Want your chance to be part of the game? E-Mail the NHL on NBC experts. Mike Milbury, Eddie Olczyk and Pierre McGuire will pick the best question out of the bunch to answer sometime during the game. The experts will also answer several other questions during the week, come back here to see past answers as the season rolls on.

CLICK HERE TO E-MAIL PIERRE, EDDIE AND MIKE

Kevin Novak, Atlanta: A lot has been said of the explosive nature of the Penguins offense, but are they strong enough defensively to go deep into the playoffs?
Eddie Olczyk: A lot of times when people talk about defense, they single out the D and not necessarily the team defense. I think team defensively they're strong enough because they play with the puck so much, and that's the best defense in the world. Taking it a step further, I think their D is a little more mobile than it has been in the past. Because they play with the puck a lot, they can camouflage some deficiencies that they have in their own zone. I like their team a lot.

Bob from North Carolina: Why would Tom Renney break up the lines (Jagr-Dubinsky-Avery, Dawes-Shanahan-Gomez, Straka-Callahan-Drury) after increasing scoring in the last month just to get one guy going (Jagr)?  I would much rather have all three lines scoring as they were in February and March.  These lines he has in place now weren't working the first half of the season, and they are not working now.
Pierre McGuire: I think the biggest reason to break up the lines is to be unpredictable going into the playoffs. One of the things you have to do around this time is to get players comfortable with a lot of other players in case of injury, in case you're getting shut down or just to change matchups. There are different ways coaches can stimulate players to play better. I think the one thing that has become a huge trend in the league rather than worrying about lines is worrying about tandems. They worry about two players and rotate a third player on a line. For instance, with the Rangers you usually see Dubinsky and Jagr together - they rotate the other wing. Usually with Drury you see Callahan. Usually with Gomez, you see Shanahan. So, you see different players rotating with those top three lines. It's for flexibility, maneuverability and to keep the other team on guard.

Tommy, Columbus, Ohio: Hey guys with general manager Scott Howson stating he wants to make some key acquisitions this summer, what do you think of the Blue Jackets' chances of making the playoffs next season?
Mike Milbury: If by chance he means he's willing to spend some money, that's a good start because that's what they have to do to get key acquisitions. They have a good coach, they have some good young players, but they certainly have to bolster various facets of their organization. But the fact that they're willing to do it bodes well. So, I think they can make it as long as they're willing to pay the appropriate price for free agents.

Michelle from Delaware: There has been a lot of talk about Martin Biron's ability as a goaltender and the Flyers' defense (which I admit, has been lacking). Why has there not been more talk about Stevens' ability as coach? Does he have what it takes to keep the Flyers in the playoffs if they can make it there?
Pierre McGuire: Well, on the last NHL on NBC game, we saw the Flyers play the Penguins and Stevens didn't coach a very good game. He just didn't create the right matchups. It's very important for him to establish matchups early in the game. He's got a very important matchup player in Mike Richards. By doing that, he creates more of a solid gameplan. John is well-school in terms of how to win. He won in the American Hockey League. He's surrounded by very talented coaches in Jack McIhargey and Terry Murray. So, there's a lot of veteran presence on the bench. Paul Holmgren, their GM, said now's the time for the coaches to lead. They have to create a lot of urgency and also creating energy around their team. They can do this by creating very strong gameplans and by making sure every player is very aware of their role.

Jill McMonagle, Pittsburgh: Do you think that Sidney Crosby's high ankle sprain forced some of the Pens' high potential players to step up? And do you think they will maintain that intensity when he returns or slack off a little?
Pierre McGuire: There's no question certain players had to step up and they did, and that's a positive. Evgeni Malkin, Ryan Whitney, Ryan Malone, Max Talbot, Petr Sykora - clearly those players responded. Sergei Gonchar is another one who's under the radar, but he responded as well. As a group, you have to give them a lot of credit. It's the natural tendency of a team to let down when its best player comes back. But in this case, it's a young team that had playoff disappointment last year when it got run out of the playoffs by Ottawa. I think the Pens understand they can't have that kind of a situation again this year. So, I would expect they'll all maintain the same energy level. That's the one thing I'm pretty convinced of with the Penguins. I'm not sold completely on their core defensive group or goaltending. Those are the two biggest question marks.

Kevin Douglas: Of the teams that are likely to make the playoffs, for which ones would you say goaltending is a big question mark? Montreal's taking a big chance with Price. Who else has a lot riding on untested goalies?
Pierre McGuire: Well, Ottawa clearly. There's obviously an issue there with experience. Also, the Red Wings because you don't know about (Dominik) Hasek's situation and (Chris) Osgood hasn't been consistent. I think when you look at the Montreal situation, it doesn't have a lot of NHL-winning proven ability, but it has a lot of below-the-NHL-proven winning ability. And let's not forget about what Cam Ward did with the Carolina Hurricanes as a rookie goalie. Not only did he lead them to the Stanley Cup Final and win a Game 7 against Edmonton, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy. Carey Price comes into the NHL with way better credentials than Cam Ward did, so let's not poo-poo that. I think it's very important.

NHL on NBC: Coming up ... Getty Conference finals on NBC May 17: DAL @ DET (1:30 p.m. ET) May 18: PHI @ PIT (3:00 p.m. ET) Complete NHL on NBC coverage

Evan Szymkowicz: Do you think that seeing how the Penguins and Malkin have matured as a team without Crosby, their general manager should seriously consider trading him?
Mike Milbury: If he wants to find a new job, then he should consider it. I think it would be insane. Any GM would die to be in his position. I think Ray Shero is smart enough to know he has a tandem that is remarkable in Crosby and Malkin. And who knows, when he comes back, they may have some moments of angst with guys trying to fit into the right spots. It's a luxury to have them both, and they'd be foolhardy to do anything but keep them together for years to come.

Greg in Cannmore, Cannada: Is Hossa's lack of production due to his not understanding his role? Is he a "triggerman" or a "set-up" guy since his arrival to the Penguins? It's hard to tell.
Mike Milbury: I think his strength is his goal scoring. He can make a play, but there's no question they'll need him to be a productive member of the team. Having said that, I don't think there will be any doubt about his production level going up once Crosby gets back in the lineup. So, I think any assessment of Marian Hossa and his goal-scoring ability should be held tight until Crosby gets back and they have a full complement of players.

Milley in Seattle: What are your thoughts on Jordan Staal's sophomore slump?
Mike Milbury: It happens to the best of players, but particularly with young players. They're going to run through periods of time when they run hot and cold, and that's just what's happened to Jordan Staal. I don't think there's any reason to do anything but be patient with this guy because his skill level is such that he will come around. And there's no question of character or any other issues. He's a terrific young asset. If they ever put him on the block for trades, there would be a list of 29 other teams interested. With a kid that young, with that much talent and character, he's someone you want to hang onto because you're building a stable of forwards that is second to none in the NHL.

Suad Cejvanovic, Toronto: With Crosby's latest time off, do you think there are enough games left for Crosby and Hossa to gel prior to the playoffs?
Eddie Olczyk: That's the million dollar question going into the playoffs. I think both players are so skilled that it won't take a lot of time to come together. But I guess the question is will they be able to learn how to play together and know where each other is going to be in a short period of time? I think there's enough time because they're both so good. But whether or not they mesh together is a whole different story. I think there's plenty of time to find out, but whether or not they do is probably the bigger question for me.

Barry Smaha: The Pens' chances of going anywhere deep into the playoffs is doubtful in my mind with their who's who goaltending situation, and I would like to know your comments on that.
Eddie Olczyk: There're no ifs, ands or buts. Marc-Andre Fleury is their goaltender. Ty Conklin has had a great run, and he's a big reason they are where they are. With Fleury's injury, he stepped in and did a tremendous job. Fleury is the No. 1 goaltender. He gained a lot of experience last year. Ha had 40 wins. He was a big reason they had the success they did, and he got his feet wet in the playoffs. Now, it's his opportunity to take it to another level. To me, it's Marc-Andre Fleury hands down.

Lyle Jones, Galveston, Tex.: Do you guys think that the Islanders wish they wouldn't have given the long-term deal to goalie Rick DiPietro? 
Eddie Olczyk: I guess it's easy to think that way now because of the hip surgery. But you figured he'd be the goaltender for the next 10+ years. When he's playing well, he's one of the top-5 goalies in the league and probably a bargain over the long-term of the deal. And that allows Garth Snow to be aggressive in the free agent market and gives them a little bit more freedom when it comes to the salary cap. Injuries are always a part of the game. Any time you have major surgery, it's not routine, but it sounds like this is something he can come back from and move on.

Print this Email this Blog this  IM this

MORE FROM NHL

NHL Section Front

Still some fight left in Flyers Flyers defensemen Timonen, Coburn close to return Stars say now time for Turco to end Detroit hex Red Wings' Franzen to also miss Game 5 Clement: Lidstrom a true gem of a defenseman   Special feature: Swedes playing super for Wings Special feature: Stanley Cup surprise players Who has Edge in conference finals? You decide Impact players in conference finals Opinion: Canadiens to be Cup contender in '09 NHL Section Front   Add NHL headlines to your news reader: