Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Locked On Penguins 10/18- Avalanche Game Recap & Look Ahead to Weekend

Episode Date: October 18, 2019

In this episode of Locked On Penguins, Hunter recaps the wild overtime win by the Penguins over the Avalanche on Wednesday night. He talks about how Sidney Crosby is just a man made machine and how Brandon Tanev finally got the goal he's deserved through seven games. He then looks ahead to the weekend for the Penguins as they host the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights on back-to-back nights. 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 this latest edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. I'm sorry, I could not get to the show yet Thursday. I just a really busy day along with school again, but it's lightning up now. For this episode, we're going to talk about the Penguins' outstanding win over the Colorado Avalanche. I don't think a lot of people saw coming, I don't think, and we're also going to preview the game against the Dallas Stars tonight. They will play the Dallas Stars in Pittsburgh. The stars are really struggling this year for whatever reason.

And then also we'll maybe look ahead to tomorrow night's game versus the Vegas Golden Knights. But first, of course, follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show on Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. And let's just jump right into it. The Penguins defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3 to 2. There were no more unbeatens in the NHL. They fell to 5 and 0 and 1 while the Penguins improved to 5 and 2 and got to 2 in the Metropolitan Division, 2 points off of the Carolina Heart.

hurricanes and this was a very very good win for the penguins they were taking it to colorado in that first period they had no they just had no i'm like blanking on the word that i'm looking for right now like they just could not stop the penguins forecheck at all in that period the penguins were coming at them in waves um the power play looked really good that first period even though justin shultz was making me mad a little bit a couple times he was firing the puck really good, but it was just going a hair wide for whatever reason. I don't know why, but still, let's just start with Sidney Crosby. I mean, what else would you need to say now? 12 points in seven games, putting the team on his back. That goal that he had to tie the game late in the

first period, I compare it to, I don't know, I don't know how many, how many of you guys have watched Jeff Dunham. He's the ventriloquist that talks to himself with puppets, but he, Crosby literally made Eric Johnson. He literally and figuratively made Eric Johnson and Samuel Girard his puppets in that sequence. And it was disgusting the way he like, he went around Johnson. He like, he didn't close his hand on the puck,

but he went on his hand, puck dropped down, went around Johnson. And that absolutely deeped Gerard and Bia Grubauer to the backhand. It was just a vintage Crosby goal. He's done that kind of move so many times. about his career. You know, it's just, it's amazing how he keeps doing this as he gets older. He's so good. And his celebration afterwards, he just looked at his teammates like, yep, I did that.

He just, like, I did that again because I'm arguably the best player in the world. I know Connor McDavid is off to a ridiculous star. I thought he had 17 points in seven games. Crosby, though, not far behind him. They're both off to Red Hot Stars showing why they are the two best players in the league. But yeah, Crosby, I mean, it's, it's, it's just insane how he keeps doing this. And then on the Gensel goal, he had that gorgeous feed to Jake. And Jake just roofed it past Grubauer. It takes a lot of skill to roof that puck the way he did, considering it was right on his backhand,

then he got it to his forehand. And he didn't have a lot of space to roof that puck bar down, but he did. That's a goal scorer's goal. And folks, I think we might need to start thinking about potentially 45 to 50 goals for Jake Gensel this year. He's already closing in on 10. We're not even 10 games into the season. There is a, because he had 40 last year, there is an outside chance that I think, folks, that he might get 50 this year. It would not surprise me. This kid is freakishly good. And yeah, it was just, it was, it was, he was, it was, it was a great goal to see.

And then for Colorado side, Nathan McKinnon, I know he got hurt on that Hornquist hip check. It looked a little dirty at the first time I saw, but then they showed a replay a few times. I think it was a textbook tip check, in my opinion. I don't think really Hornquist wasn't trying to do anything malicious on there. Patrick Hornquist has never really been known as a dirty player anyway, even though he goes to the net a lot and causes chaos. He's not a dirty player. He doesn't do anything like Tom Wilson has done in his career.

Brad Marshawn, Milan Lucchich, just those kind of players. So I saw McKinnon was later in, but he did have that awesome goal. or that Ranton passed right to McKinney roofed it past Matt Murray. That was a bad play by Juvalin on that part. Juvalin did not have a good game. Really poor game by him had a couple bad turnovers. Was guilty of a penalty in the third period. Yeah, just not the vintage Brian Dumlin game that we're used to seeing,

but he'll bounce back. It's Brian Dumlin. Crystal Tang, I thought, was he also had a couple of turnovers, which I didn't really like. I don't really like the way he played the Rantinan two-on-one with McKinnon. I would have honestly forced Rantan to go outside a little bit because he gave the pass wide open to McKinney. He just gave in the middle of the ice almost.

If I were Lattang, I would have played that differently. I'm sure in the future he probably will. I mean, he's a quick learner. He's not, it's fine, I guess. There was one play with Latang, and it was in the overtime. the ref called the hybrid icing I still hate hybrid icing at times and that was one of the times

Latang beat the Colorado Lynch player to the puck and they called icing and I mean the crowd booed because of course they booed I mean it's in Pittsburgh but I even saw the replay of that and I was like um what I didn't really understand that but you know that's NHL officiating for you

you know they do that kind of stuff it saw those little calls I did feel bad also about the linesman that went down he took a little tumble. Looks like someone, look, he went down really quick. I don't know if it was a bad ice.

The ref didn't get hit or anything. I think he just stumbled on the ice and he hit his head on the boards and he did not return to the game so that there had to be only two refs, I think, and one linesman for the rest of the game. So that was unfortunate to see. I think it was Michelle Sherrod, I think,

is his name. I'd have to go back and check. But I'm glad it was announced on the broadcast by Doc Demrick that he's doing well. They just didn't want to bring him in because of a precaution. So yeah, just all in all

a really good win. Of course, the overtime game winning goals, so the game ended up going on overtime and the Penguins went down shorthanded because Brian Jimlin, he was mouthing off to the rap saying, oh, that wasn't a slash cut. I even read his lips.

He was like, come the hell on. And it was a slash. That was a textbook slash. I know Latang had gripes on those icing. That was not icing. But at Dumo, that was a slash, man. So the Avalanche run on the power play, it was not looking like a good power play first. And then all of a sudden, Brandon Tanna comes up the ice two on two, goes around the defender,

just puts, you know, just the old hockey cliche, put the puck on the net. And it bounces off Gabriel Landis Skog's stick and in the net before he could corral it back. in. That's how Brandon Taneb gets his first NH goal as a penguin. Wow, he really celebrated it. It looks like, you know, that celebration was like he sent the penguins to the Stanley Cup final or something because it was awesome to see.

It was awesome to see the crowd behind him, like, just jump up and celebrate. They were into the game all night. Stop doing the wave, people. Like, enough. Enough with the wave. Like, it is a bad thing. It is stupid. Almost every team that does the wave, your team loses.

I also get that from the nationals Because whenever the nationals make fun of it The nationals always win But anyways Brandon Tenev also stopped me if you've heard this before Brandon Tanev drew another penalty He's on pace so I think what Break the record for most strong penalties

In a single season Wouldn't be surprised me if he did Well probably not It'll come down at some point But Brandon Tanev just another great game from him He's been one of their best players through seven years games and yeah I mean that was a I know it was a fluky balance but you know what you'll take that when you're down five of your top nine forward Jared McCann of course when I thought you know 95%

chance that he would play because usually Sullivan when Sullivan says there really game time decision he plays of course the 5% chance that he did not play Sullivan still said that McCann is a game time decision tonight against the Dallas stars we'll see this time I'm not going to make any estimates though he did practice in full capacity so I maybe I'm not I'm not I'm going to say anything this time. I won't say anything. But yeah, just a great win by the Penguins. That's a really good Colorado team they beat.

One of probably the teams in the West that definitely could win the West. And they did a really good job on their top line defensively, besides two little bad broken down plays on Calver and McKinnon and Ranting. Just a really nice game by the Penguins. I don't think a lot of people gave them a shot to win that game since they were down five forwards. But to get to five and two the way that they're playing right now, it's great stuff, especially with how Sidney. Crosby is carrying the team and Matt Murray also enjoyed really another stellar

routing on those two goals he gave up he had no chance on but another stellar routing and yeah just a great win going into now tonight against the Dallas Stars all right so how about some more vivid seats for you all 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 Seeds Loyalty Program. Vivid Seats helps fans find their seats to any of their favorite live events, including sports, concerts,

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it's a 7 o'clock game against the Dallas Stars and yeah the Dallas Stars this year they have especially coming off a second round playoff exit to the same loose loose they're actually up I believe three yeah they're up three games two in that series they almost bleat the Blues they were off to a one in six

and one start this season just not good enough from the stars at all. I don't know what's going on down there. I'd have to see if Ben Bishop is not doing good. And especially it doesn't help when your last two losses. They've been outscored seven to in the last two games, four-nothing lost to Buffalo on Monday, who's been red-hot to start the season.

I did not expect to see that. And then they also lost to Columbus, who's not been as good this year. then they also have a back-to-back starting after they play Pittsburgh of course tonight they'll go to Philadelphia to conclude this four-game road trip last season the stars they were big on goaltending

Ben Bishop was one of the best goaltenders in hockey last season I think he had a very strong case to win the Vezna he honestly should have won it this season though not been good one in four and one he's got given up 17 goals 899 say a percentage but Anton Houdobin is also 0-2 he has an 8-6

77, say percentage so through eight games they're getting sub-900 goal tending. You can't win many games with that. Rupa Hintz, he's been their best players so far, five points and eight games. Four of those are goals. Always have to be aware of Tyler Sagan. He can score well. He's one of the best players underrated, most, actually most underrated players in hockey. He has four points.

Miro Heiskin, he's going to be one of the best defensemen in the league in a few years. He already has four points, eight games. They still have Alexander Radjulov. They also have Joe Podowski. signed Pavelsky the offseason to replace Zuccarello because Zucrororo went to the wild. He only has two points

in eight games. And same goes for Jamie Ben, who won the Art Ross just a few years ago. And he's also, yeah, just a lot of their players are off to really slow starts as the big theme for the stars. And they're also, if I'm not mistaken,

are they still putting Essa Lindell on the top pairing with John Klingberg? Because if that is so, I feel very, very bad for John Klingberg. One of the best defensemen in the league, he does not get nearly enough credit that he deserves as one of the best defensemen in the league. He gets overlooked a lot of times.

He could honestly, you could have made the case that he should have won the Vesna last season. The Vesna, of course, not the Vesna. The Norris Trophy, I don't know why. Of course, when I say Vezna, had Ben Bishop in my mind. But of course, like I said, he could have had a strong case to win the Norris.

A lot of their players are just off to really, really slow starts, and of course my text tone goes off, whatever. But this is a team still with a lot of high-end talent. Like I said, Sagan, Heisksman, Radialov. The Velsky Ben. Rodic Fox is still there. They signed Andres Sakura in the offseason. Cogliano is still there.

They also signed Corey Perry in the offseason, but he's only played one game this year. It looks like he's been a scratch from most of the games. Blake Como is still there. For some reason, they're still icing Roman Polack. If he's still getting top four minutes, which I think he might be, if I have to look up their line combinations here, that would be a big yikes in the chat.

Let me just make sure here that he's not getting. Is he getting? Okay, okay, so he doesn't look at he's in their top six right now. So it looks like Alexiak, so former Peng with Jamie Alexiak is on the bottom hearing with Fadun. Heiskenen is with Sakura, they are actually still putting S. Lendell with John Klingberg, which I don't understand why. Just put Heisken in with Klingberg, in my opinion.

Pavalski is on their third line, it looks like, this season at times. But their big line, they have still Jason Dickinson. Interesting why they don't have him on the second line. I'm looking at their Daily Faceoff.com, which was last updated today. So I'm kind of confused as to why Dickinson was with Sagan and Radjolov. not Jamie Ben, but yeah, this is their power play unit. They can throw a lot of talent, so the Penguins penalty killers got to beware of that,

Pavelski, Ben, Rajlov Sagan, Klingberg. That has the ability to be one of the best powerfly units in the league. For the Penguins tonight, Matt Murray is going to get the star, which is interesting to me. I'm definitely a bit, what's the word I'm looking for? I was surprised that he was going to start to considering that the Vegas goal nights are coming tomorrow. but I do have a question though

Are the Vegas Golden Knights playing tonight? That might be a reason why No, no, no, so they do not. So Florey is going to start tomorrow night Since we're not playing tonight But we'll see if Tristan Jari goes tomorrow night For the Penguins, I imagine he would Considering it's a back-to-back

But they also could throw Maria out back there If the Penguins win tonight And he doesn't see a lot of action. But this is a game that the Penguins should win But still beware The stars have a lot of talents very early in the season. I know they've lost 7 of 8, but still a lot of talent bail on that team. Ben Bishop can have a good game in any minute.

So he's a big goal tender. There's not a lot of places where you can honestly score on him, so you're just going to have to fire a lot of pucks on him. But, yeah, this will be a big opportunity for the Penguins to try to get to 6 and 2 before a big showdown against the Golden Knights, who are 5 and 3 going into the game tomorrow night. get to that in a second. But yeah, this should be a very, this should be a good game for the Penguins. They got to, you know, make sure they're still good defensively, keep playing in the way they

played hush against Colorado, minus the couple of mishaps or turnovers that they had during that game where McKinnon and Calvert made them pay, of course. All right. So the Penguins, like I said, they'll be playing the Vegas goal nights tomorrow night at home, which will conclude their three game, home stand before they go on the road for a few games. I believe, yeah, they'll be. The two Florida teams next week. They play Florida, the Panthers, and the Lightning. The Lightning game will be on Wednesday night of hockey, as I said, on one of the last episodes.

And then they will also be playing the stars, though. Yeah, of course, we'll be playing the Stars in another week down in Dallas, Texas. Maybe my uncle will go to that game. He's not far outside of Dallas. So I'll have to tell him that the penguins are coming to Dallas next weekend. But for this game with the Vegas Golden Knights, this is one of the shortlist teams on the West that I think can win the West. They're so good.

They're so deep at forward. Their defense is still good. Mark Andre Fleury is still good. You have to be wary, of course, his playoff history. But the Vegas has the luxury of running out two first lines. There are not a lot of teams in this league that have the luxury of rolling out like two lines

that would be a first line on like probably 20 NHL teams, maybe even more than that. But Vegas can do that. So here. their first line that they'll roll out. Jonathan Marchesau, William Carlson, Riley Smith. So if you don't think that lie, it doesn't stop there, though.

Max Petruetti, Paul Stasney, Mark Stone. That is just, that is one, that's not fair. Two, that's utterly disgusting. And three, it's like, I don't know how you, like, see teams will game plan for that. Like, I mean, Daily FaceTime has their second line range as the top second line in all the hockey. They have the first line range as the number 17th first line.

but honestly, I'd probably put it in my top five to top ten. But the fact that you can ice Mark Stone on your second line, who's one of the best wingers and one of the best players in the league, is nothing short of remarkable. Stone, of course, acquired from the senators, signed that massive, a long-term extension. Playing next to Pacturedi, who started out slowly for them last year,

but then picked it up. Paul Stasney, he's still good. William Carlson had a bit of a little letdown of the year last season, but, of course, you know, it's hard to recoup that shoot. percentage that he had that year prior where it was like, what was it, 16% or something like that? And he scored over 40. On Riley Smith and Jonathan Marches-so, they're still

putting up numbers like no tomorrow. Their bottom six is still, it's still, well, their fourth line, I don't really like their fourth line, but still Cody Glass. Cody Eakin, Brandon Peary. It's about time Brandon Peiry is actually getting NHL minutes. I don't know why he has been up and down 3H on the NHL.

He's put up good NHL numbers throughout his career. So it's kind of weird to see why some teams are not like just keeping him there. I don't know why he keeps getting sent down. So he should be a regular. And then their fourth line, William Carrier, Thomas Nosek, and former Penguin Ryan Reeves, who they traded for a first-round pick for him

a couple years ago before dealing him in the Brassard trade. I still would never understand that trade. Other defense, Shea Theodore is awesome. He's really coming into his own. Braden McNabb is on the top pairing. Nick Holden, John Merrill. John Merrill's not bad. Derek and Gland is still there. And Nicholas Hogg, it looks like,

Nate Schmidt is out for this game. So he's hurt. And then, of course, Mark Andre Fleury will likely be a net as he makes another return to the Pittsburgh Penguins. So that'll be a lot of fun to watch. Flurry come back. Of course, a lot of people will be seeing, I'm sure a lot of fans will be bringing signs to see him.

Mark Andi Fleury is one of this generation's favorite players. well, a lot of fans' generations' favorite players, I should say. So, yeah, hopefully we'll maybe get Murray versus Lurie tomorrow. I think it's long overdue. I don't think it was, was it Murray versus Florey?

No, no. I think when it was this year, last year in Pittsburgh, I think it was Suban versus Murray, Malcolm Suban, of course, and the year before, it was Flurry versus, I think it was,

I don't know if we had Floree versus Murray that year, but I think we had Florida versus Murray in Vegas. Yeah, we've had it in Vegas. I don't know if we've had any Piss where I'll have to double check. But yeah, this is a big opportunity for the Penguins to potentially get another, sweep another back-to-back. They did sweep a back-to-back of course last weekend with the Pek Jets and the Minnesota Wilde on the road. This time they'll get a back-to-back at home before another back-to-back comes, like I said, this coming week when they play the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And Tristan Jari will get one star for that. I imagine it'll be against the Panthers. And then Matt Murray, I'm sure, we'll get the start against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Uh, yeah, that will do it, I think, for this episode. Of course, follow my Twitter at Hunter Hodes for my live tweets and my thoughts during the game. Also, LO underscore Penguins, I know I didn't have my live thoughts for the game last time. I apologize for that. I'm going to try to get to that tonight. But thank you guys so much for listening.

We'll be back with episodes starting on Monday. I guess I didn't know, actually, that you're not supposed to do episodes on weekends. I don't think, I guess, because of the ads and all that. Sorry, I didn't get a couple episodes this week. But I will be doing a full week next week and moving forward. So you have all that. That look to look forward to. And yeah, let's go, Penn.

Hopefully they'll get a couple wins this weekend. And we'll dissect it all and discuss it all on Monday. All right. Take care, everyone.