Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Geno's return is about to be one giant boost

Episode Date: April 28, 2021

An off day for the Pittsburgh Penguins still brings plenty of talking points! In this episode, Hunter goes over the Penguins practice today and what lines you can expect to see on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. He also talks about if Geno still will return while then previewing these two games as the Penguins will have to take advantage with Alex Ovechkin likely missing both. After that, he goes into the NHL's new TV deal with Turner Sports in more depth and why it's outstanding for the league. Who could Turner Sports hire for an "Inside the NHL show? Who should be their No. 1 broadcast team? After that, he goes a little around the league before answering a question about how this affects fans overseas.Listen to The Ultimate Mock Draft 2021 presented by Audacy and the Locked On Podcast Network. April 19th-26th. Follow the feed today!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. 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.

You're Locked-on Penguins, your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Thank you this Wednesday afternoon edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow this show, is Twitter at L.O underscore Penguins. This episode is brought to you by Lockroom. You can download the app and join me this week.

I'm going to actually be doing something tomorrow night to get in on the action. room changing the way we talk sports. And it absolutely sucks that I'm going to be doing it. Tomorrow is actually the only night that I can. Saturday, I won't be able to. I'm actually going down to Richmond. Did you see just some of my family? And I'm also meeting my girlfriend's dad for the first time.

So I'm not going to be able to do something for that game. And, of course, you know, the team doesn't play again until Monday. But I'm going to be doing a locker room probably right after the Capitals game tomorrow. I think the draft will be, well, it'll be in basically full swing. So I'm going to have the draft on while I do it. Hopefully the Steelers don't pick. while I do it. But if it does, I'll try to make something work with it. But we're back today with another episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast.

I'm just going to go over some practice stuff today, some lines. I'll also preview these two games series against the Washington Capitals. And we're also going to touch on the new NHL TV deal with Turner Sports. And I'm probably going to dump a little bit on NBC. But let's get into it. So the Penguins did practice today. Evgeny Malgan was a full participant. It looked like that he was not going to be a full participant for a while just because he was running a white,

practice surgery why everyone was wearing black or gold. But Sullivan did say after practice that there was limited contact, so he was still a full contact participant in practice today. There was no wine rushes. He skated with the extras, so maybe he's held out for tomorrow. But I'm sure he's going to be at the morning skate tomorrow, so we'll see if they pencil in for some line rushes. But he did not take line rushes today,

but he also did do a lot of work on the top paraplegal unit and the second power play unit as well. The lines overall, though, yes, everywhere Mark Jancowski will officially, and yes, actually officially, will be coming out of the lineup tomorrow night against Washington. Ferry Goodrow will be taking his spot. It looked like it was Gensel-Crosby Rust. McCann, Carter, Cappan, and Carter are still on the same line, but then Cappinant is on the second line.

I think they're getting ready. When Malkin comes back, they're probably going to slide in Carter down and then go McCann, Malkin, Cappan. and then I'm guessing they're just going to go you know Zucker, Carter, Rodriguez and then when TANF comes back, I think it's going to go Ashton Rees Bluver with Tannep.

But for the third line right now, it's Zucker with Bluhr and Aston Reese and then the fourth line, who is not going to be in the lineup much longer with Freddie Goodro and Ever Rodriguez. So the penguins get ever so closer to being healthy. I'm still going to write on the prediction

that if Gennie Malkin will play tomorrow in the lines that I think you'll see. Gannon, Soul, Crosby, Rust. I think you'll see McCann, Malkin, Cappan, and then I think you'll see Zoker with Bluger and Aston Reese, and then I think you'll see, well, I don't know if you'll see Zoker-Bulger, Astner, Aston Rees, I think you'll see Zulker with Carter and Aston Rees, and then I think you'll see, in the way of the fourth line,

you know, something with Freddie Goodro, Teddy Blueger, and Evan Rodriguez. But that's just my opinion. The defense remained the same, and Tristan Jari was the first goal, y'all. So, yes, he will be getting the start. You know, not much really any debate there. And that was basically it for Penguins practice. So again, Freddie Goodrow, definitely making his return tomorrow. And while it's still a bit uncertain with Gino, I still think he will be back tomorrow

against the Capitals. But if he is not, he won 1,000% will be back on Saturday because I think they practice on Friday. So maybe they want him to go through another full contact practice. But in my opinion, I still think he will be good to go for tomorrow night. And that a moment too soon because they desperately need him back, especially after that game on Tuesday against Boston. You could just tell that that was a game that they really needed Balkan there.

I thought. It was honestly the first game in a while that he's been out that you could just really feel the presence of him not being out there. But if he does come back tomorrow, the Penguins would finish 14 and 5 and 2 without, you know, the fact that they would only have five regulation losses in 21 games. It's absolutely insane. You know, points in 16 of those 21 games. Like I said, that's just awesome. But, you know, let's just get to a little bit of a preview with the Capitals. So Washington will be without out. So that's can apparently Peter Lauduolette today said that he has not skated since.

last Thursday when I believe he played. I think he had to leave the game early. So he did not play on Saturday. Obviously, against the Islanders did not play yesterday against the Islanders either. But it didn't even really matter just because the Penguins, excuse me, the Capitals took all three games against the Allender. So, I mean, the Islander is probably going to be pretty pissed off. I would think coming back home to play the Rangers.

The Rangers have a murderers row of their last six games to somehow qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs, which is probably not going to happen. I think the Islanders are going to be really upset. But the Cowboys are also playing some really good hockey right now. Like I said, do not expect to see Ovechkin in either of these two games. Like I say, he has not even skated. So he's definitely not going to play. The Penguins need to take advantage of that.

I said I would be okay with a split against the Bruins, and I still would be okay with a split here against Washington. And I say that because I kind of in a way don't really want Pittsburgh to get first place in the East Division. I mainly just want them to get home Mishish because of how well they've played at home, 20 and 4 and 2. through 26 of their 28 games at PPG Paints Arena. Obviously, they have two more against Buffalo in their final two games of the regular season. But, I mean, I obviously still want home eyes.

I just don't want to run the chance of getting the number one seat in the East Division than playing Boston in the first round. That's the team that I want to avoid the most. I talked about this on my podcast yesterday. I guess I'll get into a little bit right now. I've seen a lot of – I shouldn't say a lot of people, excuse me. I've seen some people on Penguin's Twitter just be like, well, you know, they match a best with the Bruins, and I can't disagree with those people

enough, just because the Bruins have always given them those fits over the years, and that's also the team, one of the only teams in the division this year that the Penguins have a losing record against. Remember, 4 and 2 against Washington, 6 and 2 against the Islanders, 6 and 2 against the Rangers, 6 and 2, basically against the

Devils, 5 and 1 against the Sabres, and 3 and 5 against the Bruins, and then so far right now, they're 2 and 3 and 1, or 2 and 4 against Philadelphia. So they have only played 2, teams in this division not that well this year. One of them being the Bruins, that's one reason I don't really want them to go against them in round one.

Another one being, you know, Tuka Rasque. He really turned it on last night. He's an incredible goalie. I will always say that he is the best goalie in this division. And, you know, the Marshawn Berger on Posternak line. You can't be running the Sid line out against them every shift. I mean, they got caved in with 30% of coursey and shot attempts against last night. I mean, they just, they got caved in, and that's not something you can have in a seven-game series,

because the Marsha and Bergen-Postnerich line will probably win that matchup in at least three of their wins. You know, that line will honestly carry them to three wins. So that's the team I really wanted to avoid, and then you can basically flip a coin with playing Washington and the founders. And Pittsburgh has played Washington well this year. They are four and two against some of the lines you'll see from Washington tomorrow. Old friend Daniel Sprong is on the top line with Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson. Strong has actually had a nice year for Washington. I was looking up his stats earlier today.

this is definitely not the same player that we once saw with the Penguins. This year he has 10 goals, 17 points in 36 games. And this is honestly, I think, one of his second or third best seasons overall in the league. Remember, with the Ducks, he had 14 goals and 19 points and another season. Well, actually note that this is his second best season. The hockey reference page threw me off a bit. But after he was traded from Pittsburgh to Anaheim, 14 goals, 19. 47 games overall in that season had 23 points.

60 games. This year, 17 points, like I said, in 36 games, 10 of those goals. And all 10 of those goals have been even strength. So he's enjoying a nice season. He's been relegated up to the top line. So, you know, good for him. I still like that trade for the Penguins overall with getting Pedersen back. But it's still been nice to see him actually produce. Because Nets off and Wilson on that top line, Mantha Backstrom, Oshie. So this is still a very lethal top six, even with Ovechkin, not out there for both games. The bottom six, though, it leaves a bit a bit to be desired. But, you know, Connor Sherry always scores against Pittsburgh.

Lars Eller is still a nice defensive center. Michael Raffel is on their third line, who is not really that good. And then their fourth line, Hagland, Dowth, Hathaway. I love the Penguins' bottom six against Washington's. And that's one of the reasons why I like this matchup overall for the Penguins, just because I think they're still deeper than Washington, even when the capitals are fully healthy. And Pittsburgh is also going to get fully healthier in the next couple weeks as well.

So they can still run, you know, Carter with Zucker on the third line. Then you can also run the Astrosny's Blue Gertan, line or Ashton Rees Blugger Rodriguez or moved hand of up to the third line with Zucker and Carter and I would take that bottom six over Washington's any day of the week. Defensively, Justin Schultz is still out for Washington. Orlov Carlson at the top, Brendan Dillon, Trevor Rand Reef, Zikes, and Dana Chara, Nick Jensen, it was pretty awesome this season. Dano Chara, absolutely just look at Matt Martin with just evil.

It was a pure evil look from him as he was fighting him. But he's also enjoyed actually not a bad season. But, you know, I still don't like Washington's defense as much as Pittsburgh's. I like Pittsburgh's bottom pairing better, and I think the Pedersen-Marino pair as a second pairing is better than Brendan Dillon-Dillan and Trevor Rand Reef. It's a good pairing, but like I said, I think I prefer Dumlin-Littang overall. And for the goalies, I'm not really sure which one they'll start. Vanacheck and Samsonov have both been pretty decent for Washington this year. I'm not even really sure which one they're going to start in the playoffs.

That's actually a pretty big question, and we obviously know that Tristan Jari is the guy for the Penguins, they very most likely clinch. I mean, it's that 99.97% chance that they'll get in unless the Penguins basically just lose out and the Rangers just win out every game. Which again, like I said, is very unlikely to happen, but I'll still be curious to see which goalie the Capitals go with tomorrow against Pittsburgh.

And it's been a while since these two teams have played. I don't think we've seen Pittsburgh-Washington play since mid-February, mid-late February. So it's been about eight to ten weeks since these last two teams have gone at it. And, you know, like I said, Pittsburgh, four and two against them thus far. I've had a lot of success against them early on in the season. I think in basically, I think in two

of the games in Pittsburgh, the Penguins took both to go two and O against them earlier in the season, which is the big reason why they are four or two against them. I think in the other two in D.C., they split those and then the other two in Pittsburgh, they split those as well. So, like I said, I'm expecting probably a split

in this series. I'm not sure it's going to be a sweep for either side, but this is still something that the Penguins should take advantage of Alex Ovechkin will not be playing in these two games, I don't think since he has not skated or practiced with the team since last Thursday when he played in that game. And it looks like Evgeny Malkin is nearing his return. Like I said, I think it's going to be tomorrow night that you see him play.

And overall, before I do get to this commercial break, I'm excited for these two games. You know, like I said, they haven't played in a while, and I think we are in a collision course for Penn's Caps round five, hopefully in the second round. What I really want to see, I guess, is in my head for full chaos. Washington go up against Boston so both those fan bases can kill each other, and then the Penguins get the Islanders. In a very tough matchup that will be very, very close.

I think that series will definitely go seven. I think Washington, Boston would go seven as well. But if the Penguins play the Capitals in the first round, I wouldn't mind that either. Like I said, I would take Pittsburgh over Washington in that, but I think it's a lot closer than it was earlier in the season because when the Penguins were playing these guys earlier in the year, I thought this would be like a five-game series.

But now with how Washington's playing, especially without Ovechkin, I think this would definitely be a seven-game series like it has been in years past. But I'll do it for this segment of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Coming up next, we're going to go into a little bit of the TV deal and a couple other things. But before we do that, it's time to talk about a belt bar, 18 amazing flavors, six new flavors, caramel brownie, cookies and cream, carrot cake, 12 originals, mint brownies, salted caramel, double chocolate and orange. The bars are covered in 100% chocolate. They are soft and easy to chew.

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You'll have a chance to chat with me. It might even have a chance to be featured on the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Throughout our locker room conversations, be sure to join me this week. Tomorrow night on Thursday I'll be hosting a room probably right after the game against Washington, right during the NFL draft as well. You can go download the free locker room app right now, currently available on all iOS devices, and there also is good news. There is a beta out for all Android users.

Download the app. Let me know how it is. Is it buggy? See if it works tomorrow night when I go live on the locker room app. Be sure to create a profile link to Twitter and join the NHO group for the latest league updates. Follow me at Hunter Hodes to be notified when my room goes live. I know you won't want to miss it. Like I said, I'm planning to be live Thursday around 9, 930.

I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts on the Penguins. See you there. Locker room changing the way we talked sports. All right, welcome back to this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at LOW underscore Penguins. So yesterday was a big deal for the NHL.

They secured their B-package TV deal for the United States. And it is Turner Sports. So, in case anyone does not know who Turner Sports are. that does not live in the United States. That is TBS and TNT. Most of the games will be on TNT. Some of the details of that deal. 72 regular season games

will be on TNT. Most of them will be on TNT. I think only a few of them will be on TBS. And then they also will get half of the Stanley Cup playoffs. I'm sure 2 TV will also have a few of those games as well. Whichever conference final that ESPN does not pick, they will have the other one. And then they will also get three Stanley Cup finals

of the seven-year deal that they signed with the NHL. And this also includes streaming services such as HBO Max, which I love that I have because my girlfriend has it, so I don't really have to pay for that as well as Hulu. You know, I can watch those 50 out-of-market games or whatever, or 75 out-of-market games, I think that ESPN will do with their package with Hulu. I think that's going to be exclusively broadcast on there, and I can just watch them for free because I have Hulu, so I absolutely love that.

But my overall thoughts on this, this is a great move for the NHL, Overall, gone under the days now where NBC really doesn't give two shits about hockey. I've seen a lot of weird takes, I think, on hockey Twitter the last couple of days. Like, well, you know, the people that are mad at NBC, like, you don't know what you're talking about. You don't really know how good you had it. And it's like, I mean, imagine really simping for NBC's product of the NHL. I really don't understand. I'm trying to find a tweet here that I saw from hockey Twitter yesterday that I responded to.

Yeah. So here it is. This person said that NBC always puts together a quality production, both on broadcasting cable. I'm sorry, that is just flat out not true. The broadcast was never good. I mean, did anyone really give a shit where their players played their junior hockey or pee-wee hockey when they were six years old or bantam hockey

when they were 10 years old from Pierre McGuire and stuff? No, no one really gave a damn about that. I saw last night, I think Ryan Lambert even tweeted out from elite prospects and stuff. When NBC was talking about the Norris, I think Patrick Sharpen a couple of other people were discussing it, the first act they discussed was plus minus. It's like that's the stat that you're going to when you're going to talk about the Norris'

freaking trophy when there's so many other good stats to use like expected goals for and expected goals against and, you know, chances for, chances against, and the shot attempts for per 60 and the shot attempts against per 60. And just the regular stats, like, you know, points and assists and goals and et cetera, et cetera. And, you know, the zone entries against per 60 and the zone entries four. And it's like, why are you using plus minus? that is doing the bare fucking minimum when talking about a major award. And that is just, the product went so stale with NBC. And I don't think Turner Sports or ESPN will do that.

I actually think they'll hire people that know what they're talking about, like, you know, aka someone like Mike Johnson who is underused on TSN, he should be ESPN or Turner Sports number one color commentator. He is that good. And Alex Foss as well, he does great stuff with the LA Kings. He needs to be hired by Turner Sports or ESPN to be one of their number one color commentators. he also does, you know, he's outstanding with their stuff. You know, I was talking to Jake Baskin,

please go follow him on Twitter. He does a great stuff with broadcasting, and so we're just pit-balling some names. And, you know, NBC does have some talent that I would like for one of those two major networks to bring over, like John Foresland, Brendan Burke should have a prominent role. Kenny Albert does a hell of a job.

I'd like Patrick Sharp to come over, even though, like I said, the plus-minus thing was a little weird. Anson Carter, hard pass. Keith Jones, don't really give a shit what he says. You know, already Mike Milbury. been fired, Jeremy Roanick was weird, but Pierre McGuire, please know. And it was just, you know, NBC

was always treating NHL as like a second or third priority. Remember, this was a network that would, you know, put the NHL on the golf channel. I mean, and that's just stupid. You know, 3 o'clock games would start at 325 or 330 and it's like, that is just stupid. That's not how you treat

the NHL as you're the number one rights holder in the United States of America. It really didn't make any sense to me. And I understand that NBC was great for the league at the start. But like I said, it's just been really stale, I think, since 2012. And I am happy that they're out of the picture. I 100% am. It's time for a fresh start. And, you know, with ESPN and stuff getting into the fold, you know, they're going to put these highlights on SportsCenter. That is one of the biggest

shows, if not the biggest show that ESPN has. Hell, first take, again, you're going to have Stephen A. Smith talking about hockey. I mean, I can't wait to see. I was on the radio today with Wesley Euler on ESPN Pittsburgh. You know, can't wait to hear what Stephen A. Smith says about Tom Wilson's first bad hit when the ESPN has the A package rights. I mean, inject those comments into my veins. And for Turner Sports, bring in an inside the NHL show. You know, Jeff Zucker, I think, who's the CEO of Turner Sports on Tuesday at the media

press conference, excuse me, said, you know, yeah, we do want to model after the inside the NBA show. And, you know, one person that got me thinking who I hated when the Penguins played against him when he was with the Rangers, was Sean Avery. I understand he's a total douchebag, but he's hilarious, and that would drive ratings up through the roof. And like I said, he's funny,

he knows the game, and it would be funny to have a show that has him featured on there. I'm sure you could get other people on there to have good personalities, Brett Hull, I mean, maybe he would be a bit too drunk to do something with inside the NHL,

but he knows the game, and he's one of the best players to ever do it. I mean, that would be awesome, or you can maybe put them on ESPN. So, I mean, that would just grow the game even more. And yes, put Charles Bark, on an inside of the NHL show as well. He is a huge hockey fan.

Remember when he was at the 2017 Stanley Cup final watching the Predators against the Penguins, he was a huge Predator's hand, and he's been open about the Stanley Cup playoffs being one of the best sporting events of the year. So giving him the freedom to talk about hockey would be awesome. It grows the game.

And with this deal especially, like I said, this really is going to grow the game, and I can't commend Gary Betman enough. I've always shat on him for obvious reasons. He's been pretty shitty for a lot of his time. as commissioner with a bunch of stuff, but he knocked both of these TV deals out of the park, and this is really going to grow the game of hockey in the next seven years. Remember, also everyone that Turner Sports owns Bleach Report, which is one of the biggest websites for sports news,

sports blurbs. Remember the team sheet out the bleach report app that gives you the push notifications and they're going to do highlights on there. That will also grow the game a lot as well. So this is great for the league overall. I'm really excited to see not just who TNT and TBS hire to do their color commentary and the playby. play and the inside the NHL show, but who ESPN hires as well for that. But like I said, great news for the league, and I'm really happy to see that NBC is finally out of it because, you know, the league just needs a fresh star and they need to start having themselves be a top four major sport in this country that they say they are.

All right. That is that. On that, we still have one more segment to go for the Locked on Penguins podcast today. But first, it's time to talk about bet online, the fastest, easiest way to bet on all your sports action. Baseball season is in full swing, and you can track all the action at the Online. This week has tons of sports action on the go as the NFL draft is on and the Kentucky Derby is back as the first leg of the triple ground begins this weekend. You can get all the latest news, odds and info for all your sporting needs, including MLB, NBA, NHL and all your UFC MMA action. Before the next pitch, head over to bed online on your laptop or mobile device and check out all the great sporting news. Send up on the bonuses and contest information. Don't sit on the sidelines anymore as this is your best chance to get them into the game as the team is prep for the runs to the playoffs. Head to the website or use your mobile device. and received 50% off welcome bonus on your first deposit that's been online your online sportsbook

experts with a promo code locked on all right welcome back to this episode of the locked on penguins podcast i'm your host hunter hoodies remember to follow me on twitter at hunter hoodies follow this shows twitter at l i want to score penguins i did have a question um from the locked on penguin's twitter account as it pertain to the tv deal i forgot to get to it in the last segment but i am going to get to it um now if i can just find this tweet here um from before the game real quickly. I know this is probably Bat Rio. This is from a Danny 2KD. He asks, is there any chance on your next episode when you bring up

NHL said you can try and find what's happening for people outside the U.S. since I'm in England unless I've missed something already? Yeah, obviously, Danny, it is going to be a bit different with you, especially because NBC is no longer going to be in the fold and ESPN and TNT and TBS obviously have the rights. I don't think you guys have TNT and TBS out in I might be mistaken. I have not have to double check on that. As it pertains for you all out there, I think it's going to be like a main streaming stuff, you know. I know you told me you guys do

not have HBO Max out there. I was actually surprised to hear that. But I think with the ESPN deal, I don't know if you all have Hulu out there, but I think if you do, subscribe to that where you can watch the Penguins games on there. I think you'll be able to also watch the games on ESPN Plus. I think you should be able to have access to that out there. I can do a little more research for you on that to make sure, but I think you should be able to have that to watch the Penguins games. I know the NHL Network is basically almost going to be disbanded with this new TV deal. I mean, they may do stuff with it, but I mean, it's probably not going to be a whole lot.

But I think that's probably your way to go. If you can get an ESPN Plus subscription in England, like I said, that's probably your best bet because you'll get all the Penguins games. on a weekly basis. And as for the playoffs, you might have to stream them, but I think ESPN Plus will also carry them through that, if I'm not mistaken. But a site that I do use that I've talked about on this podcast before, Surge Sports. I don't know if you have that out there in England. I have it here, you know, in the United States, it's an online streaming website, does football, basketball, hockey, soccer, whatever. I know the stream, it's probably about

30 seconds behind, but the streams are very high quality. They're really, really, really good. The picture's great. And that's how I've been watching most of the Penguins games this year, actually, because I'm obviously not in Pittsburgh. I live in northern Virginia in the States. So a few options there for you. So to repeat, surge sports, if you can access that, if you get an ESPN plus subscription, I would do that. And if you potentially have Hulu to access to 75 plus out-of-market games, that will be exclusive to ESPN. That will not be on cable. I would also get that as well. I'm going to do some more digging for you, though, in case you guys do not have any of those services out there to try to see what's going to happen for fans outside the country, because I totally understand that's going to be a lot different moving forward with the TV deals and such. And as for other stuff surrounding the Penguins, there honestly is not that much news to talk about.

I guess around the league, some more teams clinched the playoffs last night. Tampa Bay is into defend their title. Florida and Carolina have also clinched. I mean, that's going to be a bloodbath in the Central Division with those three teams. The race for the fourth team, mainly between Nashville and Dallas. I'm curious to see who's going to get in there. The three big teams in the West have clinched. Of course, that is Vegas, Colorado, and Minnesota.

The race there with Arizona and St. Louis for that fourth seed, though I think St. Louis is going to grab that. And then, you know, some East teams can clinch tomorrow. The Penguins still have that clinching scenario tomorrow night, everyone. A win against the capals in any fashion, and a Rangers loss in regulation gets the Penguins into the Stanley Cup playoffs. But overall, down the stretch, in these last six games and the magic number,

it can be a couple of things. If the Rangers lose two games in regulation during their last six games, the Penguins will get in. If the Penguins win two games down the Shetcher and in any fashion, they will also get in. Or like I said, they can just do it tomorrow.

If they win, and the Rangers lose in regulation to the Islanders, Pittsburgh will officially clinch their spot in the Stanley Cup of Oaks. And I think Washington is the same way. I think if they win tomorrow and the Rangers lose, I think they are also in as well.

So both Pittsburgh and Washington will likely be clinching their playoff spots this weekend, if not, you know, Monday, Tuesday, you have next week. So I think that'll do it for this episode of the Walkdown-H-H-Wingwoods podcast. It just wasn't a lot to talk about other than, you know, the practice and a preview for the Washington game and then the NHL TV deal. But tomorrow I'll have an episode after the game against the Capitals as well as a locker room. And then for Friday, I'll have another episode on there, maybe talking a little bit more about the game and such. And maybe previewing the game on Saturday as well as maybe looking ahead to the Flyers games. and maybe we'll see if Brandon Tenev is nearing his return as well. But thank you all so much for listening to this episode.

I really hope you enjoyed it, and I'll talk to you all Thursday evening after the Penguins game against Washington.