Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Locked On Penguins 11/21- Those Damn Islanders Plus Relaaaaaaaax Everyone

Episode Date: November 22, 2019

In this episode of Locked On Penguins, Hunter dives into the Penguins two losses against the New York Islanders, notably the one tonight. He talks about how bad the officiating was, how Matt Murray may need a rest, and sums up his thoughts about the team as a whole despite some hot takes being out there. 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 everyone and welcome to this Thursday night edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host Hunter Hodes. Follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show on Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. And a tough couple games here for the Penguins, folks. Yeah, the first game, they had it, 4-2. Of course, they gave up two goals in the final four and a half minutes to go to overtime and eventually lost in overtime. Then tonight had 1-0 lead, 2-1 leads.

They came back from behind 3-2 to tie it. 3-3 to go to overtime, then allow to a goal in the final minute of overtime. 4-3, they get swept in the home-and-home. They get 2 out of 4 points. But, man, these games are definitely there for the taking for the Penguins, and they both could have won both of those games. The Islanders, man, they are just an annoying, stingy team. I still know what's going on up there.

Barry Trots has a deal with the devil, I think. It's got to be something like that. I don't know how a team is on that 16-0 and 1 kind of run, but, you know, they are him, you know, kudos to them. They're playing outstanding hockey. To get to, I guess we'll recap the game tonight, because we already know, of course, what happened in the Tuesday night game.

How the Paine was looked really good. They got out early 1-0-0 league, gorgeous pass from Jake Gensel to Gensel to get him. You couldn't describe, you couldn't see a better pass than what Jake gave to Malkin, and Malkin Barry to pass Thomas Grice. Yes, he was the one that, of course, obviously started a net, since they did not go with Semyon Barlamo

who gave up four goals in the last game. And then the Islanders, they tie it off a bounce from Zach Aston Reese's skate. 1-1. 2-1. Brian Russ continues his another awesome hot streak. He just can't be stopped right now. He almost had a third goal, too. A 2-2, the Islanders tie it up off of a, just another weird goal, bouncing off of the player's leg right to a stick and an empty net, basically half-empty net.

Then the Islanders take a lead late in the third period, less than five minutes left, a 3-2 on the power play. And then, of course, the Penguins tied at 30 seconds left. Patrick Hornquist with a goal in his return. It looked like it was Brian Russ at first. He's still playing outstanding. And then, of course, the Islanders won in an overtime with Brock Nelson getting a second in the game. All right. So overall thoughts.

Before we get into the Penguins, I just want to say the officiating in that game was absolute crap. But, you know, that's par for the course for the NHL. You know, there's no conspiracy here. Oh, my God, the League is against the Penguins. The League favors the Penguins as some other rival fans. have argued many times in the past. There's no conspiracy against a team. There's no, oh, the league loves a team, blah, blah, blah, blah.

No, no. The league has just awful officiating. I don't think it's as bad as the NFL. I mean, it's probably close, but I think the NFL takes the cake, especially with pass interference calls, MLB with umpires. I don't watch enough NBA to talk about that.

But the officiating has got to change. Seven power penalties the Penguins took. And some of them were actually legit. But a couple of them, I mean, Jake Gensel, this was for the tying goal, the Penguins are up 2-1, four-minute penalty for Gensel, the first one was fine, and then he got an unsportsmanlike conduct for trying to explain to the rep that he didn't do anything. And it's like, you know what, man, like, if you're really going to be that soft with calling a penalty,

and you really don't see an official give a player a double minor for unsports-file conduct on top of another minor, very often. And it's like, come on, man, I mean, if you're really going to do that and set that kind of standard, call it like that league-wide for every single player that tries to mouth off back to you I don't really understand that and then the face-off one

I saw you know shout out to Adam Grets who tweeted it it's like you know what the linesmen drop the puck I hate linesmen that do that no one is there to see you everyone just wants you to drop the puck you don't need to fake it and you try to get them to do anything you don't need to fake it again like he did drop the freaking puck and let's get on with the game

and you know what he didn't end and they tossed Teddy Bluger for violating a face. I have not seen that penalty called almost at all this season. And then, you know, Sam Lafferty, and of course, and Sam Lafferty with that bad trip late in the third period, that was actually a good call. But overall, the officiating, you know, that's just garbage. There's really no excuse for that and some of the penalties that they called.

Really ticky-tacky. There was a call late in the game where they should have been called Anders-Lee with about 218 left, absolutely boarded Brandon Tanna no call. I'm like, you're not going to call that, but you're going to call someone on a face-off violation, and you're going to call an unsports on conduct for a player telling you that you made a bad call. Okay, I mean, if that's

the standard you want to set, then you know what? More power to you, but no one is there to watch you call all these penalties. Everyone's there to actually watch the game. And, yeah, I just wanted to get that off my chest. That's just really frustrating to watch that happen. but also for the game

I really just think it's like man this team has got to win a face off in a key moment I mean it's ridiculous that first Islander goal face off lost puck goes off Astin Reese goal I mean I know bad balance win a face off

second goal lose the face off goal third one was actually right off the draw at the end of the third period lose the face off goal it's like even the other night against the islanders in the final five minutes

minutes where the penguins should have iced the game. It's not very often that you see the penguins blow a two-goal lead with less than five minutes remaining. I have not seen them do that very often under Mike Sullivan. But yeah, it happened, obviously, and the Penguins that night, too. Could not win a face-off. Same thing in the overtime. It's just, it's a thing they need to fix.

I know they're without Nick Bustad and Sidney Crosby, so that does hamper things a little bit. But you know what? Guys got to step in. Just win a draw. Win a key draw. Like, I mean, come on, fellas. Like that's, I think, the big one. And I know everyone's going to be talking about the three-on-three struggles, and they are real.

I'm watching, I mean, the last game overtime, that was inexcusable to watch. They needed some horrible decisions, changes. Justin Schultz looked lost before he went down with an injury, but before he now was out longer term with an injury with three awful passes. Tonight, the Penguins were just, they were being safe. They, like, they didn't really know what they were doing. And, I mean, Sullivan probably isn't too pleased with that. And, of course, the overtime goal, you know,

Marcus Pedersen, you got to play better defense than on Brock, freaking Nelson. He got walked by that guy. And kudos to Brock Nelson. Really nice move. Had a really good game. But, I mean, Pedersen, the way he's played, should not get walked like that, I would say. But, yeah, that was just, I mean, great that the Penguins fought back to get a point. I really like the way that they're playing.

The reality is, guys, they're down. Sidney Crosby, Chris Lettang. I think Lettang is getting closer to his return. They're down both those guys. Nick Bukstad is now out eight weeks with a sports hernia. Justin Schultz is out longer term. You have four regulars in the lineup. And I know Patrick Horkwis came back.

He had a really nice game. And he'd been playing really well before he went down and missed the last seven games. But when two of your three best players are out with an injury, it's hard to beat a team as good as the Islanders are. You got two out of four points. That's very good. You're staying afloat in the standings. I know we would have rather had taken probably three out of the four points. They should have three out of the four points because they should have closed that game out.

in Pittsburgh, but good thing is now you don't see this team until March. That's the best part of that. You can see what they do now when they don't have to play you guys. But man, it's just a little frustrating. But yeah, yeah. Also, guys, don't forget. Treat yourself to the meal that you deserve. Have your favorite restaurants come to you with DoorDash.

Right now, guys, you can get $5 off your first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDish app and enter promo code locked on. Of course, that's DoorDash. Listening on the go, if you can't visit DoorDash right now, you can find this in all other offers from Lockedon sponsors at Lockedon Podcast.com slash offers. So, okay, I just want to remind you guys, I will be at the game tomorrow.

I'm going to try to have a podcast up after I get to Pittsburgh, but I will bring my two-game winning streak to PBG Paints Arena. I started out 0-2 at Penguins games. I'm two-in-two now, so hopefully the Penguins can get a win over the Devils. The Devils have been ready bad this year, but we all know the Penguins struggles against the Devils. But going back to the game, Matt Murray, let's bring him up. All right, man, there have been some hot takes after this game about the Penguin starting netminder.

Yeah, it's jury time. He needs to be the starter. And while I do agree that Trishandari does need more starts, he has earned them. There is no goalie controversy. Let's just get right to it. That goal that Murray allowed was a howler. That was a stinker. It was bad.

It was garbage. It was whatever you want to call it. Any word in the dictionary that is big. basically means bad, it was. Because I know Patterson got beat, but it looked like Brock Nelson really wasn't going to be doing anything like that shot. He didn't look like he could roof it or even get elevated. So I don't know why Murray was out so far in his crease.

Other than that, he had a strong game. Made some really, really timely saves for the Penguins when he needed them. Especially on all the under power plays. He had some big saves. Big save on Brock Nelson towards the end of the period before the Penguins tied it on a breakaway. Just a great save. He was trying to go five whole, of course, on Murray. And then, yeah, I know the couple of goals before that, I really wouldn't blame him.

First one, like I said, was just the deflection of Austin Reese. It looked like he was screened anyway. He didn't even react to it. He was screened. Second one, just a bad, just another weird bounce. I don't just get all right getting all the bounces right now, especially with their play. You're going to get lucky bounces, and that's what they got. Murray had no chance.

Third goal. just a nice shot to the short side. This was not a glove side goal, but just a really nice shot, a short side. It was a laser beam, and I mean a laser beam to that side. So nothing really do. You could fault Murray on those three goals. And like I said, yes, the fourth goal was bad.

And even last game, we didn't get really talked about it on the podcast since I didn't do it yesterday. Unfortunately, those five goals that he'll out, I wouldn't even pin on him. They were just, you know, really, some of them were, like I said, some balances, some really nice shots. The third goal with 419 left was, there were four penguin players around the Islanders, and the penguins were playing so bad defensively. So I didn't really understand that either. But he'll be fine. I do think, hopefully, they don't overwork him.

I know, I can kind of see what they're doing with him. They're trying to get him as many starts as he can so we can get that nice little cash, like $6 million per, maybe even more. But, you know, I do think it is time to get Tristan Jari more starts. He is going to start tomorrow night. That is Tristan Jari. You're not going to play Matt Murray back to back, especially with how Jari has been playing for this game. And I tweeted during the game, you know, all these Penguin Islander games lately,

it's, you know, I made an interesting comparison. I got a couple people liked it. You know, Penguins Islanders is like Batman and the Joker. You and I, of course, you have the Joker, Heath Ledger, rest in peace, awesome, one of the best act. One of the best. Just an awesome actor. He was incredible in the movie playing the Joker.

You and I are destined to do this forever. And, you know, what, they basically are? That's three games this year where overtime games, they're extremely tight. And let's not get this wrong. The Penguins were embarrassed in April by this team. They looked out of sorts. They played very bad. It has not been the case this year.

All three of these games, the Penguins could have won. And I know they won one of them. They lost two in overtime. But all three of these games that you could, The Penguins definitely could have won all three. And the Islanders also could have won all three. That's how close this season series has been. These teams play each other very tight.

I would have liked to see, would have loved to see this home and home if Chris LaTang and Sidney Crosby and Justin Chultz were healthy. Maybe Nick Bukstad. I'm a fully healthy Penguins team. I would have really enjoyed that just to see how they would play against them. But I'm glad overall, you know, I think going back to Matt Murray a little bit, I do think he does need to get a little bit of rest.

I just don't want them to overwork him. You know, with how Jari's playing, guys, I know short sample sizes, but, you know, four of his five starts, you know, 920, 930 or better. Give Murray some time off. You don't need him having 70 starts, 65, 70 stars. 60 is probably fine, like anywhere, maybe even a little below. Get the backup goaltender some starts. I still think that Marie is going to be fine, but like I said, I just don't want him overworked. That is the big thing.

There's a really good account on Twitter called... Actually, I think it, I'm trying to find it. Hang on. Penguin's Facebook takes. This is probably one of my favorite accounts on this website because after every loss or during the game, he'll just tweet out like people, Facebook comments. One guy basically said, yep,

he's very as a giant waste of his face. I mean, you could put a stuffed animal in net that would do better. All right. It is a little funny, but geez, man, there's just a lot of hot takes. Here we go. Someone said he's on pace for his 800-sat percentage in three-plus goals a game. Sad that Crosby's last few years left is wasted with Maria Nett.

No chance of winning anything. The whole league knows his weakness. What's his weakness? I would love to know what his weakness are because, you know, these people obviously can't evaluate goaltending. I don't think a lot of people know how to evaluate goaltenders. It's actually pretty funny to see what some of these people have to say. But, you know, I always, you know, when the Penguins ever lose a game and, you know, it's good.

It's always funny to go to that account and read with some of these Penguins' Facebook commenters, right? Because there are a lot of people in that section that really do not know a lot about the sport and just, like, goaltending, just whatever. And I do know Mikey and Bob on the 96-1 Kiss Morning Fees show, they do a whole segment where they'll read Facebook comments. I mean, I'm not going to, you know, go here and steal that idea because, I'm not like that, but I mean, they just do it so well, too. But I just wanted to add that a little bit to the show. It's okay to relax, everyone. They are down many injured players.

I still think Gino's working his way back. I thought he looked okay again. You know, you take one of the best teams in the league to overtime two games in a row. You should have had at least three out of four points. I'm happy with two. You're still getting some points. But as soon and later, you're going to have to start winning some games. I know you crushed Toronto.

I know it's a couple of year in the league. But now you play the day. Devils tomorrow night. And, you know, I mean, other than me being there, that's a team you should beat. The Devils are very, very bad. You know, they're probably going to start McKenzie Blackwood. Yeah, I mean, he is going to be their starting goaltender now that Corey Schneider is down in the minor leagues. And, yeah, it's just, I think, like, the Penguins, this is where I know you're down a lot of injured players, but let's get some results.

Let's keep trying to bank some points. And hopefully, you know, the more the merry, hopefully that helps when Crystal Tang comes backwood. and hopefully he'll start practicing with the team soon as well. All right, so for this last segment, I figured I'd do something a little different. I'm going to talk about what's coming tomorrow. I'm really excited to get back to PPG. It's been probably two years since I've been there. Last game I saw there, they were down 3-0 of the Sabres.

A lot of Buffalo Sabres fans made the drive for that game. Came back, tied at 3-3, and then won the game with about less than three minutes left, 4-3. I think that was a Connor Sherry goal. That was the year they went back-to-back. one fourth, won the game. That was a lot of fun. And, of course, I saw them beat the Capitals last year at the Verizon's Capital One Arena.

I keep forgetting that they changed it from the Verizon Center to Capital One Arena. What am I looking forward to? Maybe I'm hoping that they changed a little bit of the concessions a little bit. Last time I was there, I wasn't really too impressed with what they had. Hopefully they made some changes. I'm hoping the food, though, is also not as expensive. as Nationals Park. National's Park for baseball. I know two different sports, but oh my goodness, just to get a burger, fries, a drink, it's basically like $25 or somewhere around there. And it's like,

oh my God. Like, forget that buying the tickets, just the food there is ridiculous. But I'm going with my grandpa because I have my one tickets from sheets. I figured I'd go. You know, that does me not have to miss the Virginia Tech game, but you know what? Who cares? I mean, I do a little bit, but I do have two other tickets I may need to sell, but I think that might be in the process. But to get back to some hockey talk, the devils, like I said, you know, I've said it a lot of times. This is a game that the Penguins should win.

I don't know why the Penguin struggles so much against New Jersey. Taylor Hall has not been as good as normal this year. I know he has 17 points in 20 games, but only two goals on the season. And, you know, he's been known for, you know, being a 30 goal scorer. And, you know, I mean, just being one of the best players. in the league. I know he was injured a lot last season, but still, this is one of the best players in the league. You got him for an absolute

steal that I still do not know how they got in for Adam Larson. Rest in peace, rest in piss forever, Peter Shirelli, because I don't think he'll ever be a general manager in the league again after that trade. Of course, you know, Kyle Paul Mary, Nico Heeshier, Jack Hughes.

Last time the Penguins played them, we talked about that earlier this week on the podcast, you know, they all shot them 39-22. They outplayed them the whole game. The only reason why they lost was because McKenzie Blackwood. Stone them and Matt Murray also had a little couple stinker goals that he would want back, especially the second one, where the puck was just sitting in the blue pain after he saved it, and then the devil's, they just whacked it in, and the Penguins could

not overcome the two-gold deficit, even though they did have a goal from Jack Johnson that game is first of the season. And speaking of Jack Johnson, I did not know that he's actually been a lot better than we may have fought this season. I was reading Dom, who writes for the athletic, one of the best. Dom, I'm not even going to begin to pronounce his last name, L-U-S-Z-Y-Z-Y-Z-Y, I can't even, Lucid, I can't pronounce it, but great writer. Apparently, Jack Johnson, you know, they put him in a shelter role this season,

and Dom apparently, in his article, the Penguins have a 55% expected goals rate and a 55% actual goals rate when Jack Johnson is on the ice. That means, you know, the 55% of the expected goals rate come when he's on the ice and the actual goals come when he's on the ice. And, you know, you can attribute a lot of that to what downside of the article. They're sheltering him this year. That's, you know, he can actually tread water a little bit and not suck as bad as normal last year where Mike Sullivan for some reason put him in the top four with Justin Schultz.

That was a disaster. Now that he's playing with John Reno, who continues to get better and better, another outstanding game for Marino tonight against the Islanders and the night before against Ianders. He just gets better and better and better every game. It's such a treat to watch him because he's the kind of player that the Penguin should be going after. Every time, especially with their cap situation, how much their core players take up their cap. You need those kind of, you know, those depth players not making a lot of money to play that good. and just find them and sign them.

And in this case, trade for them. Because I don't know what Edmonton missed in him, but he's been outstanding. But going back to Jack Johnson, I know, like I said, I mean, you know, we've all dumped on him many times and rightfully so. He's not been good. But I did not expect for him to be doing actually, you know, not as bad as we may be have thought. And, you know, I thought for tonight, didn't really see too many mistakes from him.

I'm not really, but it looks like, you know, his underlying numbers have somehow improved. this season. And funny enough, of course, when they trade Eric Cabranson, his underlying numbers go down the tank because he's with the ducks. And I think he's at below 45, 43% possession-wise. But I want to throw that stat out there. Because, of course, Johnson's playing the bottom pairing with Marino and Rico. I think Johnson wants to play a little bit of the top four now with Justin Schultz out.

But hopefully when Chris Lattang comes back, which will hopefully, I say that word again, within a week, maybe a week and a half, Johnson then can slide down to the third pairing. And also tonight, I did not know that this was Chad Rueh Ruehiel's first game of the season. Man, that poor guy, he signs these little cheat deals of the Penguins to be their number eight defensemen, and he only gets his first game in 25 games in the season. I thought he would have had a game by now. Definitely did not know that. As they scratched, Yuso Rikala, and they put Zach Trotman in. I was a little surprised to see that. I did not expect to see Zach Trotman in the lineup of Riegel, because I thought Rikola was doing not too bad. But that's all for this

episode of Locked on Penguins. I'll try to have an episode either before the game tomorrow or definitely after the game. You can recap how the game went. What my thoughts were being at the arena, you know, walking around, you know, what I saw. Maybe some funny jerseys. Maybe I'll see like a Bo Bennett jersey or a Sergei Plotnikov jersey, some weird jersey. I just want to see one. That's really funny.

But yeah, guys, thank you guys so much for watching. I'm watching. Thank you guys so much for listening. And we'll talk to you all soon.