After Five-Point Preseason Outburst, Fiala Confident in Offensive Ability

It really is too bad preseason point totals don't count for something. If they did, Kevin Fiala would have etched his name into the Predators record books for the rest of eternity.
With five points - a goal and four assists - in the second half of Nashville's preseason doubleheader in Florida on Monday, Fiala not only would have obliterated his current career-high of two points in a single game, he also would have tied a franchise record for the most points in a single contest.
And while the offensive outburst won't officially be recorded in history, it still happened - and is worth noting.
Fiala sure did.

"I was surprised," the winger laughed when asked of his point total in Monday's outing. "I hit three and then four and then I was like, 'Oh my gosh,' and then five, so it was a great game for us."
While he's aware putting up a five-spot every night isn't realistic, Fiala enters training camp pleased with what he was able to accomplish over the previous campaign - but he's far from satisfied.
Fiala's first full NHL season in 2017-18 saw him become the type of player the Predators always thought he could be when they selected him 11th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. The Swiss product posted 23 goals and 48 points through 80 games, showing flashes of speed and skill, with an exclamation point coming with the game-winning tally in double overtime in Game 2 of Round Two in the 2018 postseason.
But even so, Fiala made it a point to call out his springtime performance, realizing it takes one thing to play a full season, and then another to perform when it matters most.
"I wasn't good enough in the playoffs," Fiala stated. "[Over the summer, I worked on] my conditioning a little bit more. I'm also trying to get more goals, so I practice my shot every day.
"But it was a good season last year and I feel great. I had a great summer and everything is good right now with me. I'm in great shape, and I'm just very excited to get going."

Fiala's head coach continues to be impressed with the young forward. Skating on Nashville's second line for a majority of 2017-18, Peter Laviolette gave Fiala more opportunities than ever before, a product of morphing into a full-time NHLer.
"From the time when he came [into the NHL], he was just a young kid trying to figure out the League," Laviolette said of Fiala. "Now, he's somebody who's put on a lot of muscle and a lot of power. He already had the skill and the talent, and now it all seems to be coming together."
It would be great news for the Preds if that was indeed the case. Fiala has become one of a number of offensive weapons at Nashville's disposal throughout the lineup, and the 22-year-old knows he has more to give.
His 23 goals last season were one thing, and Fiala says he's placed the target even higher this season - just don't try to get it out of him.
"I set a number, but it's my secret," Fiala laughed. "I won't tell anything. Twenty-three goals were good, but I think I can do better."
If he can, he might just find a way to flirt with that single-game points record when it counts.
"He's a hard worker, he put in a lot of time in the summer and he does the right things and takes care of himself," Laviolette said of Fiala. "He's gotten stronger every year, and he look like he's ready to make more of a difference."