Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Another test passed!

Episode Date: April 10, 2021

It's a small test, but a test nonetheless as the Pittsburgh Penguins took down the New Jersey Devils on Friday night 6-4. There probably could've been more goals but hey, 10 goals in one game is definitely something to celebrate. In this episode, Hunter recaps the game and begs Mike Sullivan to keep Jared McCann on the top PP unit even when Evgeni Malkin comes back. Who comes off in that scenario? What would PP2 look like if it happened? Hunter answers that, plus talks about the improved play of Casey DeSmith and how there's going to be an interesting decision come playoff time between the 2 goalies. Who should start? Finally, he talks about the impending trade deadline and if the Pens will indeed make a move.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.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. 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. This Friday evening episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast, I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow these shows, Twitter, at L-O underscore Penguins.

Today's episode is brought to you by Lockroom. You can download the app and join me next week. I'm not really sure what day. be doing yet to get in on the action. Locker room changing the way we talk sports. So we're wrapping up this week of the podcast with another big win for the Penguins. That is their second in a row after dropping two straight against the Rangers and the Bruins. They win tonight in a wild one against the Devil's 6 to 4.

That is the highest scoring game against New Jersey thus far this season. Usually you see Lindy Rough teams kind of play those little 2-1, 3-2, sometimes even 1-0 kind of games. But, you know, tonight was anything but that. That being said, we probably could have seen five more goals in this game if it weren't for McKenzie Blackwood and Casey to Smith making some unreal saves. I'm going to get to Casey to Smith's ridiculous save later on in the episode. But, you know, this was a big win for Pittsburgh. It gets them to two points now out of first place. They are now still in third place.

I think, of course, the Islanders lost tonight to the Rangers 4 to 1. The Capitals ended up beating the Sabres, 4 to 3. So those two teams are tied at the top of the east. And then, like I said, the Penguins, just two points. behind them going into their next matchup which will be on Sunday against the devils but overall I liked the penguins game tonight even though some of the underlying numbers weren't super pretty I mean they only controlled 40 close to 45% of the shot attempts at 5E5 if you go to all situations it gets a little bit better 46% they did lead in high danger 10 to 8 at all situations

their expected goals all situations was pretty good 3.67 compared to 2.77 for the devils on that 5v 5e 5 though The Devils love the way and expected goals for 2.21 compared to 1.85 for the Penguins. So a little bit of luck was on their side tonight, but also the Devils were a bit of lucky with a couple of their goals. I mean, Crystal Tang, kind of a bad, just a bad situation, I guess. I mean, he was playing that perfectly. He had the right read, but, you know, the puck just deflects off his skate and pass Casey to Smith. And then Brian Dumont literally shot it on net on to Smith, and it just goes right in to make it 5 to 4, which, you know, scared me and a lot of other Penguins fans watching the game just because, you know,

Devils came really close to tying it. I think 30 to 45 seconds later, I think Ty Smith had a shot from the point that skittered just wide of the far post. So yeah, we were kind of lucky that this game did not end up going to overtime. If you look at scoring chances for the Devils led 22 to 18 at 5E5, all situations. It was 2927 for New Jersey. So New Jersey probably carried the play a bit more than Pittsburgh tonight. But overall, you know, you take these wins when you can get them, especially when, you know,

You still have, what, four forwards out due to injury? Teddy Blugher still did not return tonight. We'll see if he comes back on Sunday against New Jersey. I'm honestly going to stop talking about Teddy Blugher with his return because I think I've promised everyone on this podcast that he's going to come back twice now. And I've been old takes exposed or cold takes exposed basically every time. So I am done talking about that until he actually decides to come back and that he is cleared from injury.

So, but, you know, I guess all I'll say is on that is that hopefully it is soon. But, you know, getting back to the overall game and the goals, great to see Brian Russ notch a couple tonight, especially on the powerplay. He let that rip from the right circle, just a gorgeous eye. I honestly did not think that it went in at first. I thought it just hit the far post and went out. But, you know, I think he went bar down and then it just basically clanked right out still. That was awesome.

Jared McCann again on the Power Play. The Penguins Power Play actually had two goals tonight, and I think it's gone up now past 15th in the league. I saw someone tweet out that I think it's now 14th over. overall in the league, it wouldn't surprise me if it's now maybe 12th or 11th. So, you know, the Penguins Powerplay, which was pretty bad to start the year, starting to round into form again, and it's better than league average right now. So that is huge. You know, I had regrets always said it on Penguin's Twitter throughout this season. You can have a good power play by a bad

penalty kill, but you cannot have a bad power play and a bad penalty kill. That does not exist, and you will not win a Stanley Cup championship if both of your special teams units are bad. You can have the best goal tending in the world. You can have the best 5-5 numbers in the world. But if your special teams are total trash, you are not going to win anything, and I will stand by that. Take it his as well. Also, great to see some of the not-so-good players getting on the score sheets,

such as Colton Severe. This was his third goal of the season. I think this was his first goal in six, seven weeks. I honestly don't even remember the last time he scored. I think it might have been against the Washington Capitals. I think, honestly, prior to this game, I think both of his goals this year were against Washington. Don't quote me on that.

I know one of them was, but I think the other one was as well. And I think that happened back in February or something like that. So it had been quite a while since Colton Severe's score. But still, good to see him on the score sheet. Genkowski as well. Gets on the score sheet, but not with a goal. If you look at 404 Response Code's Twitter account, CK had a very interesting stat during the game. Jankowski is tied for the team lead now with Gensel and Roder.

Rodriguez with six 5 to 5.5 points since Malkin went down with his injury about a month ago. Again, stuff that I didn't think we would be saying in the year 2021. But the fact that he has six 5v5 points since Chino went down and that's tied with Gensel, pretty wild. So, you know, it is good to see him contributing more to the score sheet. I know he didn't score tonight, but honestly didn't think he was that bad Zohornah. I thought was good again. And yes, Cindy Crosby did get back on the score sheet after a couple really down games from him, well below average that you normally see from Sydney Crosby.

I thought tonight overall was a really good game from him, and he had that wicked shot past Blackwood to make it 5-2. Almost basically had the game out of reach. But what a feed that was from Jake Gensel. And I'm going to continue to say it. Jake Gensel is the best winger Sidney Crosby has ever played with. I know people will say, well, you know, Marion Hosa. Marion Hosa.

I mean, Hosa was with him for 20, 25 games. I mean, Gensel's been with him now since 2016, 2017. So it really is not a contest, at least for me. I know you're still probably going to have some people that think that Gensel is a product of Crosby. Don't listen to those people. He is a hell of a player on his own right. And honestly, if he hit the open market right now, Gensel would probably command 7 to 7.5 million per. And I don't even think that's a stretch to say.

I mean, he makes, what, 5.5, 6 million per right now? I believe it's, yeah, just looked it up. It is 6 million per in tail. I'm just going to look to see when this contract goes. I think it goes until, so 2023, 24. So they still have a ways to go with this contract. I mean, that's a fly-out steal for what he does on a nightly basis. Like I said, if he hit free agency right now,

he'd be commanding $7.7.5 million per with how good he is. The vision that he has. The fact that he's also a top five pure goal score in the league, he is just absolutely everything Crosby needs and more. And what a fee that was. It was just completely nasty. And yes, we cannot forget about Brian Duhmelin getting on the score sheet for the second time in three games. You usually know when it's a big game.

Brian Dumelin comes out in scores tonight was a pretty big one for the Penguins just because of how they've struggled against the Devils this year. And honestly, how they've struggled against the Devils ever since Mike Sullivan was hired. Just for whatever reason, it's kind of maddening how this team always struggles against New Jersey, especially in Newark. That building has not ever been kind. I don't think to the Penguins, but tonight they were able to take care of business. and they've actually gone two and one in Newark thus far of the season and like I said their final game in Newark will be on Sunday so they'll try to make it three and one after that game before

coming home and playing the Philadelphia Flyers I think that game is on Thursday and I think I basically touched on all the goal scores in this game you know Brian Russ had the empty nender to seal it at the end with the 6-4 victory he honestly could have had a hat trick I think he had a couple really good chances earlier in the game as well Jared McCannamy he could have had a hat trick tonight as well he is playing some lights out hockey right now. And I really don't think you can take him off the top power play. Even when, again, he comes back. I mean, obviously, Malkin is going to come back and play on the top power play.

I mean, why wouldn't he? But I think at this way, you have to go Crosby, Malkin, Lattang, Gensel, and Mekan. Because Mekan has single-handedly put the Penguins power play above league average ever since Chino has gone out. And is that a coincidence? I don't think so because Mekan has a hell of a shot. and even his playmaking ability on the powerplay is so good, especially around the front of the net. And even when he's away from the net,

he can just burn every goalie that he faces with his wicked shot. I mean, I guess I've been saying he has probably a top three shot on this team. He wasn't utilizing it enough prior to the season, but now you can really see him doing that basically game after game right now, and it's really a sight for sore eyes. So he was able to get his 11th goal of the season, in his 19th point in 28 games. So he's honestly almost hovering around a point per game place as well this season for Pittsburgh.

I know taking Brian Rust off the top power play wouldn't be, I guess, received well by some fans in the Penguins fan base, but I honestly don't think it would matter that much because of how McCann is playing right now on the unit. I really think you have to keep him on there even when Gino comes back. And then for your second union, you can just run Casperi Capnin when he's back, Brian Rust, John Marino, Jason Zulker, and Mike Matheson, and that's a pretty damn good second power play unit that this team can throw out there as well. That's probably one of the better second units in the league, if I'm being honest with you all.

So I think that's what I would do. If I were Mike Sullivan, when everyone comes back and then you can have the top powerplay unit, basically stay the same except McCann is on for Ross. But that'll do it for this segment. Coming up in the next segment, we have a lot more to talk about with this game and moving forward. But before we do get to that, it's time to talk about bed online. It's the fastest, easiest way to bet on all your sports action. Football might be over, but the NBA and the NHL are in full swing.

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Follow these shows Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. So a couple other things to take away, I think, from this game. The Penguins P-K, again, struggling a bit too much. I mean, there was a power play that the Devils had, and they were just in the zone for the entire two minutes. I don't even think the Penguins touch the puck at all. The Devils, it was a total power play clinic from them. and just goes to show how far away the penalty kill still is with this team. I keep talking about it on the podcast.

Yes, I get it. They were really good in March where I think they went nine, ten games in a row without giving up a power play goal. But so far on April, they've reverted back to the old ways and the old habits that were plaguing them earlier on in the season, or honestly for most of the season before that nine, 10 game stretch. And it's a really tough watch overall. I mean, like I said, there's just a lot of puck watching, the letting players stand in front of the net with no kids.

care in the world. DeSmith can't even see the puck a lot of times, the movement that these teams are putting on the penguins. Like I said, it's a clinic and they're not even getting it to any loose pucks. Like I said, the penguins did not have a single clear in those two minutes during the second period when the devils were on the power play threatening. I was honestly pretty surprised that the devils did not score on that power play because I think they had three to four high danger chances that I counted just from watching it. So, you know, why the penguins survived that, but still a lot of work needs to be done with the penguin's penalty kill, it is not up to par, and it really has not been for any of the season except for

the 9 to 10 games. Overall, for Casey to Smith, I thought it was a strong performance from him. I know he was left out to dry by a couple of the devil's goals, you know, namely the Chris LaTang one one was bounce off his skate and win top shelf, and then the Brian Duman one when he basically just shot the puck on net. So both Penguin defensemen scored tonight. I mean, Brian Dune, honestly, had two goals tonight, one on his own team and won for his team, and then Lattang, also had a goal, but except it went in. his own net. So three goals combined for the top pairing of the penguins, even though two of them were not so friendly. But overall, I liked his game and that save that he made. I think it was on

Jack Hughes to basically just swing the blocker out and that was going top shelf. I mean, that's probably a top five save of the year at this point. What a job to Smith did on that? If that's Jari Annette, he probably doesn't make that save. Hell, if it's almost any goalie in the league with that, I'm not even sure if they get that stick paddle on that. What a save that was by to Smith. And, you know, I think I've seen more people talking about it recently. With how both goaltenders have mostly played really well, these last six to seven weeks, who are you going to start in game one in the playoffs?

I know I said this week, I would go Tristan Jari just because I think he's the more experienced goaltender, and he played really well in the one playoff game that we saw him do in the return to play in 2020. But if they did go to Smith, it probably should not be too. surprising the Penguins fans, like I said, I would disagree with it, but I also wouldn't particularly mind it just because of how he's played this year. And I think both goalies give this team a very high chance of winning no matter what. Like I said, my opinion in stance is still that Trishinjari should be the playoff starter. But if he does falter in a game, if he does start, they most likely will go to Casey DeSmith for that next game just because of how good he's

been this year as well. I know DeSmith has no Stanley Cup playoff experience, but I mean, neither did Matt Murray when he came in and started Game 3 of the 2016 Eastern Conference quarterfinals. In Madison Square Garden, he went on, I believe, to only allow what? One goal in that game, and then in game 4, they basically shut

them out, and then in game 5, he shuts the door on the Rangers in that series. I know they allow three goals, but still, basically four goals combined in three games, and then, you know, we all know what happens next, with Washington, Tampa Bay, and San Jose. So, yes, I get it. It is a bit nerve-wracking to have a goalie go in there who's never started a stand-the-cut

playoffs game, but we've seen this happen before. I mean, Shish and Jari only has one Stanley Cup playoff game to his resume, so it's not even a big of a difference. But like I said, I would still go Jari because he has a bit more pedigree, but I also would not particularly be too upset if they did go to Dismith. And also, it could come down to who is playing better at that time in four to five weeks when this team eventually does make the playoffs and when the playoffs eventually start. I'm going to be really curious to see.

What Mike Sullivan does there, I think on Sunday, you're going to see him start Tristan Jari because usually when there's not a back-to-back, he goes with Jari, and then when there is back-to-back, he goes with DeSmith. So that's what I think is going to happen with the goaltending tandem moving forward. And then on Thursday, at home against Philadelphia, I think that he's probably going to go with Jari there as well. And then I think they do have a back-to-back with Buffalo late next weekend, if I'm not mistaken. That will be another opportunity where it'll go Jari.

and then to Smith, and yes, they have Buffalo on the 17th in Buffalo at 3 p.m. And then they have another game against Buffalo on the 18th, 3 p.m. Eastern start as well. So again, for everyone, I'm going to say this one more time. I think Jive for the next two games, honestly jarring for the next three games, and then DeSmith will get one on the 18th. But I also think the schedule really favors both goals down the stretch, where if you start then in almost any one of their games, they're both going to give them basically an equal chance of winning these games.

So it's really nice when you have not one, but two goal tenors playing at a very elite level right now. Those two games in the past, yes, they have been, but they have not been the norm for the last seven to eight weeks. And like I said, I highly doubted that was going to continue, and so far it has not. Let's see here. Anyways, I'm trying to think of other takeaways from this game.

I mean, there really weren't many other takeaways. I guess, you know, as bad from Jared McCann, staying on the top power play, Casey Smith, continuing his very strong play. Penguins finally getting another win in Newark getting to two and two overall on the season with New Jersey. getting to within two points of the East Division. It was nice that the Rangers were able to help them out

and crushing the Islanders for the one, even though the Rangers are not going to get any closer to a playoff spot with that win. I mean, as each passing day goes, I still get less convinced that Ron Hextel and Brian Burke are going to make a trade. There's still only three days left. One of you all probably listen to this.

It's probably going to be two days left until the trade deadline. I believe it's, what, three, four o'clock on Monday. So they'll have one more game to watch before. they have to make their final call and whether or not they want to make a move to bolster this team. I still am of the opinion that they should, and they should

go out and get another center or winger, but if they do stand pat at the deadline, I wouldn't mind it because I really like the depth from this team as a way. You know, it's awesome that some of the not-so-good players have started to trickle onto the score sheet more, like a Marchankowski who has, like I said, six 5-e-5 points since Malkin went down.

Colton Cier getting his third goal in season, redeems O'Horna, basically a point-per-game player right now, for the Penguins, Frederick Goodrow, continuing to kill it in the face-off dot and looking really good in the offensive zone again tonight. I mean, he just continues to impress. He should not see the bench again until this team is fully healthy with a potential trade.

Or honestly, you know, if they never get healthy, like I said, he never should see the bench again. So I continue to be amazed with his play as well. And that is now wins in eight of the last 11 games for Pittsburgh. They just continue to crush it with Evgeny Malkin being out. He's continuing to scale. so he's making more progress

and hopefully more reinforce than should be on the way with Teddy Blueiker potentially coming back on Sunday, maybe we'll cross our fingers and then potentially in a couple weeks of getting Malkin coming back from his injury. We still have to have him back at practice because we have not seen him back there. Yeah, and then Brandon Tannib and Kisbury Captain

are also still out with injuries. But that would do it for this segment of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Coming up in the next time, we're going to go around the league a little bit talking about some trades that we saw today while also doing a couple listener takeaways, so don't go anywhere. But before we do that, it is time to talk about Bill Bar. It is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. 18 amazing flavors, six new ones, cookies and cream, chamois brownie,

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You can go to billbar.com right now and use promo code Locked15, and you'll get 15% off your next order. That has promo code Locked 15 for 15% off at Billbar.com. All right, welcome back to this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hoagery. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hody's. So this shows Twitter at LO underscore Penguins. So a couple trades around the league today. The Maple Leafs acquired Riley Nash from the Blue Jackets.

I thought he was basically out for the season, but I think it's only for, four to six weeks that he's out for. They basically, I think the Leaves came up like a conditional seventh round pick in next year's draft. So basically nothing to get him. And I think they're also going to put him on LTIR so they can use some cap space to potentially go after someone. You know, hint, hint, Taylor Hall.

I'm still not done listening to Elliot Friedman's 31 thoughts. I want to see what he has to say on the Hall situation and some other stuff as the dead one. Like I said, is three days away. The Avalanche required a depth defenseman Patrick Nemith from the Red Wings for a pick. It's not surprising that the Red Wings are starting. to sell off some of their pieces. I'm curious to see if anyone wants Bobby Ryan,

and they also do have a couple other players that are free agents after the season that they probably are going to sell off by the type of deadline rolls around. Usually Steve Iiserman will try to get at least a third or four-round pick for some of those players. But that was it today in terms of trades.

I know it's been a bit of a dud of a deadline so far. Obvious reasons, COVID-19, but we'll see if we see some action tomorrow. Sunday, I think you'll see a trade or two. Then Monday, you know, it's going to be the busiest day, but, you know, definitely not the busiest deadline that we've seen in recent years. That's for sure.

As for some listener takeaways, we really only have one tonight, and that comes from Alan Tejoder. I understand people are doing stuff on Friday nights. So, you know, sometimes people miss the games, or they're not checking Twitter during the games. Alan says, depth scoring the last few games is a good sign for me. DeSmith, wow, I don't blame him for a lot of those goals, but still should not give up four.

I agree with you, Alan. You know, he should not be giving up four goals in the game. But like I said, I mean, two of the goals were literally owned goals from Crystal Tang. and Brian Dumlin and then the one that Miles Wood scored to open the scoring, I honestly don't even think that should have counted

because I think he kind of boulders into the Smith, if I'm not mistaken, after watching that a couple times. The Penguins honestly should have challenged that for goal interference, and I really don't know why they didn't. And then the other one, I guess, was just whatever. He also says, one more game

than when you have a brief break, which should be really nice and well-earned. Yes, Alan, you are correct. Penguins will be done with a stretch of playing four games in six nights, and then they will have Monday off, Tuesday off, Wednesday off, and then they will play Philadelphia on Thursday for the final time at PPG Paints Arena this season, and one of the final times overall the season, as it's very unlikely that the Flyers make the playoffs as of right now.

But yes, all good observations, Alan. So thank you so much for sending those in. Final thoughts to wrap this one up. Absolutely love the depth scoring for Pittsburgh. I've said about probably three to four times already. I love that some of the not-so-good players that we've harped on this season are starting to contribute a bit more to the score sheet. that's definitely showing Ron Hextall that he likes his depth, and if he doesn't want to make a move, it makes sense just because of how the depth is playing this year.

I think Adam Gretz had a very interesting tweet right after the game that just shows how good the Penguins' depth has been this season. If I can just get to the tweet here right now, this is probably terrible radio here. This is the tweet. With neither Sidney Crosby or Evgeny Malkin on the ice season, the Penguins have a plus seven goal differential at 5E5. Here's how that compares to previous years. 2014 was minus 18, and the fact that that team was one win away from going to the Eastern Conference final just blows my mind and shows, should show to everyone that Crosby and Malkin can carry a bunch of corpses outside of Crystal Tang to almost a Eastern Conference final. 2015 was minus 9, 2016 was plus 8, 2017 minus 3.

2018 was minus 15. I mean, they were also kind of gassed that year. 2019, minus 4, and 2020, minus 2. So yes, the depth is playing a hell of a lot better this year than it was last year. And like I said, kudos two players like Mark Jankowski. Hell, I'll even throw Sam Laffer to me. I thought he played much better tonight, and he probably should have had at least a goal. I mean, McKenzie Blackwood robbed him point blank, not ones, but twice on a sequence, I think.

In the second period, he was set up for like kind of a half-slapper, 15 feet from the net, which he gloved. But then the puck kind of scored out. and then he got basically five feet from him and then he gloved that and was just like wow what a save it was from him and you know blackwood honestly played as well as he did i mean that save on the three-on-one from mccann was just otherworldly you know i have no idea how he saved that and it's just go to show that every time the penguins play the devils especially in newark you know they're basically playing marty roter even though marty roder retired all those years ago so it's just like every devil's goalie from in recent years just kind of plays like god against the penguins for whatever reason but That will do it for this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I hope you all enjoy this one. Hope you all have a great, great weekend. Like I said, the Penguins will play again on Sunday. That is a 7 p.m. Eastern Star.

I do not believe that game is nationally televised. As for the podcast moving forward, I will have an episode, you know, Monday, the Friday next week. As for Monday with trade deadline, I'll have an episode breaking down the game against the Devils from Sunday, but also breaking down any trade that's made during the day. So look for that episode to be up after 4. clocks is, you know, sometimes some GMs like to wait until the full deadline to make moves.

We've seen Jim Rutherford due that before, you know, especially with acquiring someone like Eric Goodbranson and a couple of hours. I think last year, you know, he waited until the last minute to get Ed and Rodriguez and Connor Sherry for Dominic. And I think that was basically done right with 10 minutes to go. So we'll see what happens with that. And then Tuesday through Friday, it'll just be normal episodes with the podcast. So again, thank you all so much for listening.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. And we'll see if the Penguins can go for three in a row on Sunday. when they take on the devils for the final time in Newark. I'll talk to you on Monday.