Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Back on the right track with another game looming!

Episode Date: April 9, 2021

The Pittsburgh Penguins snapped their two-game losing streak on Thursday night as they defeated the New York Rangers 5-2 to get two crucial points in the standings. Hunter recaps the game as Radim Zohorna continues his strong play with an outstanding move on his second goal. Has he played his way into a permanent role? Or is he still behind Freddy Gaudreau, who continues to look great as well? He also touches on Evan Rodrigues and why he's a perfect fit for a bottom six role after struggling out of the gate. Finally, he previews the game against New Jersey on Friday while also talking about some uncharacteristic play from Sidney Crosby lately.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. Hello, welcome to this late Thursday evening episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes.

Follow this show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. Today's episode is brought to you by Rock Auto. Amazing selection, reliably low prices, all the parts of Carver ever need. You can visit Rock Odysk. and tell them locked on send to you. So we're back here with another episode of the locked on penguins podcast after the penguins get their five to two win over the New York Rangers. Snap that little two-game funk that got out of their five-game winning streak.

They are now one, six of eight and seven of their last ten. So, you know, I guess the demise of the penguins has been greatly exaggerated. You know, they're not allowing 15 goals in five periods like they were these last couple of games. The only other Rangers, like I just said, to have two goals tonight in the underlying numbers. were pretty good in favor of the Penguins night. They did what they needed to do, and this time, everyone, they got good goal-tending.

You know, if you look at the 5-V-5 numbers from Static, Penguins controlled 56% of the shot attempts in high danger. They only allowed six high-d-danger chances against for the Rangers. Overall, at 5-V-5, the Penguins also only allowed 14 scoring chances for New York at even strength. If you go to all situations, then, Penguins have 57% of the course-y-shot attempts. They only allowed 20 scoring chances total for the Rangers and 10 high danger chances. 4 to 4 in the third period, five high danger chances for the Rangers in the second and just one in the first.

The first period was by far the penguin's best period of the day, especially even if you look at 5V5. It's 8 to 1 in high danger, I think 9 to 4 in scoring chances, 4 scoring chances against. It got more even, I guess, as the game went on. But still, this was a really good performance from Pittsburgh. expected goals for was 1.87 for Pittsburgh, 1.1 for New York, and the expected goals for percentage, 62.8% for the penguins at 5E5, and 37% for the Rangers at 5E5. So, yes, very good performance from Pittsburgh tonight. The underlying numbers backed up the I test. They were just really giving New York anything in the neutral zone or even in the offensive zone. The Rangers were mostly

just one and done every time they came in. They had a nice shift, I think, in the third period when they were down a couple goals. Obviously, you know, they were able to tie the game with Colin Blackwell on the power play and then had that second goal, which was basically a wide open net from Kevin Rooney, but that was also a hell of a fee from Adam Fox. He got his point streak. He extended two 12 games, but, you know, it was a bit weird to see the Rangers come out very flat in this game. But, you know, Nick Zarraros, who, of course, was on the podcast yesterday, if you all listen to that.

He did say, you know, like, this is what the Rangers do. You know, they have some really good games, but then they'll just play like they did tonight when they really have nothing. and they're basically just going through the motions. He was texting me during the game, and I noticed this too. They put Pavel Bouchnevich down on a line with, like, Nick Hauden and Kevin Rooney or Kaanbach or something like that. And it's just like, I don't know why David Quinn is galaxy reigning his lineup at times,

but Pavel Bouchnevich is one of his five to six best forwards. So putting him down there on a line with two anchors is definitely just really freaking weird. So, you know, thanks to David Quinn for helping the Penguins win in that regard. And yes, big bounceback. for Tristan Jari only allowing those two goals. This was the Jari that we have seen from the last six to seven weeks. No idea what version of Jari we saw for the other night.

I guess it was maybe the early 2020-2020 version. But this was the Jari that we were very accustomed to seeing these last six to seven weeks. And like I said, they played just as well. I thought tonight, you know, if you look at the numbers as they did the other night, the only difference tonight, they didn't start out the game playing like

shit and the goaltender actually made the saves when you needed to make the saves. So those two things happened. and you're able to win a game against a team that you should be able to win against the Penguins finish third season series, six and two against the New York Rangers, and 12 and 4 overall against the Islanders and the Rangers, a remarkable feat considering the talent that both of those two teams have.

I still think that Rangers are about a year or two away from playoff contention, but this team is going to be really freaking good, I think, as early as next year. I would not be surprised if they do make the playoffs next year. But moving on to some other stuff. In terms of the goals, great to see it redeems the Hornel. what a goal he had to open the scoring for Pittsburgh, that power move that he pulled. I'm trying to remember what Rangers' defenseman it was,

but he just owned him like he was nothing. Just the long reach that he has on his back end, it was allowed him to do that. And then, you know, Shesterkin really had no chance after he pulled it for him. That is his second career NHL goal. And now in four career NHL games, Radim Sohorna is a point of game player, you know,

just like he was in the Czech League, and just like he was in Wilkesbury before being called up. I think if you look at how he did in the checkly, I think he had 22 points in 21 games, then got to Wilkesbury, I think he had 11 points in 12 games, and then now that he's been caught up to the Penguins, not once but twice,

he has four points in four games. So it's almost as if everyone this player is not bad at all. I actually really like his game, his defensive game, I thought, tonight was well. He's such a strong skater for how tall and big he is. I mean, that's the really big thing that jumps out at me

was that he's just so freaking fast for such a big body. And I would not mind him as the 13th or 14th forward on this team. I don't think he's going to play in the playoffs unless this team is still so banged up going to the playoffs in about four to five weeks. But, you know, he's obviously a good body to have and he has a lot of skill. And on that goal, if you watch it back, watch Marcus Pedersen with that pass. He had his head up. He sees Zohorna basically going down the right side boards and just finds him.

And then, you know, Zohorna does the rest with his long reach in his back end before going to forehand. But that was the one big thing. that I noticed on that goal. You know, that was a really nice pass from Pedersen that that cross-sized pass was just so freaking awesome. Jason Zucker also gets a goal tonight. That was the one that put it away. Nice to see him back on the score sheet again. He's been playing well, I thought, since going back.

You know, I've seen some people on Penguins Twitter kind of say, like, well, you know, Jason Zucker hasn't been really good. You know, what is he doing? They should just trade him. They gave up too much to get him. It's like, I completely disagree with that. He doesn't have his center playing with him or his other winger. And he still has two goals.

goals in his last, what, three games now? Or two goals, maybe not three. Two goals in his last four games now, excuse me. So, yeah, he's going to be fine. The people that say he needs to be traded or whatever other nonsense that's being spewed on in Penguin's Twitter, just stop. You know, I've really liked his fit, especially with Evan Rodriguez. And what a player Rodriguez has turned out to be these last few weeks.

I've really liked his playmaking ability. Obviously had that power play goal tonight, which made it three to one, which really just put the damper in the hopes of the Rangers for coming back. got to a goal scoring area right in front of the net and put it past Chesterkin. And that was a pretty sweet fee from Zohorna. So he had two points on the night. And the Penguins did get a powerpoint goal this time from their second unit. So nice to see that happen.

But overall, just from Rodriguez, I've really liked his game. And when he's played this year outside the top six, he's good. Like, I think that's the word to describe. And he only makes, what, 700K for this year? And you're getting that kind of production and that kind of playmaking out of them. That's perfectly fine. I mean, if you want to do a Zulker-McChan-Rodriguez, third line, and figure out a winger for Evgeny Malkin or something via trade

or put someone else up there, I'd totally be fine with it. I mean, I also understand that they may put Malkan-Malkin-Kappan, but, I mean, Zulker and Rodriguez, you know, those two especially have worked really well as well. I mean, Zulker-McChan, to honestly just that line I really liked these last few games. They just seem to really click while playing with each other. And I honestly do think Rodriguez is like a perfect depth player for this team with how fast he is, how good he is with the puck, his playmaking

ability, and his defensive responsibilities in his own zone have been very good, I think, for these last few weeks. You know, I've seen some people even say he should be elevated up to the top line with Crosby. I wouldn't touch the Gensel-Crosby-Rust line. I would just leave that alone. Or, you know, when Malkin or Cappin and come back, you know, I would just leave him in the bottom six.

That's where he has been at his bestest the year, and I would keep him there as his play continues to get better and better as the season goes on. Crystal Tang also scored tonight. That was nice to see. I think that was his seventh, eighth goal on the season. I think he now has 31 points in 39 games. I think he had to miss a game due to an injury or something like that. So he's almost at a point-for-game pace for this year.

It was nice to see kind of the penguins get a nice little lucky bounce, I think, on that goal. Because I think it went off a Rangers' defenseman skate or just something like that. So, you know, the Penguins haven't gone a lot of puck luck with some goals this year, but it was nice to see them get puck luck on that one. And then, you know, March and Kouski gets the empty netter. Pretty sure half of his goals are empty netters, I think, of his four goals this year, two actually are. I think, you know, obviously the other one, he scored the beginning of the season, then he had a deflection goal against Boston on Saturday.

So, you know, two goals in the last three games from Archenkowski. So, you know, let's do a little bit of a golf clap here for him as, you know, he's actually putting the puck in the back of the net, just a little bit more. But, you know, still good to see him get another goal, even though it was an empty net goal. Sam Lafferty, I mean, I don't really know what to say about him. had that fight. No, made Holidaysburg, Pennsylvania proud there, but other than that, his skating is good, but I'm just ready for him to be out of the lineup already.

I just, I can't watch Sam Lafferty play on this team anymore, but still, a lot more to get to when it comes to this game and other stuff around the league in the next segment, or the next two segments, actually, but before we do that, it is time to talk about bed online. It's the fastest, easiest way to bed on all your sports action. Football might be over, but the NBA and the NHL are in full swing. But online even covers the boards. TV shows reality TV and get rid of. real-time updated odds and props almost anything you can imagine.

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Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L-O underscore Penguins. really was not much else to talk about, I guess, when it comes to this game, just because I thought it was a dull game overall because the Rangers really weren't doing anything on the offensive zone. They were just really flat for some reason. And especially in a must-win game, I mean, the Rangers need points if they want to somehow make a run at this. I know they really only have 16, 17 games left. I mean, you got to get points in virtually every game here if you want to have any shot at making the playoffs. But I mean, that's basically all but

gone now. I think the odds are like 10%. And the same with the flyers. They are 10 points behind the Penguins, six points out of the playoffs. They need all the points they can get. They had one tonight, but they couldn't get the extra one as they lost in a shootout to the Islanders. And you know, before I do, make it back to some stuff

about the game, it is interesting. If you look around the league, a lot of the divisions are pretty locked up with a month to go when it comes to playoffs. You know, you look at the East one. Washington's going to get in. The Islander's going to get in. Pittsburgh's going to get in bearing some unforeseen collapse. And it looks like the Bruins will as well, because like I said, the Flyers are six points back, and they only have 16 games left.

Or actually, no, 16. Excuse me. They only have 17 games left, if I'm not mistaken. So, yeah. I mean, and the Bruins, they have 19 games left. So they have six points up on them, and they have two games in hand. So the Flyers are really up a creek going into those last 17 games. If you look at the Rangers, too, they're seven points back, and the Bruins still have two games in hand on them as well.

Boston also has three games in hand on all three of Washington, Pittsburgh, and the Islanders, and I think they'll have four games in hand on Pittsburgh after tomorrow, as the Penguins will get the Devils at the Rock they call the Prudential Center. I'm actually going to preview that game a little bit in the third segment here. But yeah, it is definitely a bit weird. I think we're basically just looking to see what's going to happen with seeding. I mean, for all we know, the Bruins could overtake the Penguins. I mean, they've won six of the last 10 games.

I know the Penguins have won seven or the last 10. But Pittsburgh still has two more games left against Boston. Both of those games are in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins usually have played Boston pretty well. I know Pittsburgh is two and three and one against the Bruins this year. That's a team that they've really struggled against. But at home, usually, they play them a lot better. So we'll see if the Penguins can get a total split against them overall, basically, four and four. And, of course, the Penguins still have two more games left against Washington.

And, you know, if you look at the Central Division, it's the same thing there. the top three teams of Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Florida are going to get in. And then it's a battle for the fourth seat. I think you're going to see Nashville get in and probably get curbstomp by the top seed. But, you know, it's one turn around. It has been for Nashville. You look at the North Division. You know, thoughts and prayers, of course, to the Canucks and everyone surrounding that organization.

The players, what they're going through right now is just, it's not right. And, you know, I think half their team tested positive. I think they want to be back in action sometime late next week. But even that might be unrealistic with how it has just, really ravaged their team this year. I mean, that's even worse than what to happen with Buffalo with their COVID situation. I don't know, even though if Vancouver is going to be able to finish their season. But I think, you know, besides that, you look at the four teams there, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Edmonton, those four teams are probably going to get in. Then at the West, you know,

you have Vegas, Colorado, Minnesota, and I think you're probably going to see Arizona get in. And, you know, Jordan Bennington had that quote yesterday of, oh, yeah, you know, we're coming or whatever. I mean, there's still a bit of ways back. You know, the Blues have really struggled this year. You know, Doug Armstrong is going to be a bit of a wild card at the deadline. He's always been like that. But, you know, it is pretty weird with a month to go to see a lot of these divisions almost locked up in terms of playoffs. Usually you see a lot of tight races down the stretch, but I don't know if we're going to get that this year, peeps.

I really don't. Especially in the East Division, like I said, Pittsburgh has a 10-point cushion on the Flyers, 11-point cushion on the Rangers. And they have a four-point cushion on the Bruins. I mean, just for third place, but overall, I mean, they're not going to swander a 10.11 point cushion with 16 games loving. That would just have to be a collapse. Like the Mets have basically done. So, yes, this team, 99.9% chance that they will be in the playoffs for the 16th straight year. A franchise record, I believe, for the Penguins and getting close, I think, to the overall NHL record,

where the Red Wings had that up until, I think, 2015, 16, I think it was like 22, 23 years, something like that. We'll see if the penguins can get up to there as the sit in Gino Air comes to name. Going back a little bit to the game, I am so sorry for getting a little bit off track there. But some other performances that I thought showed out. Cody Cici, again, rock solid, especially in his defensive zone. I thought there was also a much better performance for Marcus Peders. I think he played almost like a mini power move, I think, in the third period when it was still a two, three goal lead for Pittsburgh. I'm not sure who was coming in.

I think it might have been Heidel or might have been Lafranier. or some of that, but he used his long reach very effectively to basically not allow him to get anything on that puck. So you had that awesome play, and I already touched on his part with the Zohornigal with that awesome stretch fast to get the puck on his stick. So like I said, a much better performance from him overall. Brian Dumlin again was solid. Mike Mathis and I thought was fine. Had a breakaway, I think, in the, I want to say early in the third period. but, you know, I guess

Penguins shooters for some reason they never want to deke on a goalie. They just, they come in, stop almost around 10, 15 feet, and they just shoot the puck, and it's like, when was the last time we've seen a penguin player? I think Jason J. underscore A155 tweeted this out well before everyone, you know, and I'm asking the same question as well.

When was the last time we saw a penguin player actually deek on a breakaway? Because it hardly happens now? I mean, is it Nam? Is it like well before name or something? like that, I have no idea, but it is kind of frustrating to see just all the penguin players come in whenever they have a breakaway and just either shoot, hit the crossbar with it, or it's just a save. I know what Matheson was trying to do there.

He tried to go five-hole Shesterkin, made a nice save, but it's like, buddy, like, when you have the puck on your stick, you're one of the more dangerous defensemen on this team. Just make a move. You're already a forward already. So, I mean, and everyone's jaw would have dropped if you would have dig the goalie there. anyway and just continue the campaign push to have them be as a forward full time so you know I just wish more penguin players I guess Deaked on a breakaway overall I guess is my point you know going back to jari a little bit I liked his game overall but him coming out of the net tonight was a bit scary I think the rangers missed a wide open net in the second period I think it was

um runy coming down or might have been heedl someone like that he just the net was just wide open and he missed it like 10 feet wide or something and jari wasn't even close being in the net. It was just like, okay, you know, the game could have been a lot different at that goal. It scored there. And a couple other points, you know, just basically looking like Mark Andre Fleury from 2014 against the Blue Jackets. Really don't know why he just kept coming out of his net. Like I said, it just brought me flashbacks from seven years ago just to seeing Flurry do that in 2014. Or honestly, overall, just because Fleury was so bad at playing the puck out of his own net every time he did throughout his penguin's tenure.

or so. Usually Jari has been pretty good at coming out and playing the puck from his net, but tonight definitely not good, that's for sure. A couple other stuff. You also, of course, saw the Crosby sucks chant in New York. You didn't see it. You heard it. Nothing out of the ordinary. They usually leave that to Philadelphia. Kind of weird that they did that. I mean, though it has been the last couple weird games for Crosby overall. I thought in the last game on Tuesday, excuse me, made a couple really bad passes, of course,

the one that led to the Ranger second goal and then tonight looks like he's stripped a little bit by Shasturkin and then basically just retaliates just because he didn't get the call and then goes to the box only like 45 seconds into the powerplay it's like sit don't be selfish there but honestly just his timing his precision has not been up to part of these last couple of games

it's going to rebound it's Cindy Crosby but you know I will call it how I see it these last couple of games have not been Crosby's greatest that's for sure just because I don't think he's seen ice as well as he has been in his previous games. But, you know, like I said, that's probably going to go back to normal tomorrow night just because, you know,

that's just, that's how it is now, everyone, because every time I say something, it's just basically like an old takes exposed. I'm Freddie Goodrow, took 12 faceoffs tonight, 1-11 and out of 12. Again, you know, he's just making his case to stay in the lineup, even when the playoffs come around.

I honestly would not even mind if they don't make a move, and Freddie Goodro is your 12th floor when everyone is healthy, when, you know, Malk and Captainin and Tana. F. M. Bluder come back. I think he's definitely played his way into a permanent roster spot, especially with how he played against the Penguins in 2017 with National three goals in the six games in the Stanley Cup final. I just really liked his game overall tonight. Again, he just keeps

getting better and better each game that he plays. So, you know, we're all aboard the Freddie Bus right now, that's for sure. And yes, everyone, the Latang cult never dies. The hashtag on Twitter, get that trending, actually. Every time he scores a goal, every time he scores a goal, every time he does something good, hashtag with Tang Colt Never Dies, to rub it in the face of Penguins Chronicles, which is one of the worst accounts from Penguins Twitter. But that would do it for basically talking about this game. Coming up in the next segment, excuse me,

we're going to just do a little bit of a preview of the devil's game. But before we do that, it is time to talk about rockado.com. It's a family business. I've been auto parts online for 20 years. You can go to rockadoad.com a shop for auto and body parts from hundreds of manufacturers. The catalog on the site is unique and very easy net. and you quickly see all the parts available for your vehicle and choose the brands. Specifications of prices you prefer.

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That is rock auto.com. All right. Welcome back to this episode of the Locktime Hang on, I'm your host, Hon. Hon.Hon Heronies, remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow the shows, Twitter, at L.O. underscore Penguins. I'll only probably keep you all here for just a few more minutes. But big game for the Penguins.

Tomorrow night, well, tonight, tomorrow night, whenever you're all listening to this, if it's Thursday night or Friday morning, Friday afternoon, they will play the New Jersey Devils at the Rock they call the Prudential Center. So the Penguins literally just have to take a bus across the Hudson River and get into Newark, which, you know, I don't really care for Newark as a city. I honestly think it's kind of a dumb. But Prudential Center, from what I've seen is, a nice arena, excuse me.

But, you know, this is a devil's team that the Penguins have struggled against the last couple of seasons. Pittsburgh thus far this year is one in one and one or in no other just regular terms. They are one and two. They have points in two of the three games, three points out of six. But they should be able to win that game and also win the game on Sunday. This is the devil's team that has already traded two of their better players. Travis Ajax and Kyle Palmary went to the New York Islanders in exchange for a first-round pick and a bunch of AHL players and a conditional four.

fourth round pick. Tom Fitzgerald had that hilarious, ridiculous, weird quote saying, you know, I hope it's the 32nd pick. You know, those guys deserve to win a cup. And it's like, okay, Tom, you know, I guess you went to the Jim Rutherford School of Asset Acquisition because you should not be hoping for the most late first round pick. You should be hoping for the highest first round pick, especially when your team is going through a rebuild like they have been for almost virtually since 2012. They've literally had one playoff appearance since they went to the Stanley Cup final and got trounce by the Kings that year in the last eight to nine years. So I really don't understand why Tom Fischelah had to say that.

You know, I get loyalty is great. I get he loves those two players and they've been devils for a while. But, you know, you shouldn't hope for a later pick in that kind of deal. You should try to get as much as you can. But, you know, that's the old boys club for you all in the NHL. But, you know, overall, they still have Jack Hughes, who I think is enjoying a better year than his rookie year. He's still not all the way there yet, but I could totally see him having like almost

like a mini-McKinnon year next year where he's averaging a point per game and really comes into his own. Miles Wood is still a good player. I think Nico Heeshire is back from injury. The Penguins did not see him in those previous two matchup. He is a damn good defensive player, especially. Just an all-around good 200-foot player, and I think he's really starting to come into his own as well.

Obviously, he's still a P.K. Sub-Band, I think he has a goal this year against Pittsburgh. I'm not really sure if McKenzie Blackwood is going to go tomorrow, or if it's Scott Wedge, but I have to take a look. But I think the Devils did win tonight against the Sabres. I think the score was 6 to 3. So both these teams will be on back-to-backs for tomorrow night's game. And if I just look at their line combinations, overall, Jack Hughes is centering their top line with Sarangovich.

I can't even pronounce this guy's name. Kukinen, I think that's who it is. I have no idea who he is. Miles Wood with Pavel Zaka and Esper Brad on the second line. Thompson with McLeod and Maltsiv on the third line. And then Johnson, Bill Quist, and Merkley on the fourth line. Merckley is actually not bad, but, you know, this team is just, they're not good. defensively. Ryan Murray, who is going to

garner, I think, a lot of trade interest leading up to the deadline. I can definitely see a contending team going after him as he's a good steady top-four bottom-paring player when he's in the lineup, obviously, the health is the big concern with him. But this is still a good player. I don't think he's a top pairing defender, like he's getting put out there right now with New Jersey, but, you know,

putting him on your second, third pairing, that's great. Damon Severson is still good. P. P.K. Suban is not what he used to. They have Kulakov. Sammy Botting, that's another interesting name that I could see the devil's moving and then Ty Smith, he is a player. You know, he's going to be a good on that team for a while. New Jersey, I don't think they're as bad as the record indicates, but I also don't think that they're like this sleeper team that, you know, people were saying that they were when they beat the Penguins two out of three times just a couple weeks ago.

I know I was saying that they weren't as bad as the record indicates, but, you know, I also looked at those games and, you know, that third game, especially the Penguins had nothing left just because they played five games in seven nights. So, I mean, I know they're going to be finishing off a stretcher where they played three games in four nights and then I think four games in six nights. But overall, you know, they should be able to win these two games. It would be big for them, especially with the Islanders and the Capitol still garnering points almost every single night. But, Sandy Wives, the Penguins are two points behind Washington for second place. Four points behind the Islanders after they beat the Philadelphia Flyers night.

But yeah, like I said, Jack Hughes is the one you want to watch out for. Sarangovic is not bad. Pablo Zaka is a good player. Gesper Brought, Miles Wood, of course, defensively, like I said, Severson, Ryan Murray, and Ty Smith, you know, he is probably one of the more underrated players, not just on the Devils, but I think in the league as well. And we'll see if McKenzie Blackwood starts tomorrow. I think actually Aaron Dell might be their backup.

So one of the goal, one of those goals start, but for Pittsburgh, it will 99% be Casey's been. Actually, I'm going to go say 100% chance that it will be Casey the Smith. You know, Mike Sullivan usually doesn't go Tristan Jari two nights in a row. and especially with how Jari played on Thursday night against the Rangers, you know, he's going to give him the night off and put Casey to Smith back there to maybe have him redeem himself a bit just because his last few outings have also not been particularly kind.

But that would do it for this episode of the podcast. As always, I appreciate everyone listening to an episode, whether it's your first one or it's your 258, however many episodes I've done. I'll have another episode tomorrow night, recapping the Penguins game against New Jersey. And then for Monday, I'll have a walked-on-day. now video if they make a trade and then I'll have an episode on Monday. Overall, just going more

in depth about a trade if they make one and then recapping Sunday's game against New Jersey before the team has a few off days, I think. They don't play again until Thursday after Sunday and that game will be against the Philadelphia Flyers. But like I said, that would do it for this one. Thank you all so much for listening and I'll talk to you all Friday evening.