New Offensive Coach But Same Aggressive Style

Contrary to the popular belief that new coach Peter Laviolette has changed the Nashville Predators style, finally making them a true threat in the NHL. Due to Laviolette's offensive coaching style, people assume that the team has made a total switch from the style of play instilled into them by former coach Barry Trotz. While Trotz's coaching style was defensive in nature, the style of play he instilling into the team was an aggressive forechecking style that continues to this day under Laviolette.

The Predators have never been a team that sits on a lead. For one, they've usually had to work their butts off just to get a one-goal lead in a game. After which, they've had to work their butts off just to keep a one-goal lead. And whenever the team has been fortunate enough to have had more than a one-goal lead, they would continue to push their opponent's hard with aggressive forechecking.

That aggresive forechecking has been the main reason the Predators have always been a challenge for any team to play; with limited or still-developing natural talent being Nashville's main reason for any lack of success. Before this season, the Predators have always had to depend on scoring by committee; and even this season, the team's boost in scoring has had more to do with consistent contributions from all forwards, rather than guys like James Neal and rookie Filip Forsberg (and captain Shea Weber on the blueline) providing most of the scoring.

Anyhoo...