Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Can the Penguins get a little bit of vengeance?

Episode Date: May 14, 2021

Part 2 of a two-part crossover with Locked On Islanders is here! In this episode, Hunter and Gill go all into the matchups. Who will Barry Trotz put out against the Sidney Crosby line? Gil also gets into the BBB line that the Islanders have and how it's been one of the more underrated lines in hockey this season. Who will Mike Sullivan put out there against them? What can the Penguins exploit in the Islanders matchup? Is there anything that concerns Gil in matching up with Pittsburgh? The two also then get to their predictions for the series and I'm sure Penguins fans will like Hunter's but hate Gil's. It's showtime, peeps!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.WealthfrontTo get your first $5,000 managed for FREE, for life, go to wealthfront.com/LockedOnNHL. 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 Friday afternoon episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast and the Locked on Islanders podcast. This is part two of the crossover preview between the Penguins and the Islanders. This episode is brought to you by Lockroom.

You can download the app and join me this week, probably on Sunday right after the game to get in on the action. Lockroom changing the way we talk sports. So like I just said, this is part two of our two-part preview. And there's a lot of key matchups going into this series, Gil. You know, the more I've been thinking about it, I talked about it in part one. I'm curious to see the big little chess match of Mike Sullivan and Barry Trots here.

I'm assuming that the Sydney Crosby line is going to get a lot of Pelich and Pollock. That's one of the best defensive pairs in the league. honestly, both should be getting a little bit of Norris consideration. If they could win a Norris together, that's maybe who I'd give it to or maybe have them both be a finalist, though. Adam Fox has been really good this year, as has Cal McCar. But I'm guessing they're going to get a lot of the Pelich-Poic pair, and then vice versa, I think you're going to see Barzell and Everly get a lot of

Dumlin-Littang. And this time with the Penguins defense, the one thing from 2019 that the Islanders did a very good job of was exploiting the other two pairing. You had, for some reason, Jack Johns is eating up top four minutes. That is no longer the case as he is off this team mercifully. And you had Justin Schultz on there who wasn't playing at a high level. Eric Good Branson was on there playing meaningful minutes. Olimata was also on there.

It was a train wreck. But now the defense is much better to play against this system, I think, where all six of these players are masterful at getting the puck out of their zone. And I think we touched on this a little bit in part one. And I think Pedersen-Marino is going to go up a lot against the Bailey, Beauvillier, and Nelson Limeb. You know, what matchups are you really looking forward to in the series? Or what do you expect to happen with some of these matchups?

Well, you know, you mentioned Pelick and Pooleck. And first of all, it's great to hear someone who's not following the Islanders all the time or an Islander fan give them their due because they're the kind of duo that you look at the stat sheet and there's not a lot there. But if you watch them game in and game out, they are so solid and allow this team to play the style of hockey that they play so effectively. So it's nice to hear some praise for that duo. And yes, I think that duo will match up mostly against Crosby and also probably be out there for some important penalty kills.

You know, the other thing is, though, getting back to that second duo of Nick Letty and Scott Mayfield, can they handle the second and or third lines that the penguins are putting out there? Because, you know, Pittsburgh is so deep. They have so many weapons offensively. And, you know, can you shut down Malkin's line under those circumstances when, you know, you also have to deal with Crosby? you shut down Jeff Carter, who has oh so red hot. So I think the important thing for the Islanders is that they're all six of their defensemen. They don't have to be fancy. They don't have to make

these big long outlet passes that set up immediate scoring chances, but they have to be smart and they have to get the puck out of the zone without turning it over. If they do that, this team is good enough defensively to at least slow down the penguins enough to win the theories. Yeah, I absolutely agree with that. And, you know, as for the Penguins with, you know, important matchups for them, you probably are going to see Sullivan Feed Crosby to the Barzell line. And that's going to be interesting because now you're trusting your depth to go out against, you know, the Bailey line and then the Sazicus Martin Clutterbuck line to win those matchups and to get the chances in the offensive zone and not just get the chances, but finish them

as Pittsburgh has done very well this year. And the actual goals, not just the expected goals. Pittsburgh is at 55.5%. That is seventh overall, actually right behind the Islanders who are sixth at 55.6%. In expected goals, though, Pittsburgh is a little bit further down, but the Islanders are at 53.6% of the expected goals. That comes courtesy of Money Puck. They have a great say for all your underlying numbers.

but that's just my opinion on what Sullivan will do with his top line. It's also going to be tough to get the puck off Barzell because, as I said in part one, he is a walking zone entry machine. He's ridiculous. And then for the second line with Malcolm, you may see them go out against the Bailey line, though you also might see them go out against the third line, which just also opens up all these possibilities for the Jeff Carter,

Jared McCann duo, and then with Freddie Goodrow on there, and that line to me is the big X-actor. McCann has enjoyed a very stellar season, finished with around 14 goals, only making $2.9 million per just ridiculously underpaid. And his playmaking ability came into his own this season and his defensive play as well as honestly his defensive play was just so much better than it was last season. And him and Carter on the same line,

it's almost like a cheat code of a third line because you can also hardly get the puck off them as well. Carter is one of the best volume. shooters in the league, has nine goals since coming over from Los Angeles. It's almost a point per game player. So I don't envy Barry Trots when he tries to come up with a good matchup against that Penguins third line. And, you know, this is the kind of third line for Pittsburgh that it's just when they've won the Cups in the past, they have that really good scoring third line. It was Cookstall Kennedy in 2009. Then he had HBK in 2016 and to a degree in 2017, though

they also flipped Phil Kessel up to playing with Evgeny Malkins. So it's like overall though with the penguins, I expect them to do what I think they've done all season. Like I said, they've been icing Crosby up against Barzell. They'll do Dumlin-Latang also against that top line. Pedersen-Rerino, I think, will go out against the Bailey line. And then I also, you honestly, I think the Sizicus Clutterbuck and Martin line, which is one of the better fourth lines in hockey, I think is going to see a heavy dose of Matheson-C-C-C-G.

which has been a huge surprise. If anyone has listened to any one of my episodes this year, I'm eating crow on both of those players. Let's just say that. Yeah, I think that the Islander's third line may also be the key to them because, you know, you've got a great two-way center in J.G. Pajot who wins face-offs, who can put the puck in the net, be on that second power play unit, kill penalties,

and is very strong in his own zone. Wallstrom, the rookie, is up and coming, a heavy shot. You watch, when he shoots the puck, even if it doesn't go in, the goalie feels that because he really has a heavy, strong shot. And then maybe the ultimate wild card for the Islanders is going to be Kyle Palmeri. Does he start to click with his linemates? Does he start to produce? If he does, the Islanders can probably match the Penguins

you know, if they play good defense, they can match the penguins goal for goal if they have all four of their lines clicking. And Palmeri may very well hold the key to that happening. Yeah, you know, that's a big one for New York is getting him going because he was a player that I would have loved to gotten at the trade end line, but definitely not for that price. And, you know, so far as we touched on in part one as well, he has not been as advertised thus far, you know, just hardly putting up any points, especially goals that is, because usually you know him for his goal scoring ability, but he has just not done that yet since coming over.

And then, you know, the same with Travis DeJack as well, Gil. I mean, I think like we talked about, he's kind of trying to fight his way into the lineup. I don't think that's what anyone expected coming in here. But you also said at best, you know, if he does well in the playoffs as well as Palmieri, that's all you remember if the Islanders do go on a deep run. And, you know, speaking with about Pajot, again, another player a couple years ago who I will love the penguins to get.

I think he was severely underrated in Ottawa, also very underused. I hated that the islanders got him, but he's been a nice fit there ever since he came there. I also signed that huge extension, right, when he got there as well. So I think that's a player that's not talked about enough, and I'll be curious to see where Trots uses him,

just in the matchup. It wouldn't surprise me if they try to match up at times. at least, Pajot against Crosby and or Malkin, just because he is such a strong defensive center and it can also provide you that extra bit of offense. I think that when the games are at the Nassau Coliseum and the Islanders have the last change, you may want to, you know, when they need a stop, when they need strong defense, they will try to match up the Pajot line against the whatever line the penguin sent out there to try to, to scoff. four goals. Yeah, and that'll be interesting to see. I mean, it makes sense for Pajot to go up

against Malkin. I mean, Gino, it's been a tale of two seasons for him. He struggled right out of the gate. His hands and legs were there. Then started to turn around, then got hurt. And then the last four games looked more like the second half, Gino that we saw, but wasn't all the way back yet. I still think he's not 100%. So I think as of right now, you might see Pajot win that matchup more times than not. But if Gino is back to the way that we all know that he can play at, I think it's going to be a bit more tougher, obviously, for Pajot to win that just because when I've got any Malkins on, there's not 10 players, I don't think, in hockey, that can do what he does in the offensive zone. But right now, I think I would have to come close

to giving that edge to Pajot just because Gino is not all the way back yet. So, like I said, But we'll have to see. But coming up in the next segment, we will touch on some matchups for the Islanders. So stay tuned for that. And then also later on in the episode, well, both of us are going to make our predictions for the series. Before we get back to part two of our two-part preview with the Locked-on Penguins and the Locked on Islanders podcast, it's time to talk about wealthfront. Investing can be complicated. But whether you're a beginner, you've been investing for years, wealthfront makes it easy.

If they have the right tools for every portfolio, they can create a portfolio, of globally diversified, low-cost index funds, personalized just for you in minutes. It can even help you lower the taxes you pay as you invest. For the average client, their tax loss harvesting can more than cover the low annual. 0.25% advisory fee. Best of all, it is automatic.

Wealthfront is trusted with over $20 billion of assets and you can get your first $5,000 managed for free by going to wealthfront.com slash locked on NHL. Remember to get your first $5,000 managed for free for life, go to wealthfront.com. slash locked on NHL. That's wealthfront.com slash locked on NHL

to start growing your savings. One more time, go to wealthfront.com slash lockdown NHL and get started today. All right. So we're back here on this special

Part 2 crossover with Lockedon Penguins, me, Hunter Hodes and Gil Martin of Lockton Islanders. So, Gil, when you look at this series from an Islander's perspective,

what are the most important matchups for you? What are you expecting from Barry Tross? I know we touched on the Pajot thing. early on, well, just in the last segment, the last couple of minutes, I know I touched on a bit with Crosby going up against Pellick and Pollock. Do you have anything else that we haven't talked about where, you know, like that's an important matchup that Trots may pursue against Sullivan? Well, I think they've got to keep that B&B line going. And, you know, last year in the playoffs, the two guys who really stepped up their game above

and beyond what they did in the regular season was Josh Bailey and Anthony Bavillier. And Bailey, I think, had 20 points in 22 playoff games last year. Bavillier really took his game to another level in the playoffs and his speed made a big difference. They have got to keep that trio hot. And especially with Anders Lee out of the lineup, Brock Nelson's offensive contributions become that much more important for this team because they don't have, you know, as much scoring power on that top trio with Leo Kamarov in that spot. So I think that's going to be a very important matchup, that they want to keep that B&B line away from the toughest checkers that the penguins are going to throw at them.

Yeah, that's a big, we talked about that a little bit earlier. You know, that line, I really do think it could be a little bit of the mismatch problem for Pittsburgh, but again, I would expect Pedersen and Marino to eat up a lot of those minutes. And you said a best, I mean, Josh Bailey had a really good run in the bubble, Anthony Bavillier had his best playoffs yet. There are two, I think, of the more underrated players on the Islanders. I don't think they scare anyone that much. that's for Barzell and Eberley, but there's still two quality depth pieces that at any given

moment can break out and score goals and bunches. Yeah, and Bailey, you know, the thing about Bailey, again, he's not a big goal scorer per se, but he has such great vision. He sees the ice so well, and his passing is really top notch. And, you know, he's very good on that second power play unit also when he has a little extra space and a little extra time to maneuver, that makes a big difference for Josh Bailey. And he will bring out the best in any goal score that he is paired with. The other matchup that obviously has, you know, a lot of focus for me, the Islanders have to find a way to slow down the Penguins power play. And this is sort of a matchup of strength against strength because the Islanders penalty kill was sixth in the league,

83.7% success rate. We know how good the Penguins power play is. They were fourth in the league with a 23.7% success rate. And whoever wins that battle, I think, will have a big advantage in this series because if the Penguins power play gets slowed down or stopped, that's going to put a lot more pressure on them to win five on five and five on five is where the islanders tend to thrive. Yes, I completely agree with that.

You know, the Penguins PowerPlay was definitely, I guess, for lack of better words, excuse my language, a shit show in the first month, two month and a half of the season, and then really came into it in the second half. You know, this, this PowerPlay Unit Gill was around 23rd, 24th. And then whenever Gino went out and Jared McCann went up, he just kind of made that powerplay resurgence. And I'm not here to tell everyone. oh my God, Evgeny Malkin's going to be on the second powerplay unit. He's not.

He's going to be reclaiming his spot up there. And he was in the four games when he came back. I think they scored, I think, three power play goals in the four games when he was there. But McCann just brought another element to a shot first mentality. And he actually, I believe, led the team in power play goals this season. And they were able to get back up to a top five powerplay that we've all known and been accustomed to in the Sydney Crosby of Guinea-Malkan era. And as you said, it is kind of a strength on strong.

strength. You know, the Islanders, you said, had a top 10 penalty kill. I think this season for the special teams, I think Pittsburgh did have a few power play goals against the Islanders. I know one of them, it wasn't technically a power play goal, but they had that six on five like I talked about in the part one. Right. And blasted it passed Varlamov with about 20 seconds left. I think that was their first six on five goal in a couple of years. This is not a team that scores a lot of six on five goals. So, but, you know, turning it around to the other side, you know, the Islanders power play can also potentially do a lot of damage as well because the Penguins PK has not been good this year. They run the system called a wedge plus one, learn that from Jesse Marshall of the

athletic, where, you know, they have three players that kind of create a triangle around the slot area from like the video that I've seen in like from what I've learned. And they have the other player just kind of be a pest. And usually that's Brandon Tanniv because he's just a wrecking ball on the PK and honestly just overall while playing. His addition to the lineup is going to be so crucial for the Penguins. So they were really missing him with what he does, with what he brings to the team on an every night basis. But going back to what I was saying,

that's just how the Penguins run their PK. And it hasn't worked a lot of times this year. I think they're a bit too conservative in front of the net and they kind of just let whoever they want to stand in front of the goal, you just drink a beer, bake a cake, what we can call it. And for a while there was Anders Lee. And it's like, wow, I mean, if you're not going to do anything about him just standing there,

I mean, then what are we doing? Obviously, Lee is not going to be playing in this series, and that's a huge loss. But still, whoever the Islander has put there, I'm not sure who it is now on the top player play. In front of the net, if you want to tell me who it is. But it's still a problem for the Penguins. And it could potentially cost them some games in the series if the PKK is not at least average. Yeah, you know, we talked about strength versus strength, the Penguins Power Play and the Islanders PK.

It's sort of weakness against weakness with the Islanders power play and the Penguins PK. Islanders 21st in the league with the man advantage. The two guys who have sort of been trying to take over that Anders Lee role with mixed results, it's been Brock Nelson, who isn't quite as thick and physical as Anders Lee, although he does have the size as far as height goes. and then the other guy who's actually done it sometimes is Matt Martin, who certainly has the physicality, but the hands aren't quite up to snuff. So that's been a little bit of a difficulty. And as far as the Islander's power play is concerned, when that power play is off, it's a big

problem. And the one problem that they have when the power play is not clicking, they don't move the puck with cross-ice passes, and they don't move without the puck. So they end up staying on the perimeter and moving it around and almost sort of killing the penalty themselves because they're not taking enough shots. They pass up too many shots on the power play and don't create the opportunities they need to create. So if the Islanders power play, and I said this on my podcast earlier this week, if they, you know, if there are 16 teams in the playoffs, if the Islanders could be somewhere between sixth and ninth, let's say, in the league on the power play, that'll be good enough, but they've got to get there. This year during the regular season, they weren't

even that good. Yeah, you know, and I think that was actually a big problem for the penguins or earlier in the season when it comes to talk about your power play. They would get the puck in the zone at a very high degree. And their zone entries were great. But then they would just make, you know, five, ten passes before creating a scoring chance. And it's like, what are we doing here? You have all this top high-end talent on your power play with Crosby, Malk and Latang and Gensel. and whoever else you want to put out there. And it's just they were passing up all these opportunities. So, you know, I'm kind of happy that it's not,

it wasn't just the Penguins of having this problem this season. As it sounds like the Islanders were passing up quite a bit of really good scoring opportunities. But yeah, I mean, for the Penguins, P-K, they're just, they're not getting into the lanes as well. They're not blocking as many shots. And a lot of times they're also just out of position, which is really annoying.

They're leaving the net front vacant. They're just, like I said, they're just letting someone stand in Tristanjari. with no repercussions, not even getting him out of the way. I mean, obviously you don't want to cross-check him and take a penalty, but, I mean, at least boxing him out, getting him out of the way so that Jari can see the pop. That's been another big weakness for the Penguins P-K this year.

Are there any other matchups that you are looking at for this series before we get into the final segment where we make our predictions? I think we've pretty much covered it. I think it's going to be a great series. And I think that, you know, this one is going to go either six or seven games, I think. Yeah, I have. I absolutely agree. I think I'm leaning six teams right now, but I'm going to fully touch on that, and I'm sure you as well, coming up in the next segment of this crossover.

All right. So before we get back to our last segment of the two-part crossover with Locked-on Islanders, it's time to talk about. Bet Online the fast is an easiest way to bet on all your sports action. Baseball season is in full swing, and you can track all the action at Bet Online before the next pitch. Head over to Bed Online on your laptop or phone and check out all the great sporting news, soundup bonuses, and content information. Don't send on the sidelines anymore, as this is your chance to get into the game as team is prepared for their runs to the playoffs. Head to the website or use your mobile device to send up today and receive a 50% off welcome bonus on your first deposit. That has been online your online sportsbook experts with a promo code locked on.

And we also cannot forget about Bill Park. Did you know that Billapar has nine delicious flavors? When you talk to a Billbar fan, they're definitely passionate about their favorites. If you don't know the flavors, well, you're definitely missing out coconut, coconut, almond, cherry, raspberry, mint brownie. So there's definitely something for everyone. My favorite flavor is still the peanut butter brownie. If you haven't tried all the flavors, you can get a mixed box where you'll get two of each of the nine flavors. Most of the flavors have 17 grams of protein, only 130 calories, only 4 grams of sugar and only 4 grams of net carbs.

A couple of them, though, have 18 grams of protein, just 180 calories, just 5 grams of sugar and 5 grams of nept carbs. You can go to bellbar.com and use promo code Locked15, and you'll get 15% off your first order. That's promo code Locked 15 for 15% off at Billbar.com. All right, so we're back here for our final segment where both of us are going to make predictions. Gail, I'll start with you. Do you see history kind of repeating itself from 2019? Probably won't be a sweep. If they sweep the Penguins again, I might just become the Joker from the Dark Night.

That's the way I'm saying it. But I agree with you. I do think this is going to be a very tight. series, but where are you at right now with your prediction? You know, I think this series goes seven games, and I think the Islanders will find a way to win it. And I think the advantage the Islanders have is this. They have been playing playoff style hockey all season. That is the style of play that Barry Trots likes to use. So it's not as big of an adjustment for the Islanders to move from regular season to

playoffs. And then the other area I got to give the Islanders an edge is in goal. And as you said at the top of part one, you know, goaltending is the most critical part of playoff hockey. I think Varlamov is a better overall goalie and he's more experienced in the Stanley Cup playoffs than Jari is. It's going to be a tight series. I think Pittsburgh has a deeper team and a more talented team, but the Islanders will find a way to outwork them and get just enough scoring to go with some very, very outstanding goaltending. I think the Islanders find a way to win it in seven. Okay. Yeah. That's a good prediction. Yeah, I definitely think it's going six, seven games. That's not a question. I've seen some people say this is going to be four or five game series.

Don't want to know what you're talking about if you think this is going to be a five game series. in my opinion, I have the penguins getting some vengeance on them. Right now, I think I'm leaning Pittsburgh in six to fully close out the Nassau Coliseum, which has been a house of horrors for the penguins over the years. Do not get me started. I will just get really, I wasn't even alive at that point. I remember it well, so, yeah. If you not want to hear about it, that team was just so stacked,

and it just, it was a crime that they honestly did not win that year. But overall, it has been, like I said, that House of Horrors, they just have always struggled in the Coliseum. The way, I don't really, you know, might go up against some Islanders fans. I'm not the biggest fan of the Coliseum. I've said that on my podcast a few times. I'm definitely ready for the Islanders to get their new arena. It looks gorgeous from what I've seen. It's a nice view in Belmont.

But going back to where I was saying, I think the Penguins win this series in six games to close out the Coliseum. I think Pittsburgh will find a way to not just win the series, but do it in a way that they didn't do it in 2019. That's by playing some stifling defense and really limiting the Islander's chances. I think you're going to see a completely different, obviously you're going to see a different defensive corpse, but with how they break the puck out and with how they defend in their one-two neutral zone trap,

I think it's going to frustrate the Islanders quite a bit. And I do think you will see Tristan Jari continue his success. against the Islanders in the series, though. Would I be surprised if this win-seven game series? No, I honestly think it's 50-50, whether it ends in six to seven. I would not be surprised if it goes seven. But if it does go seven, I still think Pittsburgh would have the edge, specifically because it's at home where they're 22 and 4-and-2.

Again, best record in the franchise's history. But I think this year is different. They have the depth, they have the defense of depth, and just in goal, I think Jari is ready. for this prime moment. So I'm obviously going to go opposite of Gill, but overall, I think this is going to be an outstanding series, and I can't wait to see Part 5 of Mike Sullivan versus Very Trots.

Yeah, it should be a great series. I'm looking forward to it. And no matter who wins, I think we're going to see some very entertaining hockey. Yes, you know, the winner that comes out of this series is going to have a big hill to climb, especially if it's Boston in the next round, which I do think Boston will win that series against Washington. I think I got Boston in seven games right now. That's also going to be a great series, I think.

But yeah, I would give an edge to Boston as well. Yeah, you literally are running the gauntlet for these two series. It is whoever comes out in the East is going to be basically gassed, I think, is the word to use. But this has been a lot of fun. I can't wait to see how this series goes. Hopefully, Gil, we'll get a start time really soon to find out. One is, again, you know, a couple of things I've been here. hearing. Sunday at 3 p.m. It's not set in stone yet, but that's what I've heard from a

couple of people that are a little bit in the know. But Gil, thank you so much for doing this. For the Penguins fans that listen to the Locked on Penguins podcast, where can everyone find you on Twitter? On Twitter, it's either at Locked-on Isles or you could follow me at Ice Wars, NYR vS NYI yes that is a mouthful everyone but he does produce very good content especially he is the king

of the locked on nows which I need to do a lot more of so definitely check those out check out his content throughout the series again we both can't wait for this one and really hope you enjoyed this crossover and we'll talk to you all next week when hopefully there's at least one game played

for the series