Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Can Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang do it for Sid?

Episode Date: May 13, 2022

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to play in another elimination game on Friday as they look to take down the New York Rangers. That said, they're going to likely be without Sidney Crosby and Hunter spends the first segment talking about how special of an opportunity this is for the Penguins. He goes into how the team is at home and how both Letang and Malkin have the opportunity to "Win for Sid." Crosby has done everything he can to will the Penguins to win this series and with him likely out, it may be time for the rest of his teammates to repay him. After that, Hunter touches on what he would do with the lines if Crosby is indeed out. Who should center the second line? Which wingers should move up and which should move down? What adjustment do the Penguins need to make to ensure that they win this game? Finally, Hunter pleads for the PPG crowd to be electric and to be that 7th man for the Penguins as it needs to be like a Mellon Arena crowd.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 “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.Athletic GreensAthletic 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/NHLNETWORK. 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.

Hello and welcome to a Thursday evening edition of this podcast, the Locked on Penguins podcast. Of course, have a lot to get to you for today's episode, including what I would do for the lineup tomorrow in case Cindy Crosby does not play. It's not looking good right now. Redeems a Hornah was called up. Adjustments going in,

what do the penguins need to do to make sure that they clinch this series and not have it go back to Madison Square Garden? And a couple other things that I have planned as well. So that's all coming up right after this drop. 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 back to another episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. You know, follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the shows Twitter at L.O. Arn's Squared Penguins. So Penguins, Rangers, Game 6, Friday night, 7 o'clock. I think everyone that listens to this podcast

would want to have their weekend start out in a perfect way if the penguins are able to close up their series against them. You know, right now it's looking probably a little more pessimistic that Cindy Crosby's not going to play. According to Rob Rossi, who wrote his piece today, he's being evaluated for a concussion. Ordeemzo Horna, of course, was called up. It's not looking good to say, at least.

You know, we have to see if he comes out from the morning skate. If he is there for the morning skate and he skates, he's probably going to play. if not, and I think that's more likely the more likely a scenario, you know, they're going to have to win an elimination game without Cindy Crosby. They've won playoff games without him before you. Most recently it was 2017 game four against the Washington capitalized. The Capitals outplayed them that game, but, you know, Malkin was great.

Actually, they won that game without Crystal Tang and Cindy Crosby, which is pretty crazy. I believe that was a three or two final. If Kenny Malkin led the way and the rest of their depth was truly great. And, you know, this is going to have to be the Evgeny Malkin in the Crystal Tang show. You know, there is, this is a sad play. This is a sad thing I'm going to say. But, you know, there is a chance that tomorrow could be the final ever home game in the big three era. And Sidney Crosby's not even going to be there to play it.

It's such a cruel world. Gino and Tanger can't let them lose that game. I mean, that's just, you know, it's the 30th anniversary. Penguins Rangers 1992. Game 6, actually, when the Penguins were down, Mario Lemieux, they're a superstar franchise player, just like the Penguins are probably going to be with Cindy Crosby. And they won the elimination game to go to the Eastern Conference Finals.

I know this time it's not the conference finals of the Penguins are going to go to, but sometimes fate works in mysterious ways. And the Penguins have the same opportunity for this game to win a game for their captain after he took a reckless, dirty hit from a player who was kind of just, you know, head hunting from the get-go, you know, that hit on, that hit from Truba on Jake Gensel, 20 seconds in was one of the penalties that the Rangers took to have that early 5-on-3. You know, this is a player that, you know, I'm not really going to give him the benefit of the doubt with a lot of these situations because he's had a lot of very, you know,

borderline hits. You know, again, it's not like Tom Wilson level or anything like that. But, you know, when you're skating that close to the surface or to the edge, excuse me, you're not going to get the benefit of the doubt in my mind. And again, you know, it's going to be a collective team effort. You know, it's always been next man up for the penguins. I mean, they won games, you know, when Sid had to miss a little bit of the year. I remember that opening game in Tampa Bay when no one gave the penguins a shot.

And the penguins just absolutely dismantled the lightning. And that was on the road. Their number one center for that king was Jeff Carter. They had Teddy Lou Ge, Brian Boyle. And I don't even remember who else was centering one of the lines. in that game. It's, you know, they won without both Sid and Gino for that game, and they did it in dominating fashion.

You know, this time it's going to have to be probably without Sid, who I know has been, you know, a amazing player in this series. It's honestly crazy how it looks like he's time traveled back to when he was 24, 25, you know, he had nine points in four games going into that game. He played a perfect 30 minutes. And, you know, again, I will say this again. If he hadn't gotten hurt, I would really like the Penguins' chances to win that game because the Rangers look dead.

They looked toast to me. And, you know, the Penguins, they're going to have to play that same style for a full 60, even without Sid, if he doesn't play, if they want to win that game, you know. And if there's any time for Afghani Malkin to have probably the best game of his career, it would be this one. You know, he's had an okay series.

He's had some good moments. He's had some bad moments. I think we really need Beast Mo Gino to come out here. You know, I remember the elimination game the Penguins had against the jackets. in 2014. And he'd been very quiet all series. And he'd been fine, but, you know, quiet, comes out, scores at Hattrick and Columbus to help the Penguins win a four to three a game.

You know, if he can come out and score a goal or two and also assist on a couple of goals tomorrow, that would be just absolutely massive for the team. Because, you know, all the other players will follow in his footsteps. And they're the same for Crystal Tang. I thought he's, I think he's had a great series for the most part. You know, he's had a couple of rough moments. But, you know, I think every player on this team has had a couple of rough moments. in this series.

And he also has an opportunity here to just, again, put the team on his back defensively and play a very strong game. You know, I loved Malkins quote in Rossi's article today. You know, he even said if Sid's not able to go, he put three words, you know, win for Sid. And Sid's always say, you know, it's me and Gino till the end. It's him, you know, it's us until we can't play anymore. And I know Gino's going to want to take that personally for this game.

You know, he's going to want to, he wants to keep playing with his boy for as long as he can. You know, I know he, I mean, I think he's probably going to be back next year. But until that, you know, his signature is signed on a contract, you know, we truly don't know what's going to happen. So this is such a massive game in the Penguins franchise history here. If they were to lose this series, it honestly would be one of the biggest what-ifs, I think, in this franchise's history. I know I'm not a lot of people are talking about that right now, but, Just because of, you know, you're up three games, you're up three games to one. You're doing it without your backup, your two goaltenders, Brian Duhlin, Rickel,

then boom, your captain gets hurt. If you were to lose these next two games without him, it would just be such a gut punch because of how well they played, even though they haven't even gotten, you know, that good of goaltending so far. It's just, it would be a total, I don't even want to think about how sad it would be. You know, for not just probably, again, the organization, but, you know, the things, as well again the gino and tangier have a chance to do something truly special in this game you know this is a perk this is a peak game where mike sullivan is going to have his guys ready to play you know

this is this is the type of game where the penguins win and again we've seen it in the playoffs before you know even when sid got knocked out that last time by matt niskin in 2017 but i believe that was the last time he missed a playoff game you know they were down a two nothing in that game and they rallied to tie it i know they lost an overtime off of a kevin shot and kirkill but then they come back the next game, they win three to two over Washington, and they're up three games to one, and Sid actually comes back in game five. He only missed, and that was a concussion. He only missed just a couple of days with that concussion. You know, obviously, you know, the penguin, we're hoping that he doesn't have a concussion, but, you know, if he does

and say the Penguins do lose tomorrow, you know, obviously the hope will be that he can go on Sunday. It just, it would be such a terrible break for this team that's had so many awful breaks this here if Sid is not able to play this game or on Sunday if it does reach that game. So I just wanted to spend this segment talking about the special opportunity that there is for the Penguins and why everyone needs to step up and win it for their captain who, you know, has been a man on a mission in this series. He's been tired of losing these last three years. He's put the team on his back.

You know, I saw this stat earlier in the day here. I think this will, I'm trying to find this on my soul. social media. I don't know why it's taking so long. I'm telling you, I just saw it. Yeah, from Jackie Raymond, 5E5 this series. Sidney Crosby, he's been on the ice for 58 scoring chances for, 18 scoring chances against, 39 slot shots for, 10 slot shots against. I mean, before he went down last night, his line was at 80% expected goals.

I mean, they probably had another goal in them at that point. It's just, it absolutely stinks that this is, that this has happened in this series because, you know, even if they had lost yesterday and Sid was able to return to the game, I would have felt a lot more comfortable going back to Pittsburgh because I know they would have Sid. And, you know, I think that would be enough at least for me. So, you know, we'll see. You know, I'm definitely a little more pessimistic right now. But again, this is a, this is a classic Mike Sullivan game. and I would love if the Penguins were to eliminate them and buy their cap more time to come back and give them some rest.

Because right now, you know, Carolina, Boston, you know, it's 2-0 Boston going into the third period. It looks like there's going to be a game seven. That's huge. You know, if the Penguins are able to close that out, you know, they get extra days of rest, you know, over a team such as Carolina. But coming up in the next segment,

we're going to go into what I would like the lines to be if Sidney Crosby's not able to be available, what adjustments I would make in all that jazz. Now, come, so what, okay, I'll just cut that. Let's get to athletic greens. So what is this stuff? With one delicious scoop of athletic greens, you're absorbing 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, whole food source, superfoods, probiotics, and adaptions to help you start your day right.

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of the Locktime Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. You're going to follow me on Twitter or Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L.O underscore Penguins. Excuse me. So let's get to some of the lines that I would like to see if Sid is not able to go. So what I would do, obviously, for the top line,

Jake Gensol, Guinea, Malk, and Brian Rust. Mike Sullivan made a very rare blunder in game five. When Sid did what left to the locker room, it was still 2-0-0-0-0. I believe there was less than six minutes left in the period. You just got to get to the end of that period, right? That's all the Penguins needed to do. They could reset an intermission, get back to playing that good style. You would have had a two-goal cushion for that last 20 minutes,

and I think the Penguins definitely could have won that game if Mike Sullivan made the, sorry about that, made the right call. but, you know, he put Jeff Carter up there for a couple of shifts with Gensel and Rust, and that's not going to work. You know, the bad stuff happened when they got pinned in their own zone for 45 to 50 seconds. And, you know, Adam Fox, great shot, great player. Maybe Tristan Jarrett stops that. Maybe he doesn't.

But, you know, that's when it really went to crap for the Penguins. And then, you know, the 2-2 goal, that happens with Alexei Roder, the reeling. Then the 3-2 goal, who was out of the 3-2 goal, who was out. there again, Jeff Carter. You know, he gets walked by Jacob Trubov of all people. Louis Deming lets in a howler. That can't go in. And then Sullivan decides to put a Gennie Malkin back up on the top line.

And guess what happens? They get the time goal 12 seconds later. Jake Gensel gets it. I know they lost in the third period. But, you know, had of Gennie Malkin been out there for that, you know, first shift when Adam Fox got that goal, who knows maybe that shot doesn't go in because he's at this point, you know, he's not a more of a defensive liability than Jeff Carter is, that's for sure. I mean, when Carter is not putting the puck in the back of the net, he's kind of useless out there.

And, you know, the penguins, you know, they learned that the hard way last night. Again, if Mike Sullivan makes the right call there, you know, who knows what the school race going into the third period, who knows if the penguins win that game. It was a very rare blunder for him. He's not going to make that same mistake. Again, Gensol, Malk, and Rust, load up the two best winners with your best center. for the second line, you know, I would give those minutes to Teddy Lugar. I don't think Jeff Carter deserves second line minutes.

I think he will get eight alive by either the Paneraan line or the Zabinajat line. The Zabinjad line has been getting worked at 5E5 by the Crosby line. Now it's going to have a little bit of a better matchup. At least Teddy Lugar is a good defensive center where he can take away chances in the defensive zone. You can surround him with wingers. You know, maybe you want to put Ricardo Rakel there. If he's ready to go, he's been skating with the team. I would assume he'll be at the morning escape tomorrow.

You know, maybe you want to put Jason Zucker with him there. You want to go Zucker, Blugher, Raquel. You know, I think that's fine if you ask me. And then you can put Jeff Carter down in the third line. Maybe Danton Heinen is with him. Or, you know, you could also have Dayton Hinen on the second line with maybe Teddy Bluger or Ann Ricard Raquel and then, you know, move Jason Zucker down to the third line. Evan Rodriguez, you can also have him flank on the third or second line.

I would personally have Rodriguez on the third line. And then your fourth line, you can have, you know, Brian Boyle, probably Drew O'Connor, and, you know, potentially, you know, redeems the Hornah might have to get in here at some way. But I also do like Bigsey. I think he's a really good player. You know, if Sid were healthy going into that game and Raquel was ready to go, I was going to potentially scratch Boyle just because I don't really think he's been that good. You know, he also made an error that I don't think enough people are talking about.

out. When it comes to the Rangers game winning goal from Phil Keel, the penguins are about to kill that penalty off. I believe there's less than 35 seconds left in it. And Boyle taking the puck in, he has the puck, so killing time, but he's deciding to skate into the Rangers zone,

and then he trips and falls and the Rangers go back the other way. They get the lucky bounds, Domingups up that power. If he just dumps that puck around, that goal does not happen. The penguins probably escape that power play. It's 5'5 for the rest of the period, and who knows if they can get a bounce there because I thought they were playing, you know,

even after that goal was score, you know, they ended up getting some decent chances. I, you know, it was just such a backbreaker because it was a mistake that, you know, he carried the puck into the zone like that one on two, one on three. You know, I don't really think Boyle has had that good of a series. If you're asking him, you know, he did set up, I think that Rod Regue's goal in game three. But, you know, outside of that, I don't really think I've noticed him. So, you know, in a perfect role, I would be scratching him for tomorrow, but I don't think that's going to work.

So again, you know, for the lines right now, Gensel Malkin, Rust, for sure. I would move Teddy Bluger up to the second line and maybe give him, you know, one of Dayton, Heinner, or Jason Zucker, and definitely where Carter if he's ready to go. Third line, I would give those minutes to Jeff Carter. You know, I don't think he needs,

he does not need second line minutes, and I don't think he deserves them. At this point, then you can have one of Heinner, Zalker, flanking him, and then maybe Rodriguez. They also could try, I believe, Adam Gretz first had this take on his Twitter account. If I can find, I believe he mentioned reuniting the Capon-Rodriguez-Carter line. If I can find this here real quick. Let me just make,

sure. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, that's my fault. Yeah. Yeah, Capone and Rodriguez-Zucker, that would make sense, too, because they actually did have some really good underlying number. So if you want to put Zucker down a little bit in the lineup and then have captain a little further down, not on the second line, I think that would also work to you. Mike Sullivan does have a lot of options for this game, to say the least. Again, I would not put Carter in that second line spot. It makes no sense to do it. Again, there's still a lot of depth here, even if Sidney Crosby is not able to go.

I think the Penguins can still win this game. all comes down to can they forecheck like usual can the underlying numbers you know can they get the same amount of expected goals maybe not know can the goaltending actually hold up you know is tristan jari potentially going to be ready that is a big question remember he took part in the morning skate the other day face some shots for the first time is he going to face more shots and is maybe labeled a game time decision you know it's probably more likely that louis domingo's at this point but again I also heard from a couple people that they were hoping that Tristan would be able to go in this game. And this would be a great environment to get him back in game action.

It's an elimination game. It's at home. I know there's some playoff demons at P.BGP's Arena, but this is going to be a raucous crowd in Pittsburgh. It would be a perfect time to put him in there. And again, you know, for those people that think that Tristan should not go in if he's in case, what's the word I'm looking for? again, there were people that said that Tristan shouldn't go in just because Louis was playing well, yet in terms of goals A-Stabove expecting his 8% he's one of the worst goaltenders in the playoffs. You know, he's done his job.

He's been a good story. But, you know, if Tristan's healthy and ready to go for tomorrow, I know who I'm starting, that's for sure. So a little more to get to for this episode of Lockton Penguins podcast coming up in our final segment. I'm just going to touch on, you know, just, you know, I think the atmosphere going into this game and just a little bit more as well. But before we get to that, our partners at Bet Online continue to be the number one source for all of your betting needs and sports info. You can find all the latest odds news and sports developments,

including this year's basketball playoffs, Major League Baseball scores, fights, and even next season's NFL futures. Benin line is to continue to source for all of your sports wager information from live betting to playoffs, e-sports, and more. You head to the website today or use your phone to learn more about the transit action that is Ben Online, where the game starts. All right, we're back here on this episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. I'm not following me on Twitter on Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins.

So, Game 6, P.PG. Pains Arena, this actually might be the loudest we may ever see this arena. The Igor chance, I'm sure, going to be out in full force. The fans are going to try to will this team to win if Sid is not able to go. you know this is i again i was this close to pulling the trigger on tickets i have them in my in my cart i'm speaking to my girlfriend we were trying to figure out the logistics but um she had a couple of things that came up you know we have a puppy over here as well um you know but if if they do win and they do advance i 100% say you know we we will be going down to raleigh just because it's closer or she just, you know, apparently she thinks it's too much for 10 hours.

You know, I disagree with her, but, you know, I know some of you all probably going to question why I'm dating this poor woman. But, you know, love does some interesting things, to say the least. I also will say, I am going to wear a different outfit. I'm not going to wear the same outfit I wore for the game yesterday and what I did for game for. I actually have my Tristan Jari shirt upstairs. I am going to try that. But I hope everyone in Pittsburgh that is going to the game just make. your presence felt. You know, the Rangers, you know, they have, they've struggled at PPG this year.

They're one in three. The only game they won was a true 50-50. It was a three-to-two game, or I thought the Penguins kind of outplayed the Rangers. You know, Pittsburgh, they have to, you know, bring their best effort here. The vibes will be really bad if the Rangers send this back to Madison Square Garden. I know the vibes were probably even worse when it was three to three in 2017 when the Penguins just lost two road to the capitals in the same situation. The Penguins were, really close to beating the Capitals in game five. They win that game. They blow Pittsburgh out in game six.

And then in Game 7, everyone's like, oh, this is a time for the Capitals are going to win. And then the Penguins go out there and blank them to nothing. You know, the vibes, they'll be worse than that because, you know, it's unlikely that Sid, I think will be even playing in that game. But, you know, this is,

it's all the more reason to close this out. And I just, I hope the entire fan base that is going, just make it like Melon Arena level. loud. That's all I, you know, I really ask for. And I, you know, just make, make it as deafening as possible. Hold mice advantage is real, especially in a town like this. I know how special Pittsburgh is, you know, to me, to everyone that listens to this show, to people that, you know, even just visit there at times. And I can safely say that I don't want offseason hockey content

on the show right now. I want to keep going. I want to keep giving you Penguins playoff content. I mean, this is the most amount of playoff wins they've had since I started the show. I absolutely love doing this. You know, we've been shattering the numbers for the month of May already. And if they win this game and they go to the second round, you know, I can only imagine what the numbers are going to be and all that. You know, I absolutely love talking about this team with you all. It means so much to me that everyone continues to listen. And I'm just, I'm so, I'm nervous, but I'm also excited.

You know, again, this is a peak Mike Sullivan game, backs. up against the wall. He's going to have them ready. I shouldn't say the backs against the wall, but they kind of are because if they lose this game, I really don't see a way they win it on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. So their backs kind of are up against the wall in a way. They got to treat this as if they lose this, they're toast, even though they do have another game after this. I know that sounds weird, but, you know, if you think about it, you know, I think you'll

know what I mean. Not really going to get into the full Jacob Truba discussion today. I understand that, you know, the NHL decided not to fine or suspend. him, you know, this is, this is part for the course of the NHL. Again, I'm not going to go into a five or six minute, ran about it. You know, George Peros, he doesn't care. He never has. I mean, think about this, Ian.

Jared Spursion literally intentionally cross-checked his stick on someone's ankle to literally break or sprain it, and he somehow was not even fined or suspended for it. And we expect this play to be a fine or suspendable play. No, there's no consistent to see with this department. They stink. They don't know what they're doing. I wish I could say I was surprised that there was no discipline, but no, I am not, to say the least.

It was a bad hit. You know, it was at a time where the Penguins were in control of the game. You know, Jacob Trubo was kind of throwing his elbow around the entire game. I don't, again, I don't think it was. I personally don't think it was intentional, but I also, I'm not going to give him a big benefit of the doubt. I will say as I'm finishing you this up, Carolina has scored to make it two to one. So we will see if Carolina is able to come back in this game. Or if Boston will send this to a game seven. But thank you all so much for

listening to this episode. I have a full game recap episode coming up for you all on Friday. We'll see what the Penguins can do. If the Penguins win, you know, maybe I'll chug a beer on this podcast or something like that. If it's a loss, the vibes are definitely going to be a lot lower, to say the least. But this is the big one guys the penguins are at home they've won these two games very well it's time to win one more if sid's not able to go you got to do it for your captain who has been you know your your your your your heart and soul of this run so far so thank you all so much for listening i'll be back from another episode on friday evening and i'll talk to you all then