Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - A fully healthy Penguins lineup? Is this allowed?

Episode Date: January 20, 2022

The Pittsburgh Penguins are fully healthy! Yes, you read that right. All players have returned from COVID protocol and there are no injuries to any of the regulars. Hunter first touches on that in the first segment and what the top 12 should look like once Mike Sullivan deems it fit for Heinen and Aston-Reese to officially return. Could there be some changes along the way? If Sullivan does make some changes, what will they be? Hunter also touches on that before previewing Thursday's game against the Senators. Was this team always destined to be bad again? Will Matt Murray get the start? He also speaks about Murray and why he deserves to get a rocking ovation since this could be the first time he's at PPG since the trade (if he shows up since he's sick). All that, plus much more on this episode of Locked On Penguins.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your Locked-on Penguins. Your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network. Your team every day. Happy Wednesday. Welcome to another edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm, of course, your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember, you can follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes.

You can also follow the show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. And, of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen of the day. A lot to get into for today. episode. We got some new practice lines. The Penguins are now COVID-free, at least knock on wood for now. Will Danton Hayin and Zach Astromis play on Thursday? You know, you're going to find out your answer to those questions. Well, I'm going to give you my thoughts on that in this episode. We're also going to do a full preview against the senators for that game. And of course, you know, touch on Matt Murray, him making his return. He's not expected to start, but, you know, he is going

to be there going to a little Matt Vensel, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. I thought wrote a really nice piece. going to touch on that a little bit. And then the Penguins, they had all of their postponed games finally rescheduled during that three-week window, which was supposed to be the Olympic break. But obviously, that's not happening. Now we're going to go into that as well. So first things first. So the biggest news of today was, so Dayton Hinen and Zach Aston-Reece came out of COVID protocol,

as did Casey to Smith. Huge news. well, I mean, well, it's huge news for all of them. I'm not going to sit here and hope Casey DeSmith is sick or something that's just really screwed up. And, you know, that would just, again, that's evil. But in terms of lines, so Ashton Wies and Hinen were skating with Redeem Zahorna because he's still on the taxi squad as kind of like a fifth line. The lines still were being the same from the Penguins last game.

Gensel, Crosby, Rust, Zucker, Malkin, Cappin, Simone Carter Rodriguez, Boyle, Bluger McGinn. So when these two players are ready, and, you know, I think as of right now, I don't think Hein and Ann Ashton Reese will play on Thursday. That's just my guess, just because, you know, Sullivan's been, he's just been more cautious with players coming out of Code Protocol. Remember, Brock McGinn came out, I think, a day before the game in L.A., he didn't play the next game. You know, he came back of the game after that.

You know, Brian Rust, you know, he came out. I think it was, what, a couple days before the last game against Vegas. He was able to play, but, you know, they also had like a little bit of a break, I think, you know, in between that as well. So, in my opinion, I think they might sit out that game and then maybe return on Friday in Columbus. But that's just, that's what I'm, that's what my thinking is right now, at least. But, you know, the penguins, there are no injuries for this team outside of Drew Connor. I did not think I would say that at any point this season.

Obviously, things can change. And knowing the Penguins luck, I'm sure there's going to be something ridiculous that happens tomorrow. But as of right now, the Penguins have their top 12 forwards fully healthy. They have their top six defensemen fully healthy. And they have both goaltenders fully healthy as well. It took the halfway point to this NHL season to say that. But the Pittsburgh Penguins are a fully healthy hockey team.

And it feels so good to say Once Hinen and Ashtonries are in the lineup, I would expect the lines to look like this. Obviously, Gensel Crosby and Rust, Zuckerman, Malkin, and Kappan. I know some people were not big fans of that line being reunited. You know, maybe some people want Dayton Hinen up there. I'm sure if one or both of Zokker and Kappan continue to struggle,

especially Kappin, he's just not been good this year. I would not be surprised if Mike Sullivan, you know, just changes enough. I think that's the main thing. I mean, you know, I've seen a lot of Penguins fans clamor for Hinen to be up in Zucker spot or, you know, maybe Rodriguez to be in Kappenden's spot. I wouldn't mind that personally. I mean, Rodriguez has played better than Kappan this year. He probably deserves top six minutes a lot more over Kappan. And he's gone a little cold the last few games.

I mean, obviously he was not going to continue at that torrid pace that he was on for the rest of the season. Though he has gone a little cold. I think, you know, maybe elevating him up to Malcolon. line for at least a few shifts moving forward would be pretty good, but I'm not really sure if Sullivan is going to do that, at least in my opinion. The third line when healthy, it's going to be Hinen, blue, it's, no, no, it's going to be, excuse me, it's going to be Hinen, Carter, and Rodriguez. I mean, there are not many better third lines than that in the league, especially with how Evan has been for this season. Jeff Carter's been really good, and Denton Hinen Hinen has almost 10

goals already. Just a really deep top nine, one of the best top nines, I think, in Lee. And then, of course, the fourth line will be Zach Ashtonreys, Teddy Bluger, and Brock McGinn. And basically, of course, you know, a throwback to last year's Aston Reese Blueger, Tanev line. That's going to be a lot of fun to watch once those two are back in the lineup. I'm assuming there are no injuries tomorrow and assuming Mike Sullivan does not put them in

the lineup, the Penguins will probably debut that lineup in Columbus on Friday. and, you know, everyone, every player on this team will be in the best position to succeed. You know, I can't say that enough enough, you know. You're not having, like, you know, compared to last year, you'd have Teddy Blugher playing top six minutes at times. I think Brandon Tannib was playing top six minutes, you know, at times. A whole bunch of other players were just, you know, they weren't in their respective roles that they're best at. Now, hopefully for the rest of the season, or at least for a good chunk of time, we can actually see what this team looks like when they're healthy and how they play when they're healthy.

As right now, it looks like Brian Boyle is probably the 13th forward. Dominic Simone is the 14th forward. I don't really have a problem with that. I know a lot of people like Redeems O'Hourna and I want to see more of him too. He has his contract for next year is a one-way deal. So I'm thinking just because of how they signed him, you know, they're going to give him every opportunity and chance to make the team next year. out of camp.

But right now, he is on the taxi squad. It's expected to go through the all-star break. I'm not sure if they are going to continue the taxi squads after the All-Star break. But assuming, I know they made changes to COVID protocol and now they're not going to test asymptomatic players. But I still think, just you don't want to risk anything. They should keep the taxi squads for the rest of the season.

I mean, honestly, at least until the pandemic, you know, slightly goes away. I mean, we're still, what, basically two years into this shit. And, you know, it's not closer to going away as it was back then. So me personally, I would keep the taxi squads, at least for a little bit longer. But that is the lineup that you are going to see at least by Friday. If, you know, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but, you know, maybe we'll see it tomorrow. Who knows? Goaltending-wise, Sullivan did not have an announcement on that today, at least not from what I, you know,

read on social media and stuff and just, you know, the press. leases. If I had to guess, I think they're going to go with Louis DeMing. I think they're going to save Tristan for the division game in Columbus. Though, honestly, you could start either goalie in this game, and I don't think anyone would care. Both of these teams are not that good. I mean, the blue jackets are so far behind in the metropolitan division. Columbus right now, they're 11 points back of Boston from the 8th spot in the east from Pittsburgh-wise. they have two games in hand on the Penguins, and Pittsburgh is 16 points above them. Columbus is 17 and 18 and won this season.

They are the only team in the league to have only one overtime loss. All their games have basically ended in regulation. So if I were a betting man, I would say that game on Friday will end in regulation, though now that I'm saying that, I'm sure it's going to go to overtime and maybe the Penguins will give them their second, only their second OT loss of the year. But I'm actually, I'm looking forward to that game. They haven't played Columbus in a couple years, though that's said. you know, that's just how Mike Sullivan sees it with, you know, starting the goalie in a

divisional game versus not in a divisional game. That's what I think he's going to do. If it's flip-flot, you know, I'll be wrong there. That's for sure. Coming up in the next segment, though, we are going to have a full preview of the Ottawa senators. Touch on Matt Murray and just, you know, how I'm really still rooting for him overall, just both as a player and a person.

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Use promo code Locked 15 and get 15% off your order. That's promo code locked 15 for 15% off at Bilt.com. All right, welcome back to this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hon.Hoddy. You're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Also follow this shows Twitter at L.O. Arnold War Penguins. So second meeting of the year against the senators, the Penguins, of course, lost the first one in Ottawa.

what was that a 5 to 3, 6-3 final score. The Penguins, they were down 5-0, then they scored three goals to make it 5-3, and that Ottawa ended up icing the game away. I mean, they were not going to score five goals in like 10 minutes or something like that. They made it a little scary for a second, but it was just too little too late.

That was honestly one of the Penguins' worst games of the season. It happened right around mid-November, and after that, that was on the back-to-back where they got blown out in that game, of course, and then they went to Washington, got a bunch of players back from the first COVID-out, outbreak, including Cindy Crosby, and got boat race in that game. I'm pretty sure the final score was six to one or something like that.

But, you know, after that, the season really started to turn a member of the game the week later against Vancouver at home when Brian Russ was playing well. That, I think, around that time was when they started to turn around. And now you see the Penguins are only two points out of third. Of course, Washington won on Tuesday night. But overall, Ottawa lineup-wise, Brady Kutuk, Josh Norris, and Drake Batherson. Kachuk is obviously one of the biggest ones to watch out here for one of the best young players I think in the league. He was definitely going to make Team USA had all of the players actually gone to the Olympics.

Points-wise this season, I can find it here. You know, 24 points in 29 games played, so 12 of those are goals. Though he hasn't scored in his last five games, he has two points in those last five games, but both of them are assists. but, you know, I never really bought the hype about the census here that they were going to challenge for a playoff spot or something. I remember listening, I think it was 32 Thoughts, the podcast with Elliot and Jeff Merrickon. That is, I like to think that I run a pretty good podcast here. I hope I do, at least I know a lot of you love listening to it. That podcast is the gold standard.

I will say that to the day I die. My goal is to have a podcast just with, you know, everything they do. I would love to just, you know, have it be like that. You know, obviously I want to do my own thing, but, you know, they do a tremendous job with that show. If you don't listen to it, you got to do it both times a week when it comes out. Anyways, you know, they both had heard that Eugene Mellonick was like, well, you know, we got to make the playoffs this year. That's what I'm looking for. but now you go to the standings and how far out are they?

I mean, they're at the basement. They are only 11 and 19 and 2 this year. Only the Montreal Canadians at 8 and 25 and 5 are worse than them. And that just goes to show that, you know, they're still not close. And a lot of that has to do, you know, their forward depth is not that good. I mean, you know, Stutzelow on the second line is good. Sanford is all right. But, you know, you got Formanton, you know, Nick Paul, Watson, Gambry.

Chris Tierney, Adam Goddette. I mean, this is not a good forward course. I mean, you have a good top line. You have Tim Stutzla who is going to turn into a really good player. Sanford is, eh, but like St. Louis really wasn't even using him. I don't think anyway. So where did this talk come from that they were going to make the playoffs with a forward core or forward group, excuse me, that looks like that.

defensively, I mean, Shabbat is incredible. I love watching him. He's one of the best young defensive in the league. But, you know, Bronstrom, I mean, he's on the bottom pairing, Holden on the second pairing, you know, Zob on the second pairing. I mean, I don't even know who Shabbat's partner is here. Burn a Docker. I actually do not.

I have never even heard of that player. It is not often that I don't hear of players that are on teams because I like to think that I follow the league. league wide, you know, just follow the penguins here. But they have a lot of players on here where it's just like, I mean, there was never going to be a shot that they would make the playoffs here. I think they're still, I mean, at least a few years away. They got to add both to the forward corps and their defensive groups

if they want to make the playoffs goalie-wise. So Matt Murray is going to travel on this trip, but he will not be playing on Thursday. That was per one of the Senators report that I saw on Twitter, day. So it'll be one of to fill up Gostensen or Anton Foresburg will be starting for us, Ottawa. Remember, Gustafsson actually started against Pittsburgh

in the first matchup, and, you know, he allowed three goals, but he was still pretty good in that game prior to that. And, you know, I just want to say this. I hope tomorrow, when Matt Murray is there, you know, he's on the bench, which I think he will be. He's traveling with the team. I really hope he gets a rocking thunderer. ovation from PbPBJ Paints Arena.

I understand that the end of his tenure was not the best. He didn't play good hockey. I get that. But you know what? The dude is human. He just lost his dad. I want to say a year and a half to two years before this all went down. Obviously he hasn't been the same goalie since.

You know, that potentially has a lot to do with that. But he was so instrumental in getting the penguins, those back-to-back Stanley Cups. They do not win those cups without him. Remember in 2017, Flurry started it, Murray finished it because Sullivan knew he could go back to him. He knew he was healthy and he was a 937 goalie, the rest of the way.

You know, I know there is a weird segment of Penguins fans that could never, I guess, get it out of their system that he was replacing a franchise icon and Mark Andre Fleury. I never understand those kind of fans. I mean, those are people that I think root for the players, root for a singular player, but not the team success overall. And trust me, you know, back when I was, you know, 18 to 19 years old watching those teams and just on social media, sorry for the it in my eye for those that are watching on YouTube, you know, just those, you know, that I saw some weird takes, you know, even on message boards and everything.

I'm just like, are you rooting for the penguins to win or are you just rooting for them to lose just because Mark Andre Fleury was not in the lineup? I mean, I really didn't understand it. You know, Matt Benzel, you know, he has. had a great story on the Post-Cazette's website. He's had a nice chat with him. And, you know, Murray even confirmed, you know, he misses being with the Penguins dearly to this day.

And just, you know, the story overall, it just had a lot of quotes, you know, as I loaded up here to just, you know, to take a look at these. You know, he said he enjoyed every second of his time in Pittsburgh. Things happen the way that they're happy. Just try to make the most of it. He says he has no complaints, no regrets. I'm just super thankful that I got to spend all those years there. he also says he cherishes the friendships he made with guys like Brian Russ and Brian Dumlin.

He said they were all so tight in Wilkesbury. Remember, they all came up together for that, you know, that youth movement during the 2015-16 season. So it's just, you know, I'm sure he's going to, you know, give all them a hug, something like that. I'm just really hoping when the Penguins do run a tribute video for him and they will. I mean, the guy was amazing in back-to-back Stanley Cups. I just really hope he gets the ovation he deserves. I don't want to hear a singular boo from anyone in the crowd when I'm watching back here at home.

And I hope no one else at home is booing him either because, you know, again, I understand he struggled towards the back half of it. And, you know, he wasn't that good in a couple of playoff runs after those back-to-back Stanley Cups. But you know what? He was so good in those first two runs that, you know, it trumps that. And I think honestly, I mean, those two runs, I'll say it right now, he was better than what Mark Andre

Florey was in 2009. He wasn't as good as Florey was in 2008. But compared to what Florey did in 2009, if you look at the numbers and all that, I know he had the big save on the Litchstrom at the end. But I would take Murray's two years over, you know, Fleury's run any day of the week, you know, at least that's my opinion. So excited to see him back. I know he's not going to be starting. but, you know, I'm just, I'm glad that he, you know, he seems to be doing, but he seems to be playing a lot better ever since he was called up as well.

You know, it doesn't look like, again, that he's going to be starting in this game. I think he's going to be with the team, but, you know, it's still great that, you know, he's starting to turn his game around a little bit just because he's been banged up all year. And honestly, the last couple of years has been really hard on him. But coming up in the next segment, we're going to go into the three-week window for the new Penguins games. Just, you know, give you all the dates in case you all the looking, you know, buying season tickets and all that, you know, and just, you know, all that good jazz. But before we get to that, Ben Lyme will like to wish you a happy new betting year as we continue our march to the playoffs and beyond. Ben Lyme remains the number one spot for all this bets, all the best sports wagering action for 2022. It's a new year and that means it's a new updated desktop and mobile website to sign them today and receive a 30% off welcome bonus on your first deposit.

Just use the promo code, excuse me, locked on to get started from football, basketball, hockey, boxing, and UFC, write your favorite Vegas casino games. Don't wait to take advantage of all the amazing offers. available for 2022. That has been online where the game starts. All right. So we're back here on this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Also follow the shows, Twitter, LO, Arnold, Penguin. So getting to the February schedule, remember, it was supposed to be, you know, from the second to about, you know, the 24th or something like that, that there wasn't going to be any

games because of the Olympic break. Obviously, there's no longer the case. So the Penguins will have a little mini by week from February 1st until February 8th. So they'll play Washington on the first at home. After that, they will be off from the second until the 8th. Well, after that game. So again, it's basically still a week. They will probably be able to go maybe go on a little vacation, something like that. So they will not play again until that next Monday when they'll go to Boston to play the Bruins.

Remember, that was one of the postponed games that was supposed to take place last month. But, you know, here's the new date. February 8th in Boston. The next one, February 10th in Ottawa. Remember, they were supposed to go to Ottawa. That one got canceled due to like seating requirements, something like that. And then remember the other one that was supposed to be in New Jersey. That one got postponed.

So that will now be February 13th, 1 o'clock start. And then the game that was supposed to be in Philadelphia with that, almost like a home-and-home situation, it'll be in Pittsburgh, February 15th, 7 o'clock start time. Then the other one that was supposed to be in Toronto, if you would be. weeks back. That will now be February 17th at 7 o'clock. And then February 20th, they will play the Carolina Hurricanes. That's a Sunday at 1 o'clock. And then New Jersey on the 24th. So they will be done with New Jersey by basically this time next month. They will not have to play them for the rest of the season. And then they'll have the Rangers on the 26th. I think that one was already

scheduled overall. So in case you are looking at, if you are listening to this podcast and you're thinking about going to some home games. February 1st against Washington, February 15th, against the Philadelphia Flyers, February 20th against the Carolina Hurricanes, February 24th against the New Jersey Devils, and February 26th against the New York Rangers. I believe I have all of those rights.

If I go to the Penguins Dwer account here, I better not get beamed or anything. I believe I got this. Oh, one more. one more. So there's a new home game on April 29th. It was supposed to be against Carolina. That one will now be against Columbus. That will be the Penguins last regular season game. So the regular season will officially end on April 29th. Now, only one as well. So there was also an away game with the Islanders from March 10th. That one now has been moved to April 12th. That'll

take place in Belmont on Long Island. So those are all the scheduled changes for the Penguins. You know, the league just unleashed it all today with all the postpone games that they had to do. And they have now confirmed that they will be able to finish the regular season by April 29th. So as of right now, we have close to three months left in the NHL regular season. I mean, it's pretty crazy that, you know, in close to three short months, we're going to have the Stanley Cup playoffs right back here. You know, these seasons just fly by. It honestly never ceases to amaze me how fast these fly by.

I mean, every year I say that, it gets quicker and quicker. So I think that we'll do it, though, for this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I really appreciate all of you listening to this one. No, I'm just, again, I'm excited to watch this team now when it's fully healthy. You know, it was always a matter of if not when. Well, it looks like we've gotten the when part. Remember, full game recap episode comes tomorrow night after the game against other senators at home. And then we'll have a full game recap on Frot.

Friday's episode against Columbus. So, you know, we're still chugging along for this podcast. I apologize for only three episodes last week. But, you know, that's the thing in the past. You know, full steam ahead this week. And, of course, I thank all of you for continuing to tune in for this pod. So thank you all so much for listening to this one. And I'll be back with you on Thursday evening for a full game recap for the Penguins matchup against the senators.