Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - "Best of the year" for the Penguins?

Episode Date: March 3, 2023

What a win for the black and gold! Hunter is in awe of how this team played given everything that has gone on recently and he starts the show off by going into Drew O'Connor's overall game. He looks at why he should be here to stay for the rest of the year as he is the perfect fourth-liner for this team. He also compares his goal tonight to one of the most important goals in franchise history that happened during the 2009 one since they looked very, very similar. He also looks at how Jason Zucker continues to have one of the best seasons of his career as he's been their most consistent winger. Should he get re-signed? Hunter has some trouble with that question but that's also kinda for another time. After that, Hunter goes into how the leadership group and Mike Sullivan have done a great job with this team this week based on so many changes. He looks at how hard they've played for each other and why the bond this team has looked to be insanely special. Finally, he ends the show by complimenting Mikael Granlund for his debut and how he made Jeff Carter turn back into his old self...for at least a night. He analyzes his work on the PK, plus how he looked dangerous on offense at times before analyzing Jeff Petry's performance. He then ends the show with a quick trade deadline primer as he makes his prediction for Friday.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.IndeedStart hiring RIGHT NOW with a SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/LOCKEDON​. Offer valid through March 31st. Athletic GreensTo make it easy, Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/NHLNETWORKFanDuelMake Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) 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.

This team truly is something else. Just when you think they're out, they pull you right back in, make it four in a row for your Pittsburgh Penguins, a five to four win over the Tampa Lightning. Start off the show. I'm going to tell you what exactly that Drew Conner goal looked like from years past in a former penguin game.

And we're going to get into Jason Zooker's Heroics, plus how that third line performed with Mikhail Granland on it, all that plus so much. much more coming up on this episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. You're Locked-on Penguins. Your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network. Your team every day.

Hello and welcome to a very late Thursday edition of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. We're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the shows Twitter at Annalist or Penguins. And of course, thank you all so much for making this. your first listen of the day. Penguins 5, Lightning 4, they sweep the season series

against the Lightning. They've now won five of their last six against the Lightning. It is hilarious. They can go 3-0 against this team, one of the best in the league. But they can also go a combined 0-7 total against the Islanders

and the Hurricanes. Hockey is silly. That's just my best explanation for it at this point. But what a win for this hockey team. Just one week after their most embarrassing effort of the season. They get blown out at home by the Oilers. Fire, Hechtall, fire, Hechtall.

This team's done. They're not making the playoffs. Heck, you know, I was basically there at that point when I went on Chris Mack's show where I was like, I think they might be done. They pull you right back in. And now there are five points up on that last playoff spot in Wild Card 1 right now, which means they would be playing the Carolina Hurricanes if the playoffs started tomorrow. So his team, you know, everyone's out there down again.

It ain't just me. Fans, media members, people outside. But they're finding ways to win. And part of that tonight started with Drew O'Connor. He is here, folks. Drew O'Connor is here. And I think he is here to stay. His confidence level is through the roof right now.

He is playing the best hockey of his short NHL career. and it's great. They need some infusion of youth in this lineup just because it's filled with a lot of older players. But man, has he been awesome as an addition to the fourth line? Remember, he wasn't even on the team to start this season. There's a bunch of other players playing over him. He was doing well in Wilkesbury, but he's finally getting his chance.

He is looking like a full-time regular, and it needs to say it that way for the rest of the season. I don't know about Yins, but if you saw that goal tonight, did it remind you of something from years past? Someone else on Penguin Swirr noticed it. She tweeted out first. I wasn't going to tweet about it,

but because I wanted to bring it up on my show. And did that goal not remind you of Jordan Stahl's goal in the Stanley Cup final against the Tread Red Wings in 2009? The shorthanded goal, remember? Backhand four. hand Brian Rolfo.

He went to the stick side of Chris Ozka. This one was to the glove side of Andre Rasselowski, but it was very similar. The way that both shielded the puck on their back hands, the way they used their body to move back the defender so that they couldn't make a play on the puck. And then they just ripped a wicked wrist or to score there. I mean, obviously I know, you know,

Stalls won tied the game. This one gave the Penguins the lead. But a very similar goal to the one that Stahl scored, I can't believe it, 14 years ago. Can you believe that? 14 years. For reference, I was 11 at the time. I'm 25 now. But just reminding me a lot.

His celebration was awesome. The goal was great. He is playing some exquisite hockey right now. He cannot come out of this lineup. You know, even if they make another trade tomorrow, we're, going to get to that a little later on the show. I'm going to share, you know, part of what I've heard and part of other reports I've seen. We'll get into that. But even if they do make a move, he cannot come out of this lineup. He's playing too good of hockey right now. I understand it's a

short sample size, but he has been awesome. And yeah, could have that could should have had been the game winner tonight, probably. But man, offensively, defensively, whatever rule that Mike Sullivan is asking him to play. He is doing it and doing it at a very high level. Goals in two of his last three games. Ever since that call-up, he has been very good. It seems like he's only continuing to get better and better.

Remember the first time he was here, Yens looked like an ECHL player. I don't know why my German chipper dog is barking downstairs. But you know, we're just going to go with it. You know, she must have heard something. But, you know, I don't know what she's doing. But, you know, it's, it's, well, I think we're going to have to pause just real quick here. Okay, we are back after that.

I don't know what she was barking at, but you all got to hear my wonderful German shepherd bark. But as I was saying, remember when first came up just a couple of years ago, we really knew who he was, but it looked like he didn't even come close to belonging at the NHL level, was sent back down almost right away. since then the development for his game has been unreal and he deserves up he deserves to be on this team right now and i and for the rest of the season as well just a tremendous game from him um he really helped the penguins um come through in this game obviously jason zucker what more can you say about him at this point his the legend at him continues to grow two more goals tonight one on a breakaway the overtime winner of course

He's on a 27 goal pace this season. You know, what else needs to be said about him? Playing up to the player that I think a lot of us expected him to be when he first came over just a few seasons ago. I just, I can't say enough about it. I know that those injuries really stunk for him because, you know, had he not been hurt, you know, I think he would have been putting up the numbers that he is right now.

do I think he gets signed after the season? I'm leaning towards no because I don't know if they can do a long-term extension with him because Tristan Jari is up. They got to pay Jake Gensel. Obviously, McCall McIll-Granlon makes $5 million for next season. I don't think they're going to give up on him, especially if Hextall is back next season.

Man, I don't know. It's going to be a really tough call. Again, I'm leaning no, but let's not think about that right now. Let's focus on the hockey that he is playing. He has been everything anything this team is needed and more honestly. He has been, again, I keep saying as

he's been their most consistent winger this season. It has not even been close in my eyes. Two beautiful goals, one five on the breakaway. Also, shout out Marcus Pedersen on that pass. Beautiful little floater over everyone. Find Zucker.

Zucker stick right on the tape of it. Goes five hole. And then Pedersen again, in overtime, gets the puck to Zucker who rips, who rips, excuse me, a wicked one-timer. Passa Henri Paselewski. Those two were finding each other all night long. Tremendous performances from both. But I really wanted to show out the show just by focusing on those two, especially, you know, O'Connor, because, man, he was something else in this game.

And I really think they found someone here on the fourth line. That youth, it's working. I know people have wanted more youth of the lineup that are Terry Pustin, Alex Neelander. I don't know if they're going to see them for the rest of the season. you know, want to see if they obviously make another trade tomorrow with that limited cap space. But I will say this, the youth that they do have in O'Connor, he's here and he is here to stay. That's what I'm going to say on that. But that wraps up this first segment. Coming up in the second segment, we're going to get into how I feel this was probably the game of the year

and why this game was so important in terms of their playoff positioning. And plus how, you know, this has been a wild few days for this. team why Mike Sullivan has been really shining these last few days. That's all coming up right after this commercial break. But before we get to that, we have to touch on Fandall, which is the official sportsbook partner of Locked on. The Midway Point of the NBA season is here. And now it's the perfect time to download Vandul. America's number one sportsbook because new customers get a no-swet first bet up to $1,000. And that's bonus bets back if your first bet does not win. Just download the app right now it's safe, secure, and super easy to use.

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slash locked on to learn more. Make every moment more with Fandul the official sports betting partner of the NBA. We're back here in this episode of the Lockdown, Penguins podcast. I am your host. Hunter Hodey's is going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodey's all the shows, Twitter at Ellenmoremore for Penguins. And, of course, thank you all so much for making this your first list in the day.

We are free and available on all platforms. So this game in general, is it just me or might, could this have been the win of the year for the Penguins? I think the only game that can definitely touch it or come close to is that game against the avalanche where they were brutally outplayed, but they found a way to win. This one, though, a really strong effort through 60 minutes, especially after. everything that happened yesterday. Teddy Bluegersone, who was pretty beloved in that locker room, goes out, and Kyle Granlin comes in,

Brock McGinn was placed on waivers. This team's been through so much, and yet they look to be as close as ever. I mean, they know it's, you know, the business side of things. The dads are on the trip. It's got to be super freaking awkward. When Brian Burke comes up to you, hey, you're traded. Your dad's standing right there.

And then all the other dads around here are like, holy crap, that really just happened? I mean, geez. But true to this, you know, this team, they're sticking together. They're playing inspired hockey. That starts at the top. Cindy Crosby, that leadership group, you know, he's seen a lot of hockey, obviously, throughout his career. He's not going to let anyone slack off, especially during this time. You're fighting for a playoff spot.

Starts with him. also starts with Mike Sullivan. This is probably, in the Mike Sullivan era, I would probably say this is the worst roster he's had. I think that would be fair to say, right? 2015, 16, 2016, 2017, 17, 18, that was a pretty good team. A couple years after, I thought that,

you know, I thought, you know, the 2019-20 team, the 2020-20-21 team, honestly, even last year's team, those three teams blow this one out of the water, in my opinion. I think maybe you could argue 2018, 19 or 2017-19 is worse than this one but i think in my opinion this is probably the worst team he's had in the era and you know they're still playing this inspired hockey under him that shows you something i understand all head coaches in this league have shelf have shelf lives but on any given day he is a top three to top five head coach you have seen that this week but playing hard under him

they're playing 60 full minutes penguins hockey this is the reason why he is the head coach or one of the main reasons. And, you know, just performance they put up offensively. They were forechecking aggressively. You know, even they were defending fine outside of, you know, four minutes left in the third period, hadn't was able to tie it. But still, you know, this was just a great performance overall. And the numbers would back that up.

You know, five on five, very close. The lightning had an edge and shot attempts. Small edge and squinted chance with the Penguins had. nine high danger chances for, they only allowed four high danger chances against in over 60 plus minutes. If you go to expected goals, 50-50 there. But in terms of actual goals,

4-5-on-5, 66%. If you go to all situations, about 50-50 in terms of shot attempts, almost 50-15 in scoring chances, same thing. Actually, no, excuse me. I was looking at 5B-5 there by accident. Shot attempts,

Penguins actually had a small edge. In that, they were a little down in terms of scoring chances, but they had a dead edge in high danger. And they had an edge in expected goals, 51 to 48. They were hounding the lightning all game long, I thought, you know, this was a playoff-like atmosphere, playoff like intensity. And, you know, they were playing it like it was game seven to stand like a final. And again, man, this is, this all falls on that leadership group, that. that head coach and all the other

players around them because again you know some of these players they know when teams don't have it they do you know look at 2014-15 that team didn't have it even 2017-18

they went around but they didn't have it that year they were gassed 2018-19 you knew they didn't have it that year and sure do they probably have it this year probably not but look at what they've been doing this week

probably again and gets placed no waivers on Tuesday. He goes out and plays his heart out. The rest of his team answers the Dell, especially that leadership group. Teddy Bluebird then gets traded the next day. McGinn gets sent to Wilkesbury. They trade from a Kyle Gremlin. They go out and have this kind of performance against a team that's been a three straight-s and only cup finals. What more can you ask for? Team is playing some inspired hockey. I understand. I don't get this team either, but you cannot knack just the tenacity of this team, how good of the leadership group it is,

and just how they are not quitting on this season. They're five points up now on the team that's on the ninth place team. They're one point up on the Islanders with still a few games in hand. They have an opportunity here to potentially avoid playing the Bruins in the playoffs. Right now, it looks like they're going to get in. We'll have to see what happens with these other teams. But, you know, just what a trend. tremendous win for this hockey team.

And it also helps that the teams around them keep losing. They're getting a lot of help. Sabres keep losing. The Red Wings keep losing. The Islanders, they have the games in hand. The Capitals, they won the other night, but there's still five points up on them. I know the senators have creeped up a little bit,

but, you know, the Penguins, you know, they're winning. A lot of the teams around them are losing. That's big. Think about that. So, really wanted to focus on that. for this segment. Coming up with the final segment,

how did McIle Grinland doing his debut? I'm going to answer that. Plus, will the Penguins make another move on Friday? I'm going to answer that for you all as well. But before we get into that, if you are hiring, you need Indy. Because Indeed is the hiring partner where you can attract, interview, and hire all in one place.

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Need to hire. You need indeed. All right. I'm back here in this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter on Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at Amherstore Penguins. And of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen of the day.

So, Michael Gremlin, obviously the big acquisition from Wednesday. No, I've been around this community along. time, I will say this. I don't think I've ever seen fans, media members, people outside the team, that against a signing or signing or not straight. Other than the Jack Johnson one, don't think I've ever seen anyone against that. But hey, I think we all got to eat Crow, at least for a night. I liked what I saw from him. I know he didn't score and his finishing ability is not, you know, it's not good at this point in his career, but I liked a lot of what he did. He was very good on the penalty kill,

had a couple great clears towards the late stages of the second period when the Penguins were on that five-on-three kill. Thought he also made some slick passes that almost developed into some goals. Had a couple of scoring chances around the net where he almost buried them. Thought he played very solid, good debut for the newcomer. And his line that he played on, Jeff Carter and Danton Heinen, they had a 75% expected goals rate. Round of applause.

He had Jeff Carter. Here. Let's just take a pause here. One second. Hockey stat cards, which I love. Remember, data from, you know, Dom, natural stat trick. Mikhail Gremlin was partly responsible for Jeff Carter having the highest average game score of anyone on the team. I'm not joking.

I'm really not. Jeff Carter was reincarnated and brought back to life because McHall Gremlin was on his line's night. That is what I think I'm. I learned. His average game score tonight was almost three. It was three point five. Let all penguins skaters. He's minus three point five. And it's just, it's just crazy. Again, that third line tonight, 75% of the expected goals rate per money pump. If you use natural stratrix, it's kind of the same. But tonight, when they were on the ice, 60% of the shot attempts at 5E5, one goal for zero goal against. Um,

So no scoring chances against, no high danger chances against. Job well done, if you ask me, that line was, dare I see good? Dare I not good. Dare I say great? I never thought I'd see the day. It's just, you know, I know. It's one game. They may not do that the rest of the season.

But we're going to take those victories with this one. I thought it was a solid debut for the newcomer. He keeps playing like that. And he's going to make me, and I think a lot of, I think almost the entire fan base and almost all the media members eat a lot of crow. And people, you know, some people try to come dunk on me and other people. I don't mind being wrong. I have been wrong about a million things in hockey ever since I started covering this team.

Ever since I started watching this team, I will be wrong a million more times. It does not phase me the slightest. I don't care. I laugh at myself when I'm wrong. You know, I crapped on the Cody Cic signing. What would happen? I dumped on the Mike Mathis and trade. What would happen?

you know, we'll have to see. He seems like a great kid, someone with a head on his shoulders. If anything, you know, I think everyone were all just upset with the general manager because they could have added someone else that, you know, fits the team better. But we'll have to see. It's a good start tonight. Like when he brought to the table, hopefully he can keep that going. But, you know, yeah, he even had Jeff Carter out there as, you know, one of the best

in terms of average game score. Jeff Petrie, I thought this was probably one of the finest performances of the season, if not his best one. third and average game score, he gets the two goals. His eighth career multi-goal game, awesome stuff from the veteran defensemen. Two goals in 25 seconds. I should add, he was a menace in this one. POJ, second and average game score, thought he was defending hard.

He was robbed by Andrei Vasilevsky before. He had been tied the game in third period. That probably would have put the game away. In that situation, I think it was towards the end of the power play, if not after it expired. But really liked his game. and this one is well, Marcus Pedersen, you know, for people that say that, you know, he can be trade-bated at the deadline. I've got some bad news for you. I'd be stunned if he got traded.

And based on the way he played tonight, based on the way he's played this season, they better not ever think of trading him right now at least. This is the best season of his career, and he is playing his tail off, to say the least. Other miscellaneous thoughts, you know, Shishin Jari, thought he was mostly fine. people are going to maybe harp on that fourth goal. If anything, Marcus Pedersen probably needs to get out of the way there. That's maybe the only bad play that he had in this game. If you're in that situation and Victor Hedman's coming in, you're either coming up or you're getting out of the way, right?

Just get out of the way in that situation. There's just no need to back up so far that your goalie doesn't see the puck. Poor Chris Lattang. So he had 24 stitches in his lip. Had blood gushing from there, his hand. Dude, he's just been through the ringer this year. dude needs a break. I thought he played fine overall, but man, you know, give the poor guys, cut the poor guys some slack at this point. You know, otherwise, you know, I thought this was

very sound performance from everyone in the Penguins. They'll try to do a full sweep on this road trip when they go to floor, they go, when they go down to Fort Lauderdale slash sunrise on Saturday, take on the Panthers, which is no second home of the Penguins because they always take over that arena. Now, to end the show, trade deadline tomorrow, 3 p.m. Eastern. What do I expect? I was told earlier today by someone close to the team that they're not expecting a move. Now, I also did see that Day on Kabachievich, and I'm sure he has his own sources.

He was saying that they're after a third line, banger-type player. I don't know what that means. Maybe it means someone who brings truculence, as Brian Burke likes to say, someone who can throw his body, be a little more physical. Okay. for that, but the player has to be able to actually, you know, skate, score, and defend. I don't need some Nick Deloree or Austin Watson type player coming in here who just throw hits and that's it.

You know, those players don't score. They don't defend. I'm not interested in that kind of player. Now, if a player like that comes around where you can get them for cheap and maybe move some salary out, I'm all for it, though I'm not really sure who from the team right now is going to get moved other than maybe Brock McGinn from the minors, maybe. I'm not sure. If you're putting a gun to my head right now,

I don't think they're going to do anything. Would I be surprised? No, I would not be. So we'll have to see what happens with that. But Penguins in Wild Cards won right now. Five points up on the ninth place team. The vibes are good, and it would be so Penguins, if this is the team that goes on a run after all the crap we've said.

And yeah, I know it would say if Ron Hexdoll's job, which is probably what none of you all want. But it would just be hilarious if this is the team that somehow went on a run. But we're celebrating right now. Great win. They'll conclude the road trip on Saturday when they head down to sunrise

to take on the Panthers in another big game because the Panthers right now, they lost to the Predators tonight. You have to see what they do on Friday. They might sell. Sam Ryan Hart's, I think, might be out there, maybe Sam Bennett. I don't know.

That's an interesting team right there. So we'll have to see. But again, thank you all so much for listening. much appreciated. We'll be back with another episode on Friday to recap what the Penguins did or did not do on Deadline Day, plus previewing the game against the Florida Panthers for you all again. Thank you all so much for listening. Very much appreciate it. Talk to you all sometime on Friday.