.
I’m most disappointed for his line mates, who have had to share ice-time with a player not trying his hardest, according to you.
So how many games do you speculate that Neal has ‘taken off’ this year. We could simply ‘normalize’ his stats without those games, just to make you happy.
Who said anything about stats...I SAID HE WILL BE BETTER
BETTER THAN HE WAS EARLIER THAN THE SEASON
Anyone who doesn't think players play harder down the stretch or in the playoffs either doesn't watch or is absolutely clueless
Ferland Vs. Vancouver? he played all season like that right?
Who said anything about stats...I SAID HE WILL BE BETTER
BETTER THAN HE WAS EARLIER THAN THE SEASON
Anyone who doesn't think players play harder down the stretch or in the playoffs either doesn't watch or is absolutely clueless
Ferland Vs. Vancouver? he played all season like that
like ####, sometimes I wonder about this place
So all players play harder down the stretch?...so Chucky, Lindholm and Gaudreau can expect a similar improvement. I’m having a hard time following your logic.
The original poster asked who comes out for Neal when he’s healthy. Who would you take out?
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FFS all I said is he wasn't going all out earlier in the season...he wasn't
lots of guys don't.
Its not even debatable
All I am saying is he will be BETTER down the stretch and in the playoffs because he will turn it up a notch and go to the tough areas. The proof is already there, he played way better after the ASB as many on here and in the media predicted.
I'm not defending anything, just saying he will play BETTER
Will he be better than Czarnik, who with an assist today now has 5 points in 6 games since replacing Neal?
Will he be better than Frolik, who is strong defensively and tenacious on the forecheck?
Will he be better than Mangiapane, who looks like he is breaking out offensively and has excellent underlying numbers?
Will he be better than Hathaway, who also kills penalties for us?
If not then Neal shouldn't play. Because he is not better than Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Lindholm, or Bennett.
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The miles Neal has put on in these many long playoff runs certainly has taken a toll. Combine that with a player that already isn't fast, in a league that is playing much faster and that has caused him trouble. Combine that further with not terribly good chemistry with different linemates, a super low shooting percentage, some bad luck here and there, diminishing confidence as a result and he's at where he's at.
Hopefully the injury can bring him back rested and mentally refreshed. The playoffs too are a different style of play and a reset. So there is a chance things can turn around for him - at least to a degree where he's on like a 1 goal every 4 game pace during the playoffs. That would be good. We'll see.
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Last edited by Bunk; 02-26-2019 at 10:02 PM.
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Did Neal suck during the regular season on those teams too...and only turn it on for the playoffs?
Actually no, pretty close to his regular season clip both those years.
About 0.5 PPG and 6 goals in each of those playoffs. Not amazing by any means, and tbh not the totals I was expecting when I went to look up his playoffs stats.
If we go on a run and can get 6 goals out of him on the third line and PP I'd be happy though.
. Gio is the man up top on the PP for a while yet.
