Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Locked On Penguins 1/13- Weekend Recap, Plus Brandon Tanev and John Marino being studs, and ZUCKER WATCH TIME.

Episode Date: January 13, 2020

In this episode of Locked On Penguins. Hunter recaps the successful weekend for the Penguins by finishing off their road trip in style. He offers his thoughts on the play of Brandon Tanev and the whole fourth line, John Marino, Kris Letang, plus hints at how truly good this team is. 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 good evening. Well, good afternoon and good evening. Welcome to this latest edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast for today, Monday. January 13th, I'm, of course, your host, Hunter Hodes. Follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show on Twitter at LO underscore Penguins. And wow, guys, I've honestly just run out of words to describe the Penguins play as of late because this is just, I wrote today for last word on hockey for probably the first time in a while.

Now, this is the makings of something very, very, very special. And the way that they performed against that whole road trip, even after the Vegas game, where they were outplayed, they found the way to win. They beat Colorado and overtime. And then, of course, they beat the coyotes in a shootout. This is, I don't know how this is going to end, but I'm getting a lot of 2016 vibes right now.

And they're just, they don't go away. There's something different about this team that just compares to the 2016 team, even maybe the 2017 team. They're only going to keep getting better from here as they get more of their injured players back. I think Cindy Rosby is officially coming back on Tuesday. They held him out, of course, against the game in Arizona, even though he probably could have played, I think. But, you know, they're right the rolling, you know, maybe get him another practice day and another morning skate. And hopefully he'll be good to go on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. and also I am of course on hashtag Jason Zucker Watch.

I hope the penguins are able to potentially swing a deal. Michael Russo of the Athletic, who covers the Minnesota Wild. Talked about last week about how the penguins are still a bit interested in Jason Zucker, even after the Phil Castle Street obviously fell through and they had to deal them to Arizona. But let's just know, we'll recap the weekend a little bit, talk about the team. Of course, they won the game against Colorado. Matt Murray started that game. know, I thought for most, the most of that game, he was very, very, very, very good.

I know, guys, he had, you know, he had the hiccup that he had, allowing that second goal. That goal was more bad luck than anything. That puck took a weird bounce. The puck bounces like that sometimes. Darren of Penguin's Twitter, I need to find his at real quick. So I can shout him out. I can. I don't know why it's not. Maybe I have to go back through my Twitter notifications here.

I can't believe I'm doing it. Here it is. D underscore Nasty O2, Darren. He tweeted a couple links to other goals. He's allowed this kind of goal. Marty Broder allowed this kind of goal. I think it was in the Stanley Cup final against the Genaheim Ducks. I've seen Steve Mason allow a goal like that. Almost every goal, you know, Henrik Bonquist,

you know, Mark Andre Florees allowed his fair share, really bad goals. every goalie allows this kind of goal and I don't really think he could have played it any I guess different maybe he could have came out a little bit and grabbed it but still that was a weird balance but other than that I thought Matt Murray was flawless that whole game

he's really starting to find his game now overall in this game Murray was at a 903 Sabre percentage but still other than that goal he only gave up two goals on 30 shots which is not very very good The first and the third goals, he really had no chance on the first goal, of course, coming from Nathan McKinnon, Rocket from the left side. Watching Nathan McKinnon that entire game, folks, wow.

Top five player in the league, he's probably right behind Crosby and McDavid when they're fully healthy as one of the best all-round players in the league because he just takes your breath away every time you watch him. He has lightning quick speed. Every time he was coming up the ice, I mean, he burned Jack Johnson. I won so bad at him in that game. I was like, whoof. He's something else. He looked at he was on pace to have like 15 shots or something.

But, yeah, Nathan McKinnon, just a stud. I love watching it. I would take, sign me up for seven games of Penguins avalanche, folks, because that was, that is a fun team to watch. They're a damn good team. And I think, hopefully they know they don't fall out of the playoff race. I know they've been slumping a little bit lately, but still, that was such a fun game to watch. The third goal, though, just a seeing eye goal from Cal McCar.

I think it was deflected, though. Murray really had no chance on that, but still, he was the only real reason that it was basically two-one after two periods. It could have been a lot worse, even though he gave up that bad luck goal. It could have been way worse, and he was just square to shooters all night. He was playing big in his net. He was playing like the Matt Murray that we know that he can play like. And, you know, that's three starts in a row now where Matt Murray has, you know, looked like Matt Murray. And this is a big development.

I was a little surprised they gave him that start. But you know what? That's Mike Sullivan showing that, you know, you can – I mean, that's just Mike Sullivan showing that he has faith in him. And I think that faith is now going to get even more up. I wouldn't be surprised to see him potentially play against the wild. The wild have not been that good this year. And maybe the penguins will try to close a deal to get Jason Zucker here and maybe have him just stay in Pittsburgh after tomorrow. But you know what?

I'm probably wishful thinking a little bit right now. But, yeah, for the Penguins, goal scores in this game, folks. You know, Teddy Bluger gets another goal. Evgeny Malkin. What a goal by Evgeny Malkin in that game. Wow. I mean, that was a beautiful, beautiful, gorgeous shot. Oh, I can't get enough of watching that goal again.

It was almost like the far right side just snaps it, far side posting in goaltender had the avalanche it was a frenzoz excuse me had no chance on it that was just

I couldn't believe you know that puck went in Brian Russ was able to tie the game in the third period 2-2 wow Brian Russ folks he now has 18 goals on the season

I can't believe that he still keeps out keeping out this pace but you know what he is and then of course the OT winner Jared McCann. He's breaking out of his slump. He had a one goal in 17-game slump,

but he's definitely broken out of it a little bit now. He scored again in the game against Arizona, which we'll get to in a minute, but still. And also defensively in that overtime, that was a very tactical overtime, I thought, by the Penguins. They were not taking too many risks. They were being careful with the puck. Very tactical there.

A couple of Colorado had, like, I think, two-on-one a couple times, but John Marino was able to hover. muscle back and just what a player he's turned out to be. I think a lot of media is starting to get on the bandwagon that, hey, this guy's probably going to be a Calder Trophy finalist at the end of the season. I think it's a four-man race for three-man spots. I think obviously one of the spots is going to get on Calmercar.

Calmer is going to win the Calder Trophy. I don't really think it's close either. The other two spots, I think Quinn Hughes is probably going to get one, and then maybe the other spot was going to go to Marino or Olaf Sin of the Buffalo Sabres. But I would put Marino on that third spot. Like I say, it's starting nothing to come out now that, you know, he's this good and he's going to be in Pittsburgh, I think. I think folks for a very, very long time. Marino also directly assisted on two of the goals in the win against Colorado.

And that was just, I mean, I just couldn't believe that. Also, Doug Dominic Cahoon, three more assists in that game. He just keeps getting better and better. And, yeah, John Marino, I just, I brought out the things to say about him because he almost never makes a mistake. It's just, it's, it's unreal at this point. But yeah, I was a hell of a win against Colorado. The winning streak got to three at that point, and then, of course, they went into the game against Arizona,

and we're able to beat the coyotes four to three in the shootout. All right, so, of course, continuing our little mini recap of the games this week. We all know they beat the coyotes, four to three in the desert. you know, I just another goal, another game, another goal for Jared McCann. Patrick Hornquist continues to light the lamp. That's four goals in his last six games now. For Patrick Horquist, I think he's up to 11 goals now on the season. He's just been a rock ever since he came back in the lineup.

I can't say good enough things about Hornquist that he's really found his game, wrote about that today for my article on last word on hockey. You know, he's not that top six score that he used to be in 2015, 2016, 2016, to 2017, but if he's on your third line, that's perfectly adequate. And I think that's where he best is now suited for, is that third line role. And you could put him on the top power play with Jake Ansel out for almost the rest of the season. And he'll still produce results. And it was another goal.

It was on the power play that got the Penguins to being two for two on the power play before. They did not score in their next one. But, you know, that's where Patrick Hornquist's office is, right in the front of the net, to the side of the net, opposite side of the net, right in front of the net. Like, yeah, that's where his office is. He's going to keep getting goals there. You know, this has been a very welcome edition for the penguins ever since he's come back. He just has to stay healthy. And, yeah, he's just, I just, I love the way he's playing.

Another goal, guys, the penguins were trailing after Arizona score. I think this was the Taylor Hall goal that made it three to two in the game. Brandon Tanev, another goal. I think that was his 10th goal on the season for Brandon Tanev. That Tanev, Aston Reese, Blugher line is going to be a major problem. problem down the stretch for a lot of teams folks. They are relentless. They are fast.

They are tenacious. They piss off almost every team they played in the game yesterday. I was listening to it and I watched some of the highlights after. I saw the shift where they were basically in the offensive zone in the Arizona zone for about a minute and then it was capped off by his Zach Aston Reese hitting, I think it was the post of the crossbar right after. Then of course the Arizona was able to clear the buck. But excuse me, they were just relentless in that zone, just putting pressure on

Arizona, their defensemen all their forwards. I think that line is probably, you could easily make a case that they're the best fourth line in the league. Maybe even, they're probably better than some of the third lines in league with the production that they're getting. It's just, what a signing that Brandon Tanev has really turned out to be. I think that's now 21, 22 points for Brandon Tanev this year. He's already up to 10 goals.

I think last year he had 13 goals altogether with the Winnipeg Jets. I think Tandad is definitely on pace too. I'll do that this season. Trishinjari, of course, got the start yesterday. 24 saves on 27 Arizona shots. I didn't particularly like the second goal that he gave up. I think that was to Connor Garland,

if I'm not mistaken, that he got it. It wasn't Derek's step-on. I think it was Connor Garland that got it. And also, it didn't help that Jack Johnson was having awful positioning on that goal. I don't know what he's doing right there. It basically almost banked on him off Johnson and in.

He just, he looks like he's lost out there. But I thought Jari was mostly solid the rest of the game. He made some big, big saves in the third period and then in the shootout. The overtime, man, I was a boy. I went back and watched the highlights out of overtime. That's got to be one of the most dull, boring three-on-three overtimes. I think I'd ever watch as a hockey fan. There were not a lot of chances at each end of the ice.

I mean, there were some, but it wasn't like, you know, up and down like we're used to seeing for three-on-three. I did like that. I think Arizona had a two-on-one with Taylor Hall, and Chris LaTang made an outstanding defensive play to break it up if they get his stick on it. And also, Chris LaTang was just announced as the Metropolitan Division captain

for the All-Star Games. So congratulations to Chris La-Tang, a well-deserved honor. I hope Penguin's Chronicles is crying right now because he deserves it after dumping on Chris La-Tang for no reason at all. I just, I can't go a full episode without trashing him because he really is a complete moron.

But sorry about that. I have to get that out. But another really good game from Chris LaTang. I thought he was great that game. John Marino, another good game from him. Like I said, I don't really know what else to say. He's just been something else at this point. And also, I really would like to shout out Yuselika for this game.

That's another game where I think he's starting to look like a top six defenseman. And, you know, he's shown flashes that he should be an everyday player, but he's also shown flashes that, you know, sometimes he plays like a below bottom pairing. but not below parry got bottom what's the word I'm looking for a below replacement level of defensemen I'm getting my words all mixed up here but you know and but this is

starting to put together a little bit now that he belongs in the top six but you know I think when Schultz and Dumlin eventually do come back I think he probably is going to be the odd man out because the penguins are so obsessed with Jack Johnson but I also think the penguins potentially could use an upgrade at the young defensive

defense of in position I think they could use another potentially defensemen. Another thing in this game, folks, you've got to sit off scotch out when Cindy Crosby comes back. This is just ridiculous already. Just taking dumb penalties.

I know he had an assist in this game, but taking dumb penalties. It was on the third Arizona goal. He just, he looks lost. He was barely covering anything in the defensive zone. He was just basically skating like a, in no man's land

was basically what it was. And I just, he's, he's, He's got to be scratched at this point. I don't understand. He's just operating on another level of bad. He basically stayed on the ice after the penalty. He comes out of the box.

Then he turns the puck over. Then he just gets caught in no man's land in the defensive zone. In the defensive zone. It's just, it's truly remarkable how bad he has been for the penguins this season. And I don't disclose his work ethic. I think, I mean, from everything I've read, he works insanely hard, of everything I've listened to on the Penultzment podcast with Sean Jintilly, Rob Rossi,

Joshi, please all go listen to that if you have a subscription to the athletic. They do a very, very good job with it. You know, they all say he works really hard, and he does it put the extra time in, but, you know, even reading Pierre LeBrunn's piece today on the athletic, saying it just hasn't worked out, apparently the penguins are looking for a potential draft pick in return for Gal Cheneyuk

or a bottom six forward. I don't even know if you can get back at this point for him, considering that he has just been on an otherworldly level of just bad. And I don't understand. It's nuts. It just hasn't been a fit. But, and then, of course, the shootout comes in for this game.

I truly hate the shootout. There's some people out there, I think, that still like the shootout. I don't know how you people like the shootout. It is one of the most boring parts of this game. It is a stupid way to decide a game. Goes to eight rounds. Both teams were both goalies were making good say, as a lot of players were shooting it over the net.

Brian Russ had a really nice shootout goal Forehand back in and of course Teddy Bluegar was able to win it in round A and Trishanjari was able to get the save And I to get the Penguins Two points six out of six points On the three game road trip they returned home To play the Minnesota Wilde

Tomorrow night in Pittsburgh before a Big road trip this at the end of this week To play the Herod Hot Boston Ruins And the tanking Detroit Red Wing So it's just What a road trip for the Penguins It's one of the most fun road trips I think I've had watching the Penguins in a long time.

Yeah, folks, this team's fun. They're good. I think more people need to be watching this team and seeing just how truly good that they are. And reinforcements are on their way. Let's be real with that. So with the win last night, folks, for the Penguins, they are now three points up on the New York Islanders for second place in the Metropolitan Division. I'm actually just checking the standings right now, actually.

And they're also four points behind the Capitol. And if the capitals actually lose in regulation tonight to the Carolina Hurricanes, really, but not that's the fourth time that those two teams are playing each other. And the Penguins and the Penguins have them playing each other yet. We'll get to that in the second. The Penguins will be four points back with two games in hand on the Capitals. So there's a real opening right now, I think, for the Penguins to make a serious run, getting the Metropolitan Division Crown towards the end of the season. I know the Islanders have two games in hand on them right now, but there's still three points behind them. Penguins have also, the Islanders have also been slacking a little bit lately.

Losers of six at their last 10. They're starting to slump down just a little bit. But the penguins overall, they have played the same number of games as the hurricanes and the flyers, though. And they are nine points. They are five points up on the hurricanes and nine points up on the flyers who occupy the last wild-guards spot. But yeah, I think this second half race between the penguins and the capitals is going to get really interesting. These two teams have somehow not played yet this season. The NHL schedule has been really, really weird with how they did the Penguins and the Capitol schedule.

Like I just said, the Penguins and the Hurricanes and the Hurricanes, the Hurricanes and the Capitals, this will be their fourth and final game that they've played this season, and they have yet to play the Penguins at all this season. And also, the Penguins have also yet to play the Hurricanes this season. Both of those teams, they have not, the Penguins have also really not had a lot of Metropolitan Division games, through the first half of the schedule. Just going off that even more of the hurricanes and the capals, they haven't played bad.

They've only played the Flyers ones, but they play them two times coming up once, I think, before the All-Star Break once after. They play the Rangers, I think, three more times, the Devils two more times, the Islanders ones. They play the Islanders a lot through the first couple months, and they play the Blue Jackets a lot through the first couple months, but still a lot of the other teams in the Metropolitan Division,

they have not played a lot of games against the Eastern Conference, that's going to be most of their games down the stretch here for the penguins as I think they only have three. After tomorrow night's game, excuse me, against the Minnesota Wild, the penguins only have three more games against Western Conference teams, and that is the California road trip when they go out and play San Jose, Los Angeles, and Anaheim. So four more games left for the Penguins against the Western Conference. They have beaten every Western Conference team at least once this season, except the San Jose Shorts and they'll have the chance. to at least get a split with every Western Conference team when that road trip is. I think it's early next month, if I'm not mistaken, it's after the All-Star break.

But yeah, I figured it would be a cool way to talk about. You know, the Penguins, usually the Capitals have ran away with the Metropolitan Division in recent seasons. But, yeah, the Penguins, I think, have a real shot of potentially getting it this season. The Capitals are going through the little mid-season crisis of not playing as well. I'm sure they'll wake up at some point. They're too good not too. They're a really, really good team. But along with the Great Penguins reinforcements coming back soon.

Sidney Crosby, like I said, should hopefully be back tomorrow night. I thought I was going to play on Sunday, but they held him out as probably more of a precaution. Nick Fugstad apparently has started to practice with the team. Justin Schultz is still skating. That's three of the five injured guys that are currently injured. And then, of course, Brian Dumlin should be back, I think, close right after the All-Star break. I think early February will be the eight-week mark for his injury. So hopefully at some point he'll start skating and then he'll potentially be coming back to the team as well.

please pits Jim Rutherford. I don't ask for much, but please trade for Jason Zooker tomorrow night because I would like to see the takes on Twitter.com if the Penguins are somehow able to get Jason Zooker. It's probably not going to happen. But I feel like that would be really, really funny. I mean, he fits everything that the Penguins will look for in a winger. He's really fast.

He scores a lot of goals. I still wish that trade would have went through with the while to get Zooker for Kessel, but ultimately, you know, it's Kessel's right that he didn't want to go to Minnesota, that he wanted to go to Arizona. and, you know, we really can't blame him considering that. The Wild have not been as good this year, and the coyotes have been one of the really good success stories in the NHL this season. But, yeah, folks, so the big game tomorrow night against the Wild, the Wild.

I think at this point, looking at the standings right now, they're currently seventh place in the Central Division. They're actually tied with the Chicago Blackhawks. Four last in the division. They are 10 points at a second place, nine points out of first. It has been a struggling season again for the while. They looked like they were waking up a little bit.

Their minus 15 goal differential is pretty bad. They've lost three in a row. Six out of their last 10. They lost drop in the game against the Canucks. The Flames, they actually had a home-and-home against the Flames where they lost. Lost to the Canucks. They did be Winnipeg, but they lost to Toronto, the Islanders. So basically, they lost five of their last six games.

They're falling further and further out of the wild card. And you've got to see what Billy Garron will potentially do at the deadline. I've got to think he's going to be a seller. And, yeah, trade for Jason Zuckery tomorrow, Jim Rutherford, because he's definitely on one of my top list of trade targets that I think would be great for the Pittsburgh for the penguins to get to replace chicken. But that's all I have, I think, for you guys, all mocked on penguins. Keep watching this team, guys.

This is really, really special. This team is really, really good. They play like one of the 2016 teams. This team is really freaking good. And I think not enough people around the league are noticing that this Penguins team, I think, can really make a deep run in the playoffs if they get healthy and they continue to get this type of goal-tending in if they add a winger on by the deadline. So keep it right here on Locked on Penguins, and we'll have another episode coming tomorrow for you guys, but maybe be after the game where I recap the game.

All right. Take care, guys.