Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Discussing the NHL's latest 24 team playoff proposal, plus revisiting Evgeni Malkin's 2009 playoff hat trick

Episode Date: May 21, 2020

We may be getting close to the NHL announcing their plans for a 24 team playoff! Hunter shares his thoughts on the proposal and why it isn't fair to a team like the Penguins or Oilers, who would have to go up against a 12th seed just to get in. He then offers some tweaks that would make it better, plus he touches on this day in Penguins history with Evgeni Malkin's hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in 2009! 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, welcome to this Thursday afternoon edition of Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow the show's Twitter at L-O-U-U-U-U-Square. We are almost two Memorial Day weekend. Pretty crazy how Memorial Day weekend creeped up on me pretty quick. I thought it was always next weekend, but, you know, that just goes to show how stupid I am. As always, the show is brought to you by Bill Pard. We still have that $10 off.

promo for you all for your first order at buildbar.com code locked on. for your first order. Today's going to be an interesting show. So we've gotten a lot of financial news on the last couple of days. Looks like they might be close to nailing down the format, though. I have my thoughts on the situation, which I will be sharing soon. But this came out last night. Elliot Freeman basically said that the NHL is working towards a 2014 playoff format.

The NHL PA is going to be a meeting tonight. I think it's at 7 p.m. meeting tonight, according to Pierre LeBrun, where a representative of each team for a player from each team is going to going to be at the meeting. They're going to just give their thoughts on the format. They could potentially approve it and it could go through or, you know, they could reject it or they could potentially make some tweaks to it, which is what I'm mainly going to be talking about today. There's a lot of things in it that I really don't like. Pierre Lebrun also mentioned that basically a lot of executives and team players have been pushed back on the potential of that idea because

one of the matchups for these play-in series that it'll be, there'll be four playing series as well. The Penguins will be the number five seed. And in this proposal, in this scenario, they will be playing a best-to-five series against the Montreal Canadiens. I wrote about today for fan-sided. I think that's kind of pathetic that the Penguins would have to go up against a team that's 15 points behind them in the standings. A HAB's team, that's 10 points behind the second wildcard team in the standings, a team that does not deserve to get in. And the only reason that they are going to get in is because of money. I mean, you know, money talks, revenue.

You know, they drive a lot of revenue. Same goes for Chicago. Same goes to the Rangers. but you know what? The Rangers actually deserve their shot to get in because they were playing really, really good hockey and they're way less than 10 points outside of the second water card spot. That doesn't matter to me.

What matters to me is the Penguins playing a playing in series against a team that, you know, they just don't deserve it. Like, that's just the biggest thing to me. And read Dom's article from The Athletic. It's a really, really good article about how the 2014 format kind of screws over some teams like the Penguins. The Habs chances to get into the 16-team playoff. go up from 0% regularly, up to 40% to get in.

They have a 40% chance, basically, to upset the penguins, according to Dom's model. Is that a pretty big increase? Yeah, that's a pretty big increase. That's putting it lightly. And a lot of these matchups, honestly, they just, they aren't good. I mean, you know, in the other matchups, you know, Carolina, New York, okay, that's cool for the Brady Shea, Adam Fox storyline. Islanders, Panthers, not really. Maple Leafs Jackets, okay, maybe that's a little bit interesting to see how Toronto their fans handle it.

And then the West, Edmonton, Chicago, again, that's a stupid series. Chicago doesn't deserve it. I feel bad for Connor McDavid that he has a play-in series. They're even closer to second place than the Penguins were. I think there are only a point outside of second place. I'm not to double check. Nashville, Arizona, I mean, really? Vancouver, Minnesota, and then Calgary, Winnipeg.

It's just a lot of the, like, unless you're like a real fan of these teams, just any kind of fan of these teams. I guess I should say, I don't know why I said real fan, but just any kind of fan of these teams. Like, who else is going to watch this? Or other than people that, you know, get paid to cover the teams or whatever. It's just, there's just better ways to do this. And I touched on it in my article today. I'll touch on in this right now. What you can do is, what I would do the top three teams in each division. So six teams per conference get buys. And I say this because it prioritizes placing top three in your division. I'm sorry, but a team like the Penguins,

who is the number five seed in the Eastern Conference, should not have a play-in series with a team that is 15 points behind them and a team that does not deserve to get in. The same goes for the Edmonton Oilers. I touched on this as well. They should not have a playing series with a team like to Chicago Blackhawks

who are also below 500 and do not deserve to be in the playoffs. The Oilers are, like I said, just a couple points, maybe one point outside of the second place, in the Pacific, I can actually check that right now. And let's see here as we scroll as we scroll. Funny enough, it actually says that they are in second place, but I don't think they have the best point percentage overall.

But still, like, just the fact that like that has to, it's just, that's just dumb, man. That's just, that's absolutely stupid. And it's so funny about the Blackhawks. They're eighth place in the Central Division. They are over 20 points behind the blues. They're still going to get in the playoffs. It's just funny.

Like I said, what I would do, we'll just get back on track here. Top three teams in each division get a bot. And then, so then you can have your, this can be between the wildcard teams. Have these bottom teams, the 24 teams, just earn their way to the 16 team playoff. Have them earn their way in. And what I mean by that is have the third wildcard team, so the team behind wildcard number two, which would be in usually with a 16 team format, have them play wildcar team number six. So whoever versus Montreal, you know, whoever versus Chicago.

And then have the wild card four versus wild card five. Have that be a best of three, best of five, whatever. And then you can have those two series. The winner of those two series goes on to play Wild Card 1 and Wild Card 2, who would be in the playoffs right now if it was a regular season. So then you can have those two teams, battle the teams that won the first round of the wild cards, and then those two teams that win those two series

in the best of five or whatever, they go on to the regular round of 16, and then you just see that one through eight who gives a shit. You know, I think that's the best way to do it. It's the most fair, like I said. It actually makes it so those bottom wildcard teams have to earn their way to the 16-team tournament.

You know, there is a lot of randomness that goes into a five-game series, three-game series. I think it's going to be a five-game series with what Pierre LeBron and Elliot Freeman are reporting. A goaltender can get hot. Silly shit happens with officiating. Sometimes a better team doesn't always win.

And don't get me wrong. As a Penguins fan here, I'm sure you guys are probably like this too. I don't think anyone is scared of the Montreal Canadians. Please don't take it that way. I am not scared of Montreal. Curry Price has been nothing but average these past few seasons. Could he get hot in that series if this goes through? Sure.

Yeah, you know what? If it happens, it happens. You know, there's nothing you can do about it. But I really wouldn't expect that. The HABs are really not that good. I think the penguins would beat the HABs pretty handily, and I think the same thing would be of Edmonton and Chicago, but you know what? It would be so NHL if both of the 12 seats upset at the 5 seats if this format goes through. But again, there's a lot that has to happen.

We have to see what happens with the NHLPA meeting tonight to see if they want to tweak it. Again, the tweak that I just mentioned, I think it would be really, really good. I think it's more fair if you want to do the 2014 format. I think the most fair, as I've said so many times on this podcast and on my Twitter feed, the 20 team format, you have the 8 versus 9, the 7 versus 10, and then whoever wins those goes into the playoffs. You seed them 1 through 8. You don't need to do the division thing. I am glad that they are going away from the divisional garbage. They're actually going seeding 1 through 8 for the first time since what 2012, 2013 was the last season that they did it, I think. Yeah, they moved the first year

of the divisional thing, I think, was 2013-14. Yeah, yeah, yeah, because that was the year the Penguins played Columbus and then went to play New York. Yeah, I was just trying to remember. So I apologize for talking to myself there a little bit. But like I said, I'm really glad that they're doing that. So if this were to go through, though, let's just say that. So the Penguins, they would play Montreal. If they beat them, they would go on to play the Flyers.

I have to keep reminding myself that these games would not be in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh without fans. They would be in the Hubs cities without any fans. So, you know, there's really no home field advantage for anyone. And then if the Penguins were to win that series, they would most likely have a date set up with the Boston Bruins in a playoff series with them for the playoff series with them for the the first time since the 2012, 2013. But again, long way to go for this sort of thing.

I just thought I would share my thoughts on it and basically share what my tweak would be for this kind of format. I just, you know, the NHL is kind of lame for doing this. You know, I know the only reason why they're doing it, you know, money, money, money, revenue talks, but you know what? If that's the only reason that you're allowing these two bad teams to get in, I don't, so that's just not good enough. At least for me, I don't think that's good enough in my opinion.

But I can tell you what is good enough, though, and that is Bill Pard is one of the best tasting protein bars ever. They're tasty, they're a protein bar, they taste like a candy bar, 16 amazing flavors, eight chocolate nut flavors, eight chocolate nut-free flavors. They're covered in 100% chocolate. They're soft and easy to chew. They're low calorie, low sugar, high protein, and high fiber. My favorite flavor that I just can't stop eating is the peanut butter brownie, has 20 grams

of protein, 170 calories, three grams of sugar, and three, three, three. grams of net carbs. Again, with the offer that I touched on early in this episode and a lot that I've been doing lately, you can go to buildbar.com, use promo code locked on, and you'll get $10 off your first order. And that's promo code locked on for $10 off at buildbar.com. All right, so we're back on this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. So for this day in Penguins history, a couple interesting things. So this day in 1992, Penguins winner Kevin Stephen scored four goals against Boston for his first postseason hat trick with Pittsburgh. So this was during the back-to-back.

This was when they swept the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cal Finals, so this was right before that. And then the big one, this day, 2009, Evgeny Malkin gets his Hattrick against Carolina, game two on Cam Ward for his first career, playoff hatrick. It was Malkin's fifth consecutive multiple point game in a playoff here. And that tied a Penguins team record held by Lemieux,

who did it in 91 and 92, and also Crosby scored his sixth game opening goal of the playoffs to tie an NHL record. I actually still have the the hat trick loaded up on my YouTube right now. So we're going to play the three goals that were scored by Evgeny Malikin

and Joe Benanadi's calls are just outstanding on all of them. We'll probably hear the goal home for a little bit, but here's goal number one from that game. We're not going to play the whole commentary here. But man, I mean, just looking at the egg glue again just looks absolutely spectacular with the whiteout.

This was also, I think, the game where um, Evgeny Malkin's family just became like a, so what's the word, what's the word I'm looking here for? Just basically like, they're like, they became national icons because of just how awesome

his mom was in the crowd, just going crazy. His dad was going crazy as well. Um, I think they come to every playoff game. They've come to every playoff game as long as they make the playoffs. It's just awesome that they can continue to come for playoffs games each and every year. It's just,

it's really awesome. So here's the second goal. This came. 4-4 midway to the third period. Darding down the wing, Corvo keeps him to the outside. Gleeson is pinned to Malkin. Gany Malkin steps towards the front, forced back to Kli for Coonis. It's just too good watching these goals.

I'm probably going to freak the hell out when I watch that third goal again. I've lost track, honestly, of how many times I have watched this video over the years, just because it's so good. And I just can't get over the fact of how dominant Malkin was that playoff run. We'll skip forward here to the third goal. We'll play that clip for a while because of just how awesome it is. And we'll get to hear just the entire call. So here, here it goes.

All right. You to produce enough of these little eye-opening, eyebrow-raising opportunities in the attack. And it's a one-shot game. Malkin, thoroughly. Kitchen people. Nogany Malkin looking up with the board, waiting to see a review of his handiwork. All right. So I know that was a long call, but just everything about that goal, you know, I probably

I have that memorized in my head for, what, four to five years now, you know, that my favorite part, you know, all me all the time, just, you know, putting his hand up, basically telling everyone to come to him, his mom and dad going crazy. The late John Barbera, you know, rest in peace, of course, you know, late Penguins P.A announcer who just had some of the best goal calls, just the way he was just able to do it. Him, and he did the same thing for Crosby, too, Lettang, just about anyone you know, Lemieux, Yager, he was just, he was an icon. And so, yeah, I mean, rest in peace to him, of course. But also, you know, Joe Beninotti's call of that, you know, oh my word, it's just, it gets better and better each time you see it. And just, Cam Ward, he just looked stunned.

You know, there was nothing he could do about that, considering, Malcon did, there was a no look, just, you know what, I'm flinging in a top shelf, and there's nothing you can do about it. And there really was nothing he could do about it. He just probably sat there and disbelieve. I would love to get to talk to Cam Ward at some point and just be like, so Cam, can you just take us back through that goal and, you know, what the hell happened? And I would just love to see his response. And also the same for Dennis Seidenberg. You know, he was doing all he could do on Malkin.

And Malkin just unleashes that no look backhand top cheese on Ward. And, you know, they're just no chance. So, yeah, I mean, that's one of the greatest games I've ever seen Malkin play. That's the greatest postseason run he's ever had. That's one of the greatest postseason's run in Penguin history with how he was just so dominant he 100% deserved that cons might. You know, if he didn't go off like that, that con smith was going to go to Crosby because Crosby was insanely good that playoff round.

I think both of them had over 30 points that playoff run. I know Malkin had 14 goals and 36 points. I'm just trying to make sure I think Crosby had 30. Yeah, he had 15 goals, 31 points. So yeah, I mean, that's just, like I said, if Malkin did not go off like that, that cons might was going to go to Cid and we could be talking about Crosby having three Khan Smyth's right now. That's just how dominant he was to you. But, you know, that postseason was about Evgeny Malkin. He just took his game to another level. And between that and his heart

trophy season, that was truly when Evgeny Malkin was the best player in hockey. And, you know, when he can get hot like that or even close to it, there are not many players that can just match how he's playing. There just isn't. But I'm glad we were able to do this, you know, get this moment in Penguin's history on that. I literally open up this video at least once a week. Just, you know, know, especially during this time with quarantine because it is playoff time. Well, it should be playoff time. And just watching that just brings back so many memories. I remember where I was watching that and everything.

I remember my mom and my whole mom's family just going crazy when it happened. So for this last little segment of this episode, there's really not too much else to talk about. We did see some interesting, well, some awesome news, I should say. I don't know why I just said interesting news, some awesome news from the Penguins Day. Mary Lemieux and Ron Burkle, they've donated $100,000 each to assist local. institutions battling the coronavirus. The joint donation will be split equally between Highmark Health and UPMZ for programs related to the health crisis. So another reason why I absolutely love this organization. Lemieux and Berkel are just outstanding coloners.

And in a joint statement that provided by the Penguins, they say we are so proud of how the Penguins, players, coaches, staff, and management have stepped forward to assist our community. We hope that these donations can help Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities deal with this unprecedented crisis. So kudos to Lemieux and Berkel, though, donating $100,000 each to that. Just absolutely awesome stuff. Like I said, another reason why I just love this organization.

Also, today, happy 23rd birthday to John Marino. It is pretty crazy that he's only six months older than I am. And, you know, he's a rookie in the NHL, and I'm just here doing a podcast and a fresh college graduate. So, you know, two different lifestyles. But no, I'm just playing around. But seriously, happy birthday to John Marino. he was having a hell of a season before the season went on hiatus.

He was definitely in my running for Calder Trophy finalists. If this was up to my ballot, it would have been Cal McCar, Quinn Hughes, and John Marino. I know there's a couple other people you could put on there, you know, Adam Fox, Oloxin of the Sabres. But to me, it was, you know, Quinn Hughes, McCar. Well, of course, McCarr, I would have to count McCar winning. I think he's better than Hughes, and I think he was having a better season. But I would have Marino as a finalist, even with the injury time that he missed. just he doesn't have the offensive numbers of course that McCarr and Hughes has but he's just

so rock solid in his own end and I think the offense will come as he continues to develop so like I said happy 23rd birthday to him many many more for John Marino also hope he's able to have his first taste of playoff hockey even though it's going to be without fans let's see what else yeah I think that honestly might be it for content for this episode I know it's a little bit of a short one but I mean I will I will close with this you know there are some weird people that are like somewhat fearful of carry price. I know I touched on this earlier in the episode and I've talked about it a lot on my Twitter lately.

I think people you guys need to stop overrating Kerry Price. You know, this is not 2014-15 carry price. This is not 2015-16 carry price. Those days are a long past. I know he's battled some injuries, but even this season, he was not really that good. Even the past couple of seasons before he got injured, not really that good.

And as I've said, yeah, can a goalie get hot in a Bestify playoff series? Yes, it's very random. It can 100% happen. Would I expect Carrey Price to get very hot with that team in front of them with that team defense and not a lot of high-end talent? I mean, there is still some decent talent on the Canadians, but not a lot of high-end talent. No, I really, really don't expect it.

You know, if it happens and I'm wrong, I'll eat all the crow. You guys can blame me for the Penguins if they lose to the Canadians if this happens. But please do not fear Carrie Price. I really don't understand the panic into doing it. and yeah, I'll just, I'll close that episode with my thoughts on that. So thank you guys so much for listening to this episode of Lockdown Penguins. We'll be back tomorrow the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. And we will talk to you all then.

Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. The show's Twitter at LO underscore Penguins. Remember to listen to the national. So Locked on NHL comes every Monday. I'll hopefully try to be on that at some point in the next couple weeks. Maybe see if I can reach out or whatever. And yeah, so we have another episode coming tomorrow. I'm not really sure what we'll talk about yet.

Maybe we'll have an announcement on the proposed playoff format, or maybe they're going to be making some tweaks. We'll see about that. What happens with the meeting tonight? And yeah, have a good day, everyone, and we will be back tomorrow.