Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Locked On Penguins-10/15/19- Weekend Recap & Look Ahead

Episode Date: October 15, 2019

For this episode, Hunter dives into the weekend recap of the Penguins after their 2 dominant wins against the Wild and the Jets. He makes the case for Sam Lafferty to stay in the lineup for the future and also looks at some of the other players who had great games. He then talks about the road ahead this week for the team. 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 and welcome to another edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. I apologize for not putting up an episode yesterday. I was busy a lot with some school stuff, just a lot of unnecessary stuff that I had to get out of the way. Of course, I was also busy with the Washington Nationals. They are now one-one away from winning their first ever National League pennant. That's very exciting. Hopefully tonight they can get the job done.

But as usually, please subscribe to the podcast on Out. Apple and Spotify. It is still up. It'll be up forever. Please keep reviewing the podcast. Tell me what you guys think. I really appreciate if you guys can keep doing that. I'd love to hear all your feedback. Things I could do better. Things I could keep doing well. And just, yeah, just all that good stuff. Also, and let's just get right back into it. There's a lot of news for the Penguins. Two outstanding wins this weekend for the Pittsburgh Penguins. 14 goals combined in the two games. Let's just start with the Minnesota game.

So the penguins, they beat the wild on Saturday, 7 to 4. They got to 2 and 2 on the season. Obviously, they're 3 and 2 now. And this was a complete 60-minute effort. Well, kind of. 55 minutes, definitely an amazing effort. The last 5 minutes, the penguins tore it a little bit. They gave up two goals, and I want to say 30 seconds to make it 6 to 4 before the empty netter, of course.

And then Matt Murray actually had to come up with a couple months. Monster saves, like, just a minute later. It was almost 6 to 5 in the matter of literally folks, like one to two minutes. Yeah, the Penguins, it looks like they took the foot off the gas pedal. They were just cruising a while. I mean, I remember I was watching the game, you know, just drinking a beer, like, okay, you know, they're just going to cruise to the wind. And all of a sudden, I actually had to start, sorry, sweating a little bit.

I was like, what the heck's going on? But the kids got in on the action this weekend, and let's just start with Sam Lafferty. They need to keep this kid up. That's really all I think they need to say about that. He now, I believe, yeah, he has three goals on the season in his first few games, the penguin. He just looks, he's fast out there. I know I say this all. He's fast.

He's tenacious. That fourth line that he's on with Adam Johnson, man, is that fourth line good? I mean, also Joseph Landtie's score. I think he was on that line too. It was just a speed and skill. They were lying. They were ferocious on the puck. I get it, guys.

Minnesota's not good this year. They're 0.4. But still, there's definitely a case to be made that Sam Laverty may be playing to keep his job up here. And that could make a winger such as Brian Rust expendable. I know it's only been a couple games, but he just, he looks really good up here. I mean, I've read that the, I think the Penguins, they raved about him before in the minor leagues. he's just he's very he's very very good and I was really excited to see his game develop I just want to keep it seeing I'm mixing up my words of course obviously but I want to keep seeing his game develop as the season goes on

Cindy Crosby was great one goal one assist in that game got two points Patrick Hornquist he looks like he's finding himself he scored in a few games already this season We can talk about Patrick Forkliss, probably this whole podcast about that game on Saturday Night against the Wild. Let's just go right into that. He got everyone on the Minnesota Wild Mad Online. And when I say Matt Online, if you don't know what that means, just Twitter reference. But, you know, he got them very riled up. And he got them so riled up that Devin Doobnick actually took a couple punches at him because Hornquist was right up in his grill.

And for some reason, he got a four-minute double minor for roughing. after he was so confused as to why he got called for those two penalties. I actually had to go back and watch the replay. There's the penalty here, fellas. It should have been a power play, honestly, for the penguins. But the game, of course, follow my Twitter at Hunter Hodes. I tweet about this during the game. I say, wow, you know, it's five goals and then it gets pulled.

Because that is exactly what happened. I believe that he did not look the same. He was letting in some kind of. goals, I'd say. Back when Holmesstrom played for Detroit, you know, he was basically like a carbon copy. And yeah, you know, when Patrick

Hornquist is on his game, that is what he's doing. He's riling up the opposing goaltenders, he's riling up the opposing players, he's getting everyone mad online, and it's great to see him that he's back playing like this, because the penguins need this from him as he

starts this very long contract extension, excuse me, making 5.3 million per they need this version of Patrick Onequest. They need it. He needs to keep playing like this, and I have no doubt that I think he will. I think he's going to keep surprising people.

Chris LaTang, great game again. He has a point, I think, and not as he hasn't have a point in every game, but first Penguins' defenseman in Penguin's history to reach 500 points. No, not even my mom's favorite player

at Penguin of all time, or the greatest penguin defenseman of all time and Paul Coffey even got there. I will always say that Paul Coffey will be the Penguins best defenseman of all the time. Crystal Tang is a second is second to him. Cooney Passant, well, probably not. No, he won't. Paul Coffey was just awesome. The reason why I say that's my mom's favorite players because he was, she has his

autograph, back home, and that's enough talking about my mom for today. What else we had here? Adam Johnson, I had two points. He had his first goal. His first goal as a National Hockey League player. He's kind of a player. He's been close to making the team. He just hasn't been room for him.

Now with all the injury. But, you know, he just hasn't been able to, like, get a foot. He gets to expose himself. He gets a couple points. He's trying to make a case to stay. Players expendable. You know, cough, cough, cough, Brian Rust. I know it's unfortunate that Brian Rust got hurt before the season,

but this does make him expendable if the penguins want to make a trade. And now we're on, and Jake Gensel. Jake Gensel is right back, but he's right there, folks. He is. He had those two goals against the Ducks, had a goal against the wild, and I believe scored against the Jets as well. The fact that I don't have that written down shows that I was not prepared

for this, so I don't know why I did that. I'm just trying to look up here if he had a goal or not. Geez, it's taken forever. Jake Gensel, Jake Gensel, you have two goals. So Jake Gensel now is up to five goals, I believe, already on this season. If my math is correct. Yeah, so he's right back after a little bit of a slow star, Jake Gensel, one of their best goals scores, 40 goals score from last year.

He's right back to where he started. Matt Murray had also had a really good game in that game. I thought Justin Schultz, Brandon Tanniff, good Lord. He's on a record, I think, to probably... He's probably on a pace to break the record for most penalties drawn in the season, folks. He is just fast out there.

I know he hasn't scored. He hasn't put up some points yet. I still think that's coming. That's definitely coming. He just... He's really surprised me. I know John Marino, his possession numbers are, to say the least. I think the below 40%.

But you know what? I'm still, you know, it's only a two or three game sample. I know he's playing with Jack Johnson. He's played with Eric Good Branson. But if you look at, I mean, if you just watch it, you don't really have to look at those numbers. Like, that's, I think, like, I love looking at obviously analytics. I'm a big fan of it.

I've watched the games too. Like, I've watched him. I think he's honestly looked fine. He's looked good in his own zone. I know the numbers, like I said, aren't too kind of in. But I think overall he's still playing fine. And Matt Murray, I know he allowed four goals, but most of those really weren't his fault. He had another very stellar outing.

And, yeah, just a really good effort by the Pittsburgh Penguins to get the – they got to two-and-two in that game. And we'll get to the Winnipeg Jets game coming up. Like I said, a great win for the Penguins. They just absolutely destroyed the wild. It's a great. Almost a 60-minute effort, like I said, 55 minutes. but really good stuff from the Penguins tonight. So if you guys want to know more about Vivid Seats,

it's an online event ticket marketplace dedicated to providing fans of live entertainment with experiences that last a lifetime. With Vivid Seats, listeners can watch their favorite teams and artists perform in person, earning credit back on all purchases made through the Vivid Seats app via the Vivid Seats Awards loyalty program. Vivid Seats offers great prices in an easy purchasing experience as well as an in-app loyalty program, Vivid Seeds Rewards. With reward statuses ranging from MVP to Hall of Famer,

customers can earn from 10% up to 16% credit on all their purchases through the app. You just have to go to the app store if you have an iPhone or Google Play if you have an Android and just download the Vivid Seats app. All Vivid Seats confirmed orders are backed by a 100% guaranteed. All right. So, of course, the Penguins also had another game this weekend that came against the Winnipeg Jets. and that was another shellacking for the penguins

they got to four and two the jets are four and three it was a pretty even first period and then the penguins the last two periods outscored the jets they scored six of the last seven goals it was 3-1 at some point and they cut it shifely cut it to 3-2

and then the penguins scored up course like I said for the last four goals of the game and let's just keep it going Sam Lappertie like I said you know played awesome again he has so I believe he has five points now in these last two games as a fourth line winger. Yep, just great stuff from him.

He's going to, yep, you see, we've already talked about him. He's going to try to keep up his spot. But also another player, Zach Aston Reese. He finally, you know, a lot of fans I think were getting on him, you know. And rightfully so, he just wasn't looking good. He looked kind of out of it. The biggest thing with Aston Reese has always been his health. He's never able to stay healthy.

It looks like he's about to turn the corner. It looks like he's about to start playing well, and then boom, an injury. And then he comes back. It looks like he's about to do it. And then another injury. And then the cycle repeats itself. Right now, he looks like he's turning the corner. Let's hope he does not get hurt.

He started the season slow, but against Winnipeg had two goals and three points, five shots on goal. He just looked really comfortable down in the bottom six. This is a big year for Austin Rakes. He needs to establish himself as an everyday player. He's been out of the lineup the last year or two. maybe a year and a half. And yeah, like, there could be a spot on this team if Brian Russ gets traded or someone else is scratched.

But like I said, it is go-time for Aston Reese. He needs, this is it. Like, that was a big game for him. It's time to keep the party going. Cindy Crosby, what a start to the season for him that he is on. I mean, wow. I think he has, I think if I'm not mistaken, he has in the first six games of this season. He has 10 points in those six games. Yeah, 10 points, three goals, seven assists in the six

games. He's off to a ferocious start for the penguins. You'd expect that, arguably the best player in the world. He's literally and figuratively and literally putting the team on his back. And you know what? That is what Cindy Crosby does, you know, when the penguins get hurt. He's just, he's that good. He had two assist in that game. He was just outstanding. Like I said, Gensel, two more goals. Yeah, he's finding his place. Chris Latang, two more assists.

He's found his game. Pedersen also had two assists. Blan D.C. had an assist. And then, oh, Dominic Simone, guys. Dominic Simone, got a goal. And I'm sure the segment of Penguins fans that hate him were absolutely loving that. You love to see it.

I just, I hope he keeps that. going because you know I still think he of course he does need to shoot the puck more but um I love that Dominic Simone uh finally on this board it's been well overdue for him honestly um if we're if we're really if we're really being honest here it was it was well overdue um he's played really well in that top line he's had some nice dishes to crosbie to get some scoring chances going in he drives play up there you can't like say he doesn't because he does you can literally look up the stats that show that he drives play on the top line. He's a good fit for Sidney Crosby and Jake Gensel.

They need to see what they have in this kid. And the pucks are going to start going in if he keeps shooting the puck. That's the thing. He can put up assist. I know he can do that. He's had bad luck with shooting and hitting all these pose and, you know, some bad luck with all these, the goalies making these awesome saves on him. But you know what?

He's ready. He's ready. I know he's ready for this. For this game, yeah, so yeah, six of their goals were scored by literally two players. Yeah, as I said, Ashton Ries, Laugh-Tan Latang, a bunch of assists, Teddy Bluger, gotten an assist, Brian Dumlin, Justin Schultz, Brandon Tannib, again, just, I think he drawn another penalty in this game. He's just, he's outstanding. There's nothing really more you can say about that.

And also, folks, we had Tristan Jari, have his first start at the season, putting up a very stellar 9-31. save percentage. He was actually of course coming off a wind meal the night before. They're not going to have. They're fully like rested legs, I should say. So, I mean, of course you need your only to help you out. He did just that. 27 saves on 29

shots. Penguins did a really good job of eliminating the shots on goal for Tristan Jari's first-name Shelstonard. 931 save percentage, as I said. The two goals he allowed, one of them was really bad luck. I think it was a bad. balance. The other one was just a nice, yeah, the shy of the goal was a bad balance. It went right to a stick, and Jari had no chance. And the other one was just a nice shot. So, um, Jari, very good performance in this first game. You know, of course, you know, if he somehow plays bad, Casey DeSmith is right behind him down in Wilkesbury. He's had some very good success in a limited sample size in Mianchelle. But if you're Tristan Jari, that is exactly the way that you want to start your season, um, as the backup goaltender to Matt Matt Murray, of course, much-eated night off. He started the first five games.

He got that night off, and now the Penguins will return home for the next three games. But just a great weekend of hockey for the Penguins. You know, the demise of the Penguins, I think, has been greatly exaggerated. They're four and two. They've won three in a row after that one-and-two start. Or, of course, everyone's like, fire everyone, fire everyone. Oh, my God, oh, my God. But I hope you...

Yeah, whatever. But playing good. I know the injuries are mounting. The curse of the penguins, someone must have pissed off the hockey gods. Because even I don't understand what the hell is going on with all these injuries. It just does not make sense to me at all. But you know what? Just two great wins, and the penguins will be back in action starting this week for three home games.

All right, so I think one of the final things I want to talk about before, I go into the penguin's schedule for this week and what I will be doing with episodes. It's guys, another injury for the penguins. You know what? They keep mounting. Penguins had practice today.

And Jerry McCann was not on the ice for practice. And of course, everyone was like, oh, come on. Better not be another injury. Sure enough. Mike Sullivan confirmed. And undisclosed,

was it a lower body injury? I believe it was. look up at Seth Rour, I'm a great writer. Oh, just an undisclosed element per Mike Sullivan. He's day-to-day. Still don't know his status for tomorrow night's game against Colorado Live Lunch. That it will be on Wednesday night

hockey on NBC Sports Network. Yeah, it is televised nationally. If you do not live in Pittsburgh, so everyone can watch the game. We don't have to go on Reddit for this game and stream it. But, yeah, so another forward take, it takes the hit for the Penguins

as he potentially is out tomorrow night. So that's down to Gauchengu, Mekken, Bukestead, Malkin, you know what the sad part is, I'm probably missing some too, which is pathetic. But yeah, it's just, it's reached a point now where it's like, come on, like, what the heck, man? Who pissed off the hockey god so much that they're just cursing the penguins with all these injuries? But I guess so I'm going to the schedule the week, the penguins have. three home games, big games. Colorado Abelanch, the last undefeated team standing, they opened up a can of, you know what?

I can't say that on the podcast. They absolutely beat down the Capitals yesterday, 6'3. Slow start to the season now for the Capitals in a little bit. But you know what, they'll wake up. So, you know, I don't think, you know, who cares. But Abelanish, the last undefeated team, believe they are 5 and 0-0. Yep, they are.

That is a big game. I'm hoping Doc and Emmer will be on the call around the night There will be no Pierre McGuire I do not think He is not on the NBC's Top broadcast this year

Hoopo Poe-oop, hooray! I don't think a lot of you probably, I hope you guys probably didn't like Pierre McGuire But you never know And then the Penguins We'll have another back-to-back

this weekend They will play the host of Dallas stars Tyler Sagan Alexander Radulav will come to town and Ors with Jamie Bam And then we will get our first matchup With the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday

You'll be sure to see if we finally get Matt Murray versus Mark Andre Fleury. It has been a while since we have gotten a Murray versus Florey matchup. Have we even gotten one? I think we have one. But I saw back to back. I think for that goal-tending matchup, they'll probably go maybe Jari against the Stars

and maybe he'll go Murray against Vegas. Just as they do the Murray-Flurry, everyone's going to be coming out to support Flurry because, of course, beloved Penguin. But Matt Murray has had a really good start of the season two. And that's the Penguins schedule for this week. They have a big road trip the next week. They play the Panthers who started slow, but they had that monster comeback against the Devils.

Speaking of the Devils, woof! Excuse me. Yeah, they've had a rocket start. John Hines, over under a week until he gets fired, maybe, man, put some money on that because I don't know how long he's going to last. It's not looking good in New Jersey,

especially after blowing that lead to the Panthers yesterday, even when Bobrovsky was just not even playing that good. So that was weird to see. And then they have the Tampa Bay Lightning next Wednesday. So I believe they're on Wednesday in hockey. Yeah, two weeks in a row they're on Wednesday in hockey before the next the following weekend. Hello weekend here down at Virginia Tech, of course. It is not on our party night.

They will play – they will go to Dallas. So they will play Dallas stars twice in eight days. And that is a look at the Penguins' next six games. This is big for the Penguins. So, yeah, that will be a three-game road trip after the three-game home stand before coming home to play the Flyers and the Oilers. So, yeah, like, yeah, the Penguins, they start out. A lot of their games are home. You got to keep back.

Like, this is the thing. You got to keep banking points. I know the lineup is hurt. It's nothing you can do about it, sadly. But you know what? As long as you keep banking these points, Sidney Crosby keeps playing it the way he does, Jake Gensel, Chris LaTang, the kids on the fourth line, which is a hell of a speedy line. As long as all of that keeps happening, Matt Murray, of course,

playing to the way that he can that he's capable of, the way that he's played of for most of this season, they can keep winning games and they can keep staying afloat through the early parts of this season, where until some of the players get back, like of Gennie Malkin, who's except to be out of month. We still can see a trade at some point. There's more rumors this weekend about

then shipping good brands and Johnson, since Moreno is getting playing time. It's so evident that Penguins like John Marino and that they want him to play there on the right spot on the third pairing. It's so evident that they're going to make a trade at some point. I would be so soft if they did. But yeah, it wraps up tonight's episode.

Tomorrow, like I said, they play the avalanche. I'll try to get up a preview of that game tomorrow. I love watching Nathan McKinnon, Sidney Crosby, go at it. That's so fun. Just watching the abs. They're just such a fun team. Whatever the Penguins are not in the playoffs, I root for them sometimes. I have a really good friend named Marcus who actually loves the Av.

Shout out to him. And he's, of course, diehard Penguins here, but he'll root for the abs when they're not on. So I love watching the Aves. It's going to be a great game. And, yeah, we'll talk to you guys tomorrow for the preview against the Avalanche. All right, guys. Talk soon.