Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Despite the OT struggles, the team is starting to turn it around...

Starting point is 00:00:00 Happy Monday morning Penguins fans. They get the win on Friday against the Ottawa Senators. They split the home and home, but they're not able to get the result that they badly deserved, I would say. On Sunday, a two-to-one loss to the New Jersey Devils. For today's episode, we're going to go over a bit of both games. Mostly it'll be the New Jersey one, but we'll also go over what they did right with the Senators won,

Starting point is 00:00:22 all that plus so much more also a small preview for the game on Tuesday, which I will be at. I have the tickets for that one coming up on this edition of the Lockham. 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.

Starting point is 00:00:57 Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host. Hunter Hodes, want to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, all the shows, Twitter, at L.O. Arnold's where penguins. And, of course, thank you all for making this your first listen of the day. Today's episode is brought to you by a new sponsor for our network. fan dual sportsbook, the official sportsbook of Lockdown.

Starting point is 00:01:18 Make every moment more. Visit fandul.com slash locked on today to get started. So a little bit of news for that. But let's just jump right into it. So a two to one loss for the Penguins on Sunday afternoon in a matinee game against New Jersey Devils. And honestly, they played well enough to win. I saw some people saying that they got the result they deserved yesterday.

Starting point is 00:01:42 100% disagree with that take. Sure, they've had struggles in overtime. And I'm going to get to that in just a second. I'm taking a lead off this segment here. But this team played very, very well. That was probably the most consistent 60-minute effort that I have seen this team play since that game against the Dallas Stars in December.

Starting point is 00:02:01 There was that 2-1 win when McGee-Malkins scored in the final minute of regulation. That is how good the Penguins played tonight. It's just they couldn't buy a goal. It was a pure puck-luck loss. sure Vitech Vanechuk did play well, but in the second period, Ryan Hilling has a wide open net,

Starting point is 00:02:17 somehow hits the crossbar. That's the way it's going right now for the Penguins' bottom six. There were plenty of other, very strong scoring chances for so many other players on this team. Crosby had a couple, Gensel, Rost, Raquel, Malkin,

Starting point is 00:02:31 even other players in the bottom six, the puck was just not going into the net. Sometimes that happens. And then, yeah, something stupid happens. And overtime, they lose, they don't get the result they wanted. But, you know, natural statutes. here at five-on-five, the Penguins had 53% of the shot attempts.

Starting point is 00:02:45 They had 61% of the scoring chances, 16-6-6 edge and high-danger chances, and they also had 58% of the expected goals. This team generated three expected goals yesterday. In turn for the Devils, they generated two expected goals. And the Penguins lost two to one. So that just goes to show, excuse me, that this was, again, a pure puck-luck loss. I thought the Penguins played very well in this game. If they do this, and most of the remaining games,

Starting point is 00:03:12 they're going to win a lot of those games down the stretch here. But let's go into the elephant in the road. I'm sure you all are wondering, Hunter, what's going on in overtime? But why are they so bad? I'll try my best to explain that. I honestly do think it is twofold. I think the penguins, they try to do just too much and they don't try to simplify things.

Starting point is 00:03:33 I thought Jason of Penguins Twitter said it best, where it's kind of like the power play where, you know, at times their three-on-three overtime looks pretty decent, like it did against the ducks, even though they honestly probably could have lost that game, because Trevor Zegrois was a fool. But you go back the other way on that two-on-one, they kept it simple, got passed again. So he finishes it.

Starting point is 00:03:52 But in this one, you know, they're trying to do too much. They also just do not have the puck a lot, which is a very big problem. Faceoffs, I'll get to that in just a second. But I really do think the main thing is this team tries to do too much. And they go zero to 100, so quick, because they think the time is like going to expire. but when you have five full minutes to win the game, slow it down. You know, remember when Phil Kessel was on this team. He basically almost invented, you know, just going in the offensive zone,

Starting point is 00:04:24 not liking what he's seeing, pulling back, backing up a little bit, you know, just surveying the situation. And then once he sees something that he liked, he went in and Penguins were able to win games that way. Right now, they are not doing that. They're just going zero to 100 so freaking quick, because they feel like they have to score right away when, no, you have five full minutes. Just take a chill pill.

Starting point is 00:04:45 Everything is okay, you know, just with the game. You don't have to just go so fast in those situations. That is one of part of their overtime struggles. A second part. The deployment, I think. Mike Sullivan at times has not been the best at his deployment in overtime. Some people are mad, but he started Cindy Crosbyton overtime yesterday. you can miss me with that.

Starting point is 00:05:11 I understand that he missed a face off with Michael McLeod. But, you know, that happens sometimes people. Like, who do you else do? I mean, you can maybe want to get any Malkin out there, but we also saw what happened the last time Juno started in overtime. And the Penguins gave up a goal in 40 seconds because Malkin chased Jacob's Lavin behind the net. Very foolish play.

Starting point is 00:05:30 So, you know, I just really don't want to hear, you know, that kind of talk either. But with deployment, you know, where is Ricard Raquel? in these overtime sessions. He's one of their best players in overtime usually, especially last year. It's not that this year. He puts Jeff Carter out there in useless situations.

Starting point is 00:05:48 I don't know why. He puts Brian Dumlin out there. I don't know why. So I think those are two of the main factors for why this team has stunk in overtime. And I also just think their brains just totally turn off. You know, yesterday, people were saying, oh, why they call that penalty and all that?

Starting point is 00:06:07 People, go back and watch the replay. Seriously. That was the most textbook too many men, Paul, that you could obviously see. Imagine that went, imagine they didn't call that and the penguins one that came. Imagine the outcry that would be happening. Oh, the penguins get all the calls. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I mean, imagine if that that happened with the devils and they scored on that and they didn't call it, how they don't even call it. Imagine how the outcry would be for that. I know some people were upset. How upset would you be if that was. happen there. You know, it was just a very brain dead play by a Marcus Pedersen. Jeff Petrie was not even close to the red light, let alone getting back to the bench. He just jumped on too early. He decided to cheat. He thought it would work out. They scored. It got washed out right away. You know, sometimes officials miss that, but most of the times, I would say maybe 80% of the time, they're not going to miss a call that is easy as that one. Right, Paul, Penguins, they played with fire. They screwed up.

Starting point is 00:07:09 you know, they, and then they lost. But again, that's just another play where this team is just so clueless in overtime. And it's really weird to see them struggle like this in the extra sessions, two and eight in overtime this year. I'm sorry. I don't care who is out of your lineup versus who is in your lineup. That is unacceptable. You have had Sidney Crosby and I'm getting Malcon healthy for basically this entire season.

Starting point is 00:07:35 Ricardo Kell is been out there. Jake Genssel, Brian Rust. I know Latang has been out for the. the last few weeks, but even before that, they were still struggling really badly in overtime. I know Jeff Petrie has also been out for a little bit as well. But again, that said, there is just, there are no excuses to be two and eight when you have all that talent at your disposal in overtime. Right now, standings wise, there are three points behind the Rangers, right?

Starting point is 00:08:00 If the Penguins were five and five in overtime this season, they would be tied for third place in the Metropolitan Division. They would have the tiebreaker over the Rangers. If they were six and four, they would be all alone in third place. How would you all feel the team was 26 and 15 and 5 right now compared to what? 23, 15 and 8, something like that. How would you all feel? Probably a lot better than how you're feeling right now.

Starting point is 00:08:28 I'll say that. So, you know, I understand that three on three goes away once the playoffs start. but you still have to win those games. And I get a lot of them are 50-50s, but some semblance of structure is needed in these extra sessions. Mike Sullivan has said before that they want to stop, maybe trying to overcoach them in three on three or maybe the power play, but maybe you do need to coach them a bit more

Starting point is 00:08:52 because what you're doing lately is not working and has not worked for the entire, the entirety, excuse me, of the season. It is not good enough. You pissed away another extra point yesterday where you should have had it. Just, you know, that's killing them in the standings right now. Circle all those overtime losses if they end up playing the freaking Boston ruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Or if they somehow, or I should say, if they don't even make the playoffs. Just saying, yes, just saying. So that's what I'm

Starting point is 00:09:24 seeing in terms of the other time struggles. And, you know, that's, I really wanted to kick off the show with that. Coming up in the second segment, we're going to get into some other good things that I have noticed over the last couple of days. But before I get to that, especially with Jeff Petrie and Justin Jarrett, but before I get to that, our next partner has a product I use literally every day. I start taking athletic beans because, you know, sometimes didn't have time in the morning if we worked out. I wanted more energy when I'd be waking up.

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Starting point is 00:11:13 So let's jump into some things I've really liked. Honestly, you know, going back over the last week. So Penguins, you know, over the last eight games, they've gotten 10 out of a possible 16 points, and it's no coincidence in that some players are starting to come back. Jeff Petrie came back on Friday. Made a big difference right away. You could really see.

Starting point is 00:11:32 he is better on the power play than Ty Smith. Tristan Jari, you know, he's been fantastic. His last few starts only given up two goals, making all the saves you would want him to make. Azure number one goaltender, he has been awesome for this team. It's actually a crime that they haven't won these last two games because he's only given up two goals in over 120 minutes of action.

Starting point is 00:11:55 That is how good Tristan has been. And if he keeps that up, I think this team's going to win a lot of games down the stretch. But again, it's really no coincidence that a lot of the injured guys coming back makes a difference. Ryan Pailing, even on Sunday. And I'm not the biggest Ryan Paling fan. I will say that. But, you know, when he was on the fourth line yesterday, that line actually was pretty dang good.

Starting point is 00:12:19 You know, they had, I believe it was just making sure what I have here. I think in almost all situations, over 50% expected goals, scoring chances. same thing. So, you know, he was playing pretty decent. I mean, I actually will say when Palin was on the ice yesterday, I think he had a 95% expected goals rate. So he was making a difference. It's just he couldn't put the puck in the back of the net.

Starting point is 00:12:46 And this team is very closely getting Chris Lattang back. Josh Archibald, he's probably going to come back. And, you know, again, I wasn't the biggest fan of the Archibald signing, but I will gladly eat crow on it because he's been pretty good when he's been healthy this season. He scored four goals. I have no problem admitting when I was wrong about something. as you all know.

Starting point is 00:13:02 And I think that addition to the fourth line with Paling and Bluger could pay dividends because the fourth line has been decent when it's been healthy this season. We all know that it's been the third line. That's been the main culprit. But the bottom six overall, you know, still needs more. But, you know, the Penguins have been doing a lot of things right to games. You know, that showed on Friday against the Ottawa Senators, yeah, did they have a little bit of a time in the third period where they gave up a little too many shots and

Starting point is 00:13:31 20 chances? Sure, but I thought for the first 40 minutes and then after that time in the third period, they really shut down the senators and didn't really give them much. Tristan Jari was also fan-franking Tassic. That continued over into the game on Sunday against the Devils where they held New Jersey to not even 25 shots. Outside of that Jack Hughes goal, can you all even think of a good scoring chance that the devil's had for the rest of that game? No. And, you know, the Penguins, when they are healthy, they can beat you with strong defensive games. They can play you, you know, a la like the New York Islanders or something like that when Barry Trots was at least the coach. So, you know, that's always been, you know, on their resume.

Starting point is 00:14:12 It's just when they have had guys about, you know, that's where they're giving a lot more goals against and scoring chances against and all the other stuff. But you saw yesterday, the blueprint for them winning that kind of game. It's just, again, that's the kind of game where if you can, if you just had any ounce of a true bottom six, they walk away with that win. Last seven games, bottom six has scored one or two goals. It's not good enough.

Starting point is 00:14:41 Over the last eight games, only Jeff Carter, funny enough, Jeff Carter has the most goals from the bottom six in the last eight games with three. One of those is an empty-knit. So you take that away. In the last eight games, the penguins are the most player, excuse me,

Starting point is 00:14:57 the player with the most goals in the bottom six is Jeff Carter with two. everyone else has one or zilch it's not good enough and i understand that ron hextall has probably constructed this team to where you know he wants the top two lines to give you all the offense and he wants low event hockey for the bottom two lines but i'm sorry that's not a true recipe for success at the initial level it's just not good enough and you saw that in the gaming inch in jersey yes they had all that zone time yes they had all those chances but who is going to finish those chances in that bottom six.

Starting point is 00:15:28 He's very competent, you know, he's flawed. He's had kind of a bad season, but, you know, he's probably also your best player in the bottom six right now. That's how dire things are. Rock McGinn, his scoring has dried up, as I thought it. Dan Hinden hasn't done anything since October when he scored against the Columbus Blue Jackets. I know Ryan Paling just came back, but even before he got hurt, he also wasn't scoring either.

Starting point is 00:15:49 Maybe Josh Archibald will be the big fix because he had four goals prior to getting hurt. But still, you know, you need a bottom. six if you want to go anywhere and in that game against new jersey you really saw where that hurt the penguins and honestly even that game against the ottawa senators as well they only won that game because the top six produced jason zucker scored on one jake ansell had a couple you know brian russ played very well sidney crosbie of kidney malcon so you know it's it's when when their top six is playing well they are carrying them two victories i'll keep saying it So, but again, you know, that's just, that's just how the team is constructed.

Starting point is 00:16:33 Overall, again, I really like the way they've been playing the last couple of games, even honestly the last week, 10 out of a possible 16 points in their last eight games, this past week when they really needed points. Sex out of eight, they probably should have had seven out of eight. They could have had eight all eight if they knew how to play in overtime. But, you know, that's the way that's go. sometimes. And hopefully you all cannot hear that downstairs. Thron and Teddy are having the time of their lives just playing. Yeah, I don't know what's going on down there. But anyways,

Starting point is 00:17:07 that wraps up. This segment, I will say this just to finish up, though. Penguins keep playing the way they did against New Jersey, a result that they deserve. They're going to win a lot of games. And they're also going to get some more guys back. That's only going to help them as they get, you know, towards really the home stretch of a season here. Big week coming up. against the Fort Panthers. I'm going to preview that game coming up in this final segment. But before we get to that, let's take a time to talk about our new sponsor,

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Starting point is 00:19:00 All right. So let's jump into it. So Penguins Panthers on Tuesday, PPP, Pennsylvania, I will be there. Let me know if you are going. My girlfriend and I will be there. So, you know, if you want to go, you want to say hello to us, you know, just send me a DM, send me a tweet, whatever if you're on social media, you know, I'll definitely have to. I mean, I won't talk about the team as it and such.

Starting point is 00:19:20 But, you know, this is a big game standings-wise. right now the penguins have a lead over the Panthers. The Panthers are three points back. The Penguins also have two games in hand. So if they're able to win this game in regulation, they will be five points up on one of the teams that is currently chasing them for the final wildcard spot. They also are only two points behind the Washington Capitals

Starting point is 00:19:37 for the first wildcard spot, and they also have three games in hand on the Capitals. That's going to be massive because they will play the Capitals. This Thursday, 7 o'clock start time in Washington, D.C., two really big playoff implicated matchups for the Penguins this week before they will play. the San Jose Sharks on Saturday a team that is very bad this year. But in terms of the Panthers, this is a team that has been struggling again.

Starting point is 00:20:00 As of Lay Paul Maurice, it's just not being able to get a lot of those groups. But still, this is a lineup that is very dangerous. Anton Lundell on the top line, Sasha Barkov, Sam Reinhardt. We all know how good Barcove is. I think he's one of the best. Two-way centers in hockey can do it all offensively, can give it right back defensively. He is awesome. Ryan Hart, great goal score.

Starting point is 00:20:20 Very well-deserved it being on that top line. on their second line, Matthew Kachuk, St. Bennett and Carter Verhagi, Varaghi, he had a great season last year. Sam Bennett is really coming into his own since coming over from Calgary. Kachuk, he's all obviously great. He's going to be the main one to look out for. I don't know why he's not on the top line, but, you know, they're believers in spreading the well.

Starting point is 00:20:39 So I think it's probably okay overall. But, you know, Kachuk, you know, just like his brother Brady, probably a little to a more extent, you know, he's going to try to be, you know, just an ass on the ice. my language. I don't, you know, I don't really, no, say all that kind of stuff on my podcast, but, you know, that's probably what he's calling me. He's just going to be difficult to play against, you know, a bully. That's just who he is. And, you know, he's very gifted with the fuck. I think he's one of the top 15 players in our game today. The thing is going to have to be

Starting point is 00:21:12 on very high alert when he is out there. Third line, E2, Elucerine, Ryan, and Nick Cousins, with Dinescenko, Ryan Longberg, Christyerni, Giovanni Smith, defensively, Stoff Foresling with Aaron Ekblad. I think that's one of the more underrated top pairings in the league. Eckblad. He will be available for this one. I don't really think he played in the last matchup. I believe he was hurt, but he is back for this one.

Starting point is 00:21:34 Mark Stahl, Brandon Montour, John Schmarer, Marhurra, and then Radcoe Goodes, around at things defensively. And then, goalies-wise right now, Spencer Knight, and Sergei Barovsky are both out. At least as of this recording, Anthony Duklair, Patrick Horquist, and Mark Stahl, they are still well it says Marksaw is on IR but according to daily face off he's not on IR so I don't really know

Starting point is 00:21:58 but right now it looks like Knight and Babrovsky are out so that means if they are both out for this game as of this recording Alex Lyon will be in line to start this one which you know he's a former I believe he's a former Philadelphia Flyers Goaltender from a few years ago but if what are both of Bobovski or Knight are able to go I would expect one of them to start I would I would start

Starting point is 00:22:18 Spencer Knight if he is able to to go. But if he's not earned Nebraska, he not able to go, it'll probably be Alex line. So the Penguins will have the goaltending matchup in as one because I would expect Tris and Jari to start here. The Panthers, they play a little bit of a different style under Paul Maurice. It's not that running gun show that you saw under, what's his name? Andrew Brunette, excuse me, last year where they were having two four goals in a game. No, Paul Maris does not do that. He is a very defensive-minded coach, I will say, and he will make sure. that the team is playing, you know, a lot of 2-1, 3-2 games, and that kind of stuff, you know.

Starting point is 00:22:55 Missing the playoffs for the Panthers this year, I do not think is an option. They have all that talent. They just made that massive trade for Kuchuk, and they sent out both McKenzie Weaker and Jonathan Huberto. You know, they were expected to take a big step this year, and they have not done that. But Penguins will win this game. You got to shut down Kukuk, and they just got to do what they did in the last matchup, you know, take advantage of having the edge in goaltending. I think that's really big for the Penguins.

Starting point is 00:23:18 and also just making sure you shut down their top two lines because that's where most of their offense comes from. Their bottom six like the penguins, it's not good. So if you can shut down Kachuk and shut down that second line and make sure Sasha Barkov does not hurt you that much, the penguins should be more than capable of coming out of this one with the victory. Again, I will be there at the arena for this one. I'm really looking forward to it.

Starting point is 00:23:39 It's a big game. It's a penguin's can get two points here. There'll be five points up on the Panthers. There's a potential that they could be five points up on the islanders. The games tonight, at least for Monday. It's actually funny. The Panthers, and I will say this. Panthers are playing their Rangers tonight.

Starting point is 00:23:56 They're going to Pittsburgh for this one. The Penguins, they will have the edge here. They're ever going to be facing a very tired panther team. Both Spencer Knight and Sergei Ravrovsky are not able to dress in this one. You know, there's a potential that the Penguins could be seeing the Panthers for string goalie. for this one. And just making sure I have everything on Twitter rights here. So the Panthers, just right now, actually,

Starting point is 00:24:28 funny, I checked Twitter, I see this right away. Perfect timing for the recording. They recalled Spencer Knight, and they have loaned one of their AHA goalgooters, Mac Guzda, back to AHL Charlotte. So it sounds like Alex Lyon is going to start tonight in New York City. Sir Gavrovsky will not be available for the game. And the expectation, if he is okay,

Starting point is 00:24:46 will be that Spencer Knight will start on Tuesday. So that is a big development. So just kind of, you know, if you listen to that before, just get that out of your years. I still think the Penguins have the better matchup in net with Tristan Darnley with how he's been playing. But still, having Spencer Knight for that game will be big for the Panthers. But again, the Penguins will have the edge overall

Starting point is 00:25:08 because the Panthers are playing tonight. You cannot let a team come in there after playing the night before and just feedback. You know, that has to be a win for the Penguins. So keep things simple. You know, play the same defensively the way you did against the Devils on Sunday. Lemoning the Kachuk line, that's huge. Getting the power play back, if we'll have to see if Crystal Tang is to be available. On the team, I think he's expecting to practice on Monday.

Starting point is 00:25:29 So we'll have to see who is practicing versus who is not. And, you know, maybe there's a chance that Josh Archibald plays as well. So again, thank you all so much for listening to this one. I think that does it for here. I'll have a full game recap episode for the game Tuesday. And then we will do Wednesday episode where we will preview the game against the capitals and all that stuff for the rest of the week. So again, really appreciate you all listening.

Starting point is 00:25:52 Thank you all so much. I will talk with you all on Tuesday.

Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Despite the OT struggles, the team is starting to turn it around...

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