The Nittany Lions have risen from the depths of the unranked ahead of their season opener to a top-15 ranked team heading into their Big Ten home opener against No. 1 Michigan.
While having a few names in the top-15 of scoring nationally, the Penn State hockey team would not be where it is now without solid overall play from every line that steps out on the ice.
Penn State has 17 players that have registered at least one goal this season and 23 who have at least one point, leading the nation in both categories.
Head coach Guy Gadowsky says the team is comfortable with whatever line is out there at any time, and that is no accident.
"That's something that we've tried to achieve," Gadowsky said. "So, we'd like to think that's by design."
With added depth this year and such a skilled roster returning the Nittany Lions have competition at every position during the week as everyone is being challenged for a lineup spot on the weekend.
Every night, these young men know they must give it their all if they want to suit up for a game.
There are healthy scratches for each game, and this season those names have varied night in and night out.
Senior forward Connor McMenamin believes giving it your all is the only way to ensure you won't be one of those scratches.
"It comes down to some guys having to show that they can play the system," McMenamin said. "Otherwise, they're not going to play the next night. You're not going to be in the lineup automatically."
The spots in a lineup are not guaranteed, which is not dependent entirely on gameplay.
Players cite the attitude that is brought to practice can help keep your name off the scratch list.
A deep roster and skaters fighting for a spot to play in front of the Roar Zone create a healthy but competitive environment.
Despite the competitive environment, the team is there for each other and supports their teammates by helping each other understand how they can best help win hockey games.
Junior forward Tyler Paquette is coming off a two-point series in a sweep of Wisconsin on the road, but he says everyone knows what they must bring to the table to find success.
"Everyone up and down the roster, we know our roles," Paquette said. "We know what we have to bring to the table to help our team win."
Junior forward Xander Lamppa also played a significant role in Penn State's opening Big Ten series sweep of Wisconsin, tallying two assists and a goal.
Lamppa understands how important it is to have everyone playing at a high level every night.
Without the success of the forwards on the four lines, the Nittany Lions might not be sitting on an 8-0 start.
Gadowsky talks about how he doesn't necessarily rank the lines one through 4, and while someone has to go out and start the game, every line can play just as well as the other.
According to Lamppa, this mentality is necessary to find success.
"We need all of our forwards every night," Lamppa said. "Whoever we have playing that night to go. So, it's good that we have that mentality that there are no 1, 2, 3, 4 best lines, and everyone can roll."
The Nittany Lions are a top-three Big Ten team in eight statistical categories as of now, and without a deep pocket of skilled players, they might not be off to the best start in program history.
