Guentzel and Aberg growing up fast
NASHVILLE The playoffs have a way of speeding up a player’s development.
Five games can feel like 20, while 20 games can feel like a season. It’s why Matt Murray entered this year feeling less like a rookie and more like a grizzled veteran after hoisting the Stanley Cup.
One year later, the same thing is happening to Jake Guentzel.
The 22-year-old’s playoff beard still needs work, but with 12 goals in 21 games, he’s established himself as a clutch sniper, much more than he did in the regular season.
To a lesser degree, Nashville’s Pontus Aberg is going through a similar growth spurt.
A rookie who bounced back and forth between the NHL and the minors this season, Aberg led the Predators’ AHL affiliate with 31 goals and 52 points in 56 games.
But it’s been his play in the post-season — two goals and five points in 12 games — that has really opened eyes as to his potential.
“There’s been a lot of growth watching Pontus from when he first got here with the North American game, his development physically and his maturity as a player,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said of the 23-year-old.
“As the playoffs were approaching, we were able to start to utilize more players. He was a guy who was always in our mind as a guy who could come up and possibly contribute.”
After recording an assist in a four-game sweep of the Blackhawks, Aberg did not play in the second-round series against the Blues. But in the Western Conference final against the Ducks, he scored the winning goal in Game 5 and picked up a pair of assists in another win in Game 6.
Aberg had Nashville’s only goal in a 4-1 loss in Game 2 of the final against Pittsburgh.
“His speed and his skill is excellent. He’s taking good strides in our organization to put himself in a position to be here and play in these games,” Laviolette said.
The injuries keep piling on for the Penguins.
Already missing Kris Letang for the playoffs, the team could also be without centre Nick Bonino who arrived in Nashville on crutches with his left foot in a walking boot.
Head coach Mike Sullivan said Bonino would be a game-time decision for Saturday’s Game 3 after he took a slapshot off the inside of his foot from P.K. Subban in Game 2. He missed several shifts, but returned to the game.
“I think everyone is prepared, regardless of who is in,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “Everyone’s going to do whatever it takes to make sure they can play. If not, someone else who steps in is ready to take on that challenge. That’s just the nature of this time of year.”
The Predators are back home. But forward James Neal says the team has opted to stay together in a hotel far from the rink. Based on the crowds lining the main strip of South Broadway, it’s not surprising.
“I’m going to stay away from Broadway for a bit,” said Neal, laughing. “No, it’s a great atmosphere and a great place to play with Bridgestone (Arena) being right on Broadway. People can walk out from Tootsies and throw their beer in a garbage can and they’re right in the rink and they can get another one and enjoy a hockey game. It’s a unique atmosphere. It’s probably the best in the league.
“I know when friends and family come down, they can’t get enough of Nashville.”