Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Can the Pittsburgh Penguins snap out of this funk against the Kraken?

Episode Date: November 5, 2022

Happy Friday! Hunter starts off the episode by previewing Saturday's massive matchup against the Seattle Kraken as the Penguins look to get their first win in over a week. He looks at Seattle's lines and who to be on the lookout for before giving some keys for the Penguins to come away with the win. He then looks at some awesome stats heading into this game and how Sidney Crosby has the chance to make more NHL history with his 900th assist. After that, Hunter shifts his attention to the Penguins lineup and what some potential changes could be. Is Brian Dumoulin going to come off the top pairing? Is Teddy Blueger set to make his return? If so, could that one really help the PK as much as some think it could? Hunter also looks at why Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell should be swapped again since Crosby has been better with Rakell this season, and ditto for Rust with Malkin. Finally, Hunter ends the show with an ode to Jaromir Jagr and his response to Jason Zucker's salute and then he gives his thoughts on the very troubling news surrounding the Boston Bruins on Friday with the signing of Mitchell Miller and why it's another bad look for hockey. All that, plus much more on this episode of Locked On Penguins.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.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!SimpliSafeWith Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnNHL to learn more. 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.

Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode. Happy Friday, November 4th. Anglings do not play again today. So it was another good day, I think, for you all. But they do play on Saturday. They'll play the Seattle Cracken at PBJ Payne's Arena or return home. As they try to snap the six game. Sid, skid, excuse me, we're going to preview that game,

go into some keys for the Penguins to win. Look at the Seattle lines. We're also going to touch on the Penguins lines. If there's going to be any changes to the lineup, specifically the defense, there also, I think, could be a couple of at least one forward returning from injury. We'll get to that. And we'll also touch on a couple of other things regarding the team right now. So that's all coming up right after this drop.

Your 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'm your host, Hunter Hodes. We're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. scornless of all the shows, Twitter, at EleanorScoop Penguins.

Today's episode is brought to you by Ben Online. Ben Online is you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. That has been online where the game starts. So, let's jump right into it. Penguins Cracken Saturday night to 7 p.m. start at PBG Paints Arena. I can't say enough how big this game is for the Penguins. You know, usually, I don't think I, I mean, I don't have heard last time I've ever even said that about a game in November. team starts slow to begin with, and I know they were five and six and four last year,

though they did not have Sydney Cross. We didn't have getting mugged for most of those games. But when you're on a six games kid like this and you're towards the bottom of the standings right now after being at the top of start the season, you got to start banking points. And, you know, it's time to, I know the Cracken have only been a franchise for two years now. Basically, this is their second season. But, you know, you got to start banking points. And this is a big one for the Penguins.

They'll welcome the Cracken in. after losing to them three to one just last weekend. Funny enough, that was a 1-0 game for a bit. The Cracken were able to tie it, and then they were able to take the 2-1 lead late in the second period, thanks to an awful pass from the Spirit captain. He literally put the puck in the no-man's land. And then they were able to get the empty netter in the late stage of the third period.

The Penguins had a push, but they were not able to solve Martin Jones. For some reason, he decides to play like God every time he plays the Penguins. So getting into the Crackens lineup right now. So Andre Brokowski, Alexander Wenberg, and all for Burekstrand. We all know Burakowski with his time in Colorado and Washington. He's been a little bit of a penguin killer over the years. Bjork Strand, usually good for 20 to 25 goals as well.

Jaden Schwartz, super underrated player from St. Louis. Matthew Benares, not a bad second line center. And the player who needs no introduction, Jordan Everley, as I said last weekend, and it came through, if you don't bet, and if you are a betting person, and you don't bet in any time goal score proud for Jordan Everly, seek help. Seriously, seek help. That is probably the freest money you will ever win.

I said that last weekend. I will say it again now. He scores every single time he plays the Penguins. That is how it is. He did it when he was with Emerson. He did it when he was with the Islanders, and now he's doing it when he's with a Cracken. So I have 1,000% expecting to score in that game on Saturday.

Yanni Gore with Brandon Tanniv on the third line. Shane Wright, it looks like, has finally gotten back in his lineup. I don't really know why he's been a healthy scratch for most this year. The guy was a top five pick in the draft. A lot of people thought he was going to go number one, but the Canadians had other ideas, which islovsky. And then he fell down a little bit further. But, you know, I think Seattle just has to see what they have in him at this point.

And then Daniels Brung, Morgan Geeky, Ryan Donato as their fourth line. Vince Dunn, Adam Larson on the top pairing, Jimmy Alexiak, Justin Schultz on the second pairing, Carson, Soece, William Borgon as the third defensive pairing. And then again, Martin Jones and Joey Decord for their goaltenders, I would probably expect Martin Jones to start in that game again. So that's a look at Seattle's lineup. The Penguins, when they played them the last time, very low event game, I would say. It also, it kind of didn't help with the Penguins. They played the night before that.

That's just, that's tough. You play against Vancouver. You don't really look that good. And then you travel the next day, basically. Well, probably in the middle of the night. You get there. Then you play a very low event first period. Second period is kind of the same.

And then the third period, you make a little bit of a push, but they just didn't, they just don't have enough. And then that leads to a 3-1 loss. And, you know, I thought for the most part, because that was the game Casey DeSmith played. I thought DeSmith played good in that game. he gave them a chance to win that game. But when you only score one goal,

especially against Martin Jones, who's usually one of the worst goaltenders in the league, excuse me, that's just, that's not going to do anything for you. So on the Penguins, obviously we need to score more than one goal if they want to win this game.

A couple other game notes here. I love getting the game notes from the Penguins PR team just because they have a lot of really good stuff in here. Penguins, least this game is at home so far this season. They're three and oh and one at home. They're also 10 and 3 and 1 in their last 14 home games against Western Conference opponents. I still can't believe this stat. What I look at it, Josh Archibald has goals in back-to-back games for only the third time in his career. A goal, and this one would establish a new career

long goal scoring streak. So he's never gone three games in a row with scoring a goal. Now that I said that he may and again it's i don't think it's a bad thing to say that he's probably been one of their better bottom sixers this season and you know usually that's not good just because you know if he's one of your best bottom sixers you usually don't have a lot down there but i think that also just goes to show how badly the bottom six has struggled with the penguins and you know archibald credit to him three goals through the first 11 games that's a 20 basically a 22 goal per 82 game pace. Usually he's at about a 12 goal for 82 game pace, 13 goal for 82 pace. Or at least that's what he was just a few years ago. Last season, he really

get to play much with injuries and, you know, the whole COVID-19 stuff, which I'm not going to get into for this episode. But, you know, when he's healthy, you know, he's usually decently good, excuse me, for double-digit goals. Sydney Crosby is still on 900 watch. He sits one assist away from becoming only the 20th player and NHL. history to record 900 career assists. This game will also mark his 1,120th career game. And if he does get it here, he would be the sixth fastest player in NHL history to record 900 assists.

And the only other players to record 900 assists faster than him, here you go, Scott. Wayne Gretzky, 584 games. The error that he played in was crazy, but it's also nuts to see just how good Wayne Gretzky was. Mary Lemieux, 771, Paul Coffey, 991, that's awesome. Adam Oates, 156, and Ron Francis, 1,108. I think if Sid had not missed a lot of time due to the concussions and due to other injuries, he probably would have been the fourth fastest.

I mean, I think he definitely would have beaten Ron Francis' record, would have passed Adam Oates, who was at 156. You know, he would only be behind two former penguins in Lemieux and coffee. and of course, Wayne Gretzky. So that's awesome. Hopefully he does get his 900th point in that game. Another cool stat for you all. So, you know, I was looking at this to make sure.

Yeah, the Penguins, they're well represented in the NHL's top 20 of all-timeless. Obviously, with Ron Francis with all-time assists. He's second. Yomri-Yager's fifth. Paul Coffey's 6. Lemieux is 12th. Mark Recky's 15th. Larry Murphy is 17th.

Brian Trachet is 19th and Cindy Crosby is 20th. if Sid will easily pass Mark Recky, I think. By the time his crew is over, heck, you know, he's easily going to get over a thousand assessed by the time of his career. Mary Lemuel only ended his career with 1,033. Sid's at 899 right now. I mean, what, he needs 130 more assists. He should easily be able to break that record by the end of his career.

So those are some cool stats for this game. Overall, though, the Penguins, for the keys to win this game for me, fast start. Obviously, you know, you want to get that first goal. You really want to jump on the cracking quick. Goaltending, goaltending, goaltending, I know I harp on this so much, but lately the goaltending hasn't been good enough that the Penguins are able to get at least one more save in either of those two games against Buffalo or Boston. The team is six and four and one right now.

and how many people are pissed off? Like is everyone saying, oh, they should tank or, oh, they're not going to make the playoffs? No, everyone's like, oh, yeah, cup parades back on and all that other stuff. They were in great position to win both those games. They didn't get the save. Casey Dispint was really bad on a couple of goals. Tristan Jolly was not that good. I would expect Tristan to start in this game against Seattle.

He's going to need to be a lot better to save the least. Also, of course, the penalty kill. The P. P.K. has to stop basically spotting the opposition, a goal. every game. That is what it is doing right now. It's one of the worst units in hockey. They play that stupid diamond right now that is just very annoying to watch it set up. I understand that they're trying to protect the house, but it's way too passive. And again, they are spotting the opposition a goal on a nightly basis.

If they are able to get that in check, I really think that could be the big key to getting this team back on track because obviously the goaltitting will hopefully not be as leaky. with that and then in turn also the players will be able to get in the front of the shooting lanes, block some shots, and also help their goalie out by getting some clears. I think that's been a big issue so far on the penalty kill this year, as that the Penguins, they just have not been getting the clears. You know, it's not just, oh, the goal tending is not in the 99th percentile for goals saved above expected or save percentage for the penalty kill, like Tristan Jari and Casey to Smith

last year, especially Tristan Jari. It's part of that because it's not bad because he's not that good on the BK. far, but it's also personnel-wise. And it's also the fact that, again, they're just not being aggressive enough and they're not getting clears when they need to. So that is also a big key for me. And, you know, just playing loose. You know, obviously the team is upset.

They should be coming out firing in this game, especially if it's a home game. You really want to show the fans something in this game. You have to get back on the winning track. Those are my main keys to winning this game. You got to keep, you know, I think the core obviously has to be good. And hopefully the depth. I want to see the depth players really come through in this one. You know, you can't, as Rob Rossi told me on my Thursday episode, you can't leave it up all to the top sets.

You're going to have to get depth scoring from your bottom two lines. I know Josh Archvold has three goals this year. Other than that, a lot of those players have really not been seen. And it's a big problem right now. So we'll have to see what happens with that. those are my main keys for the Penguins to win that game and a nice little preview for Seattle and looking at them. Coming up in the second segment, we're going to get into the Penguins' lines for that game. Look to see if there's any lineup changes, and I'll just give my thoughts

overall on what Mike Sullivan, it looks like he's going to do. Now, before I get to that, Benlein is your number one source for betting football and the start of the new basketball season. You can find all the way of play of development, team matchups, news, podcasts, and end-dead analysis on every game. And as always, Ben-O-Line remains your continued source for all the sports information with live betting and up to the minute scores for every sport out there. It's the fastest, easiest way to check in on all your favorite games and events, including MLB, MMA, boxing, golf. You can head to your website today or use your phones more and more.

That has been online where the game starts. Welcome back to this episode, excuse me, of the Lockdown Penguins podcast, the Fridays are getting to me now. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. Well, follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at LORSore Penguins. It's just twice in two seconds that I just totally almost lost my train of thought. Anyways, let us get into the Penguins lines for this game.

A couple changes for you ins. I'm going to look at the workflow for you all right now. So Carter Gensel and Archibald were not at practice today. Got some updates for you all on that. Jake Gensel was sick, so they left him home. Right now, I would say he's a game time decision. It looks like it's just a total little stomach bug going through the locker room. Chris Tang, I think, had to miss a game.

Judah, he was right back out there. Hopefully, this is nothing serious. Hopefully he'll be able to go out there. Josh Archibald, he had a maintenance day. Would assume he's good to go for tomorrow. And Jeff Carter is still day-to-day. Teddy Wooder took full contact, centered regular line, also took PK one minutes.

He's eligible to come off injured reserve on Saturday. It looks like he is going to make his return. I'm going to go into that in just a second. But so for now, Hyman, Krosby, Rust, Zulker Malk and Raquel. Again, I wish they would put Raquel back up there and Russ down on the second line. I think Russ so far this season has worked better with Malkin compared to Crosby. And they always have great numbers together, Malkin and Rust.

That is, you know, 55% of the shot attempts, of course, he, excuse me, almost 60% of the scoring chances, same with high danger chances. They work very well together. I understand that, you know, that Sullivan wants to spark up that top line just because Gensel-Crosby, Rust, has been really good in the past. and I know Hainim is at practice for this one in Gensel's stead. But I still think with what I've seen this season, I prefer to have Raquel up there, especially because he's been, I think the most consistent forward outside of Gensel.

I mean, I think he's also a natural fit for Crosby. That's just one man's opinion, though. I just, I think if they were to flip-flop them, that would be better. Third line, McGinn-Bluger Capinen. So, again, it does look like Brock McGinn, is, I mean, excuse me, Teddy Blugher is going to return in this game. And, you know, this should be big. You know, I know some people are down in him.

I mean, I was told over the offseason that they included him in the original offer to go get Jeff Petrie. It was going to be Marcus Pedersen and Blugher, but Montreal declined about it wanted Mike Matheson. And, you know, so far, the Penguins haven't collected their investment with Petrie. But, you know, as Rob Ross was telling him on Thursday, he wants to see more time when it comes to him. And, you know, I want to see more from him, too, obviously.

but you know, Bluger, hopefully he can be a player that can really spark that bottom six. And I know I've had a lot of people that's been telling me this lately. Well, Hunter, I know the P.K. stinks, but, you know, Teddy Blugger's going to be on there soon, so maybe it's going to magically improve. I have my doubts just because I think it's more just the execution wise. Sir, it's a little bit personnel. I don't think Ryan Paling belongs in the penalty kill. You know, Brock McGinn doesn't really know what he's doing on there either.

But, you know, Blugher's usually one of their best, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, and I'll see if he can really change up that unit. You know, Zach Astor Mase before he got traded. He was one of their best penalty killers. You could definitely see that, you know, it went down a little bit after his absence.

And I know he didn't score a lot, but defensively and on the PK, he was really good. And I would say the same for Blugher. Defensively, he's a really good bottom six center, still brings that scoring touch. But I am curious to see how much that P.C. improves, if at all with him on the ice. If he's, you know, the bread to that unit's butter, we'll see if that made sense, right?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I don't think, you know, whatever, whatever. You all know what I'm saying with that. But, you know, if he's that kind of thing right there and the unit improves, then I'll be like, okay, you know, those struggles were because blue grew us out.

but if it's not, you know, I'm kind of going to be saying the same things at this point. But it is going to be nice to see him back. He missed 11 games. Looks like he's going to be sent under the third line with McGinn and Cappan. And then Ryan Paling with Sam Poulan and Drew O'Connor. I would assume if Gensl and Archibald are able to play. I'm guessing probably Poulan and O'Connor come out. You probably will get Archibald down there on that.

I have to guess here. If I had to guess, if both Genzo and Archibald are able to play, they would probably go Gensel-Krosby Rust, Zuckermalk and Raquel, probably Heinen, I think they actually would go cap. Yeah, I think they actually, I think they actually would go Heinen, Blugher, then Kaplanin, and then they would probably have McGinn with Palin-Archibald on that four-fline. That is my guess, though, if the both are able to play.

So I think you would see Pungain and O'Connor come out and Gensel Archwell in. If they're able to play. Defensively, Patterson and Petrae is still together. Joseph Ruda and Rubito were rotating. And I am sorry to say, Yins, yes, Ryan Dumlin is on the top period. I do not understand what Mike Sullivan is seeing in him at this point. It is a very baffling decision. I know that people are really upset that the team has not making any changes.

I get it. I hear your frustrations. It's definitely a choice. Mike Sullivan's making his bed with that one. He's lying in it right now. It's obvious that they have a lot of respect for him. I think they want to try to see if he can turn it around. But then 11 game sample size so far,

and he's looked pretty freaking washed to me. So I don't know, man. If we're up to me, I'd move one of Pedersen or POJ up there with Letang, see what you got with them with your franchise defenseman, give Dumolin some easier matchups with Jan Ruta. put him out there against third and fourth liners from the other teams. I think he would, I don't know if he'd fully eat them up,

but they would be easier matchups rather than going up against the opposition's top line every night. I mean, among defensemen, he's like top five and, you know, goals allowed when he's on the ice. I don't really look at plus minus and stuff. I think that's probably one of the most useless stats in the league. But the fact that he has been on there for a lot of goals against with his minus, you know, that also matches up with the eye test. Again, I will say this one more time. I do not like plus minus.

I think it is a useless statutes because, oh, you know, players are on the ice for goals against all the time. I don't think that tells you anything. Now, if you're plus minus, it's really bad. Like, I think that could tell you something like, okay, like you're a detriment to the team. Like Jack Johnson was a couple years ago, you know, like Brian Dumont is right now with how many goals he's been on the ice against.

But, you know, if people's main arguments for a player being bad or a player being good, is there plus minus. you know, it's just weird. I look at so many other numbers when it comes to that. But still, I'm frustrated by it. I know the penguins aren't making enough changes right now. I think if they continue losing it, Mike Sullivan's going to have no choice at this well, you know, it's obvious that I think he sees this team.

They're going to break out of it soon. So, no, it's a gamble, but we're going to have to see if that pays off for him, to say the least. So that wraps up this second segment by going into the lines. So a little more to get to for this final segment of the show. But before we get to that, if you've thought about securing your home with home security but have been putting it off, you'll want to listen up. Right now, locked on penguin's listeners can order the number one rated Simply Safe home security system for 50% off. This is their biggest offer of the year and you won't want to miss it.

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Scrones with all the shows, Twitter at Elwhorse with Penguins. And, of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen of the day. Going around the league a little bit, awesome to see Yarmier Yager's response to Jason Zucker again. I mean, I loved that salute, you know, our nice Jewish boy, Jason Zucker. I can't wait for the day that Yarmie Yer Jers jersey is retired up in the rafters. I'm hopefully going to be there for that game, to say the least. I don't usually get into this kind of stuff on the podcast, but it's around the league and it's making a lot of headlines.

If you won't follow the league as much as I do, I'm sure you saw the Mitchell Miller stuff today when it comes to the Boston Bruins. Donney Press Conference was honestly just embarrassing. I'm usually someone that is all for second chances. I mean, Lord knows I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. But the fact that this guy has not even come out with an actual apology for the kid that he racially bullied all those years,

is very disturbing to me. In my opinion, to play in the NHL, it's a privilege. It's not a right. And I think, you know, this just goes to show that the NHL, they're still so backwards when it comes to this stuff. You know, people are, I'm sure people are going to come to me and say, well, you know, the guy was 14, blah, blah, blah, blah. But, you know, when I was 14, I didn't racially bully someone.

I had the common sense to not be a total idiot to people like that in real life. he didn't just do it like for a week or something he did it for multiple years and it was enough that the Arizona coyotes literally denounced him and they released him right after they drafted him so um it also looks bad when all of the Boston ruins players well at least after what Don Sweeney said today he was like yeah some of the our core players were like why did you do this it's like yeah that's not the greatest answer you can give there Don and he was like yeah I'm also not so sure if I would do this if it was my kid that he racially bullied or this could be the wrong move it's just like dude like you're saying all the wrong things there man like all the wrong things like you either make this

move and you're confident about it or you don't make this move and you're not kind of bad you can't just make this move and not be confident about it it's just a really weird situation again I just think it's a bad look for the league um it's obviously at least to me that the guy is not sorry for what he did he hasn't even there's apologize to the kid you know the the victim parents mom even said like he tried to message him on Instagram, but that was it. It's just like, that's nothing, man. Like, that doesn't change the thing. So, you know, that's my little tangent on that. It's one of the biggest stories surrounding the NHL and I want to take the time to talk about it on today's episode. You know, if you disagree, you know, that's your opinion, at least. But, you know,

this is back to the Penguins a little bit. This is their last game on Saturday. That's their last game for a few more days, they will go to Washington on Wednesday, and then they have a lot more road games after that before they come on and play Toronto. Again, I will be at that Toronto game on November 15th. That is also my 25th birthday, funny enough. So if you're going to the game, let me know. You can DM me on social media. You can comment on YouTube and all that stuff. But that will basically do it for this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Wanted to, you know, just touch on a couple of things league-wide and, you know, just finish off with a little look at the road ahead and all that stuff.

So again, thank you all so much for listening. I really, really appreciate it. And I'll be back with another episode for you all on Monday to recap that game against Seattle. Hopefully, we'll be talking about a Penguins win and not a seventh straight loss. So again, hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Let's go, Pence, and we'll see what they can do on Saturday.

Have a good Friday, everybody.