Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Locked On Penguins 11/5- Oilers & Bruins Game Recaps

Episode Date: November 6, 2019

In this episode of Locked On penguins, Hunter recaps the games against the Edmonton Oilers & Boston Bruins. He dives into how well the Penguins are playing despite these losses and how fans shouldn't be too mad considering how they're playing and how it'll even out over the season. He also talks about the Kris Letang injury from the Bruins game and how that Bruins game might have been one of the games of the year so far. 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. And wow, these last two Penguins games, they have played so, so well, but did not get two wins there. Just so frustrating. One point out of four games, despite completely dominating the Bruins and the Oilers. But before we get into that, follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show on Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. I just wanted to update you guys a little bit.

I think next week the Penguins will play the New York Rangers before my 22nd birthday, actually. And I'm going to be doing a crossover episode with the host of the Rangers' Locked-on Rangers podcast where we're in contact. I think that's going to happen either before the game or after the game. So check out for that next week. Keep the reviews coming in for the podcast.

Keep subscribing on Apple, Spotify, whatever. But let's just get right into it. These last two Penguins games have been so fun to watch. I know they have not gotten the results that they should have gone. I think they definitely deserve to win both of these games. But this is a gear from the Penguins I have not seen in a couple seasons since they won back-to-back Stanley Cups. Especially, you know, now they're fully healthy.

Close enough. They were on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. They absolutely dominated the Oilers from start to finish. The fact that you had Connor McDavid and Leon Dryosidal below a 20%, coursey Fenwick percentage or 20% possession-wise, you should win that game. And the only reason why they lost it, goal-tending. And not the Penguins' goal-tending.

That was because of the Bruins game. And we'll get to that. But Mike Smith, he was rock-solid from start to finish. Had, I think the Penguins outshot the Oilers, 55 to 28, if I'm not mistaken. He had over 50 saves. He was just stopping everything that came his way. The only goal he gave up,

excuse me was the Brian Dumlin shorthand goal. That was Dumlin's first goal of the season. It's always a big deal when Dumlin scores because he never scores that often. I'd like to see him score more. But yeah, it was that, you know, what are you going to do with that? You know, they took him into overtime.

And that three-on-three overtime, that was so much fun. Two-on-ones up and down the ice. Latang had a chance that he could have missed, but it went just wider than that, and then the Wothers come down. It was going to be a penalty in Drys Title scores one pass Murray. The first goal of Murray gave up,

that was just a hell of a move by Colby Cave. That was the first time I've ever heard of him, and this was actually, I think, his first game up in the league this season. He had the first goal for Edmonton, before, of course, Duma Tide, and then Drysidal,

ended the game in overtime. So that was so fun. Cindy Crosby was outstanding in that game. I thought Malkin was fine in his return. He's going to take him a couple games, but I thought he was fine. I thought Murray was good. nine out of ten times the penguins win those kind of games,

especially when you out shoot a team by over 20, 25 shots. It's not often you see a team outshute someone that bad and outplay someone that bad, and that team loses. But you know what, Penguins lost, but there was a lot to like out of that game. It was the first time this season they were fully healthy, and they looked pretty damn good, and that carried over to the game against Boston, which I guess we'll get into now. That was definitely an annoying loss to take if you're a Penguins,

if you're a Penguins fan. They would go down early 3-0. Matt Murray, definitely, I think, his worst game of the season. That first goal, he allowed. Just not a good angle just to give up. It was by DeBrusk. Just, like I said, bad angle goal. Second goal, you really can't do anything.

It was batting in the air a lot. Marshawn had a nice goal. The Paschunuckle I've honestly kind of gone back and forth on. it looked like a nice shot a little bit, but I think it was kind of weak to the Walker side. I think Murray could have that. But, I mean, Murray also coming in to this game, having one of the best goaltenders in the league this season.

Over his last 84 shots that he's faced, 81 saves for a 964 save percentage. And this is all according to actually Bob Grove. Shout out to Bob Grove for this staff, because he's like a Penguins Encyclopedia on Twitter. And apparently according to Bob Grove, he's only allowed 10 goals over his last six start, which is, of course, I don't know why people keep texting

why I try to do this. 10 goals allowed over his last six starts, which equals a 1.64 goals against average. Again, he's going to have bad games, like a stinker that he had last night, but they were playing well despite him giving up three goals, but they started playing a lot better when he came out when Jari came in.

That second period was the best period of Penguins hockey that I've seen probably, two years. I don't think I saw them dominate a team like they did in that period, especially a Bruins team that is now 11 and 1 and 2. Like, I mean, they're 14 games in and they've dropped one regulation loss. And the fact that the Penguins dominated them like that, just out shooting them constantly pressuring them in their own. They were hemming the Bruins in their own zone, the whole period. And boy, did they make them pay a four-goal period off of Yarslau-Lakou. trailed his nice inner Henrik Lungquist.

He got very mad when the Penguins took a four-thru lead in the second intermission. Dominic Cahoon got inserted back in the lineup after he was a healthy scratch against the Oilers. I still disagreed that he was a healthy scratch against the Oilers, but he came in and he got a goal. This is a player that you need to keep in the lineup no matter what. He's playing his best hockey of the season now. He's starting to contribute goal-wise, starting to play like the rookie that he was in Chicago last year. You need to keep him in the bottom six. Keep getting him ice time.

He's going to produce. It took him a little bit to get going, but I really think now that this is the, you've got to keep him in the lineup because he's playing very well. Nick Bukstad got a goal. A lot of people have been on the train that, you know, the Penguins should trade Nick Bukstad for a big forward or another defense mid. I'm not really part of that. I think he fits as a third line center. He just needs to get going. I think last night was a big stepping direction.

Talk about that beautiful power. from Chris LaTang to Spring Bukes down on a semi-breakway because that was a all-worldly pass from LaTang who unfortunately left early in the third period. We'll get to that in a little bit. And then Brian Russ, what a pass from McGinny Malkin to get it to Brian Russ to tie the game. That was just absolutely filthy by Russ to get that goal. Just that pass from Malkin. You know, he's definitely feeling a little more. I think towards the end of the third period.

He didn't have his best end of the game, but that pass was gorgeous from Monkin and Rust. You can just see how much a difference he makes in the lineup. He's so fast. He has that goal scoring touch when he's on. I know we can get into all those kind of slums that he always gets out. I know last year he entered a couple really bad slums, followed by some goal streaks.

Hopefully he puts it all together this year. He's now fully healthy coming off that look like an hand or wrist injury. good stuff by Russ Tide the game. And then, of course, stick-tap to John Marino, folks. Right out of the penalty box, his first game up in Boston where it was his hometown. All of his family and friends are there. And what a first goal for his season.

And he just deeped halak badly. Put the puck five hole. And I bet his family and friends could not have been more proud of him because that goal was just spectacular to watch. He's going to play in the top six every night. And he deserves it the way he's playing. right now. Like I said, I know his underlying numbers aren't too good. You know, playing with Jack Johnson. Though speaking of Jack Johnson, his possession last night was 81%. I don't think I've

ever seen it that high throughout his career. But John Marino, great game. To make it four, three, and then, of course, the third period, that's where it all went to crap. And we'll get to that after this. But yeah, and considering that I'm actually pretty hungry, you guys should actually treat yourself to the meal you deserve for DoorDash and have your favorite restaurants come to you with DoorDash. Right now, you guys can get $5 off your first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDash app and you just got to enter the promo code locked on. There you go, boom, $5 off your first order of $15 or more. So go ahead. Do that if you're hungry. Go get some pizza or whatever you want to order, whatever is on DoorDash. All right. So the third period last night,

Man, I was going to do this podcast last night. I was so happy watching the game. I'm like, man, this is going to be potentially the win of the season so far. It was not to be. Tristan Jari gave up two really bad goals in relief of Murray. The fourth one. Shout out to Brad Marsha and what a play by him to keep the puck in the zone off of Guinea Malkin. That was going to be a breakaway for Malkin.

If he had stolen the puck, he tried two twice, and Marchon somehow kept it in. And I think Aston reached him. tried to as well, he still kept it in. So as much as we all probably dislike Brad Marchand for some of his antics on the ice, he's one of the best players in the league. He's so fun to watch when he's actually playing the game

and not being an idiot and making a fool of himself. And he got to Tori Krug and he beat Jari. I mean, I know it was a laser, but I think you got to come up with that. It was a bad angle goal. Ties the game. So at that point, you're hoping, okay, stay with it, try to get a point. Also,

maybe try to get a win. The penguins, they were still hemming them in their own zone. They were getting constant pressure on Hulok, but the Bruins were starting to get in a little more zone time. The penguins were letting up a little bit. It looked like the penguins had taken the lead off of Alex Gowt Chenyuk's first goal this season, though the net was dislodged right before the puck went in.

It looked like, I think that was when Charlie McAvoy got hurt, and he was bleeding bad on the ice. Hope you're okay, Charlie, because that did not look good. He's one of the best young defense in the league. He's a lot of fun to watch. He's also probably the ruins best defenseman. But it looked like entering the final three minutes. I'm like, okay, just get to overtime, get a point,

see what you can do three on three, because when you have Cindy Crosby, we have Guinea Malk and Jake Gensel. You never know what's going to happen. But Brad Marchand had other plans because he had a five-point game too. I mean, what a game from Brad Marchion. That top line of Marshawn Posternak-Bergion, I mean, that is just, that's not fair. That line is sincerely a cheat code of a line to watch. They're so fun to watch.

They're so good in the offensive zone. They're three of the best players in hockey. It's no wonder why they're so good this season at 11 and 1 and 2. Also because, of course, they're goal tending. But that top line is just filthy. That's one of the biggest reasons why they are a cup contender this year and why they're at the top of the Atlantic Division. and there's a really strong case that they were going to come out of the east again this year,

especially with Tampa Bay struggling. But of course, there's a lot of other teams that you can make a case for. But it looked like John Reno, he had a nice pinch, but he fired the puck wide, which sprung Marshawn. If you're going to pinch like that, in my opinion, get the puck on that. I think that was a little bit of a mistake from Reno because he fired it so well wide. Like, just get it to the net because if he does that, the play doesn't happen. to Marshaun. Also, he was defended pretty well.

I mean, that's a shot that you got a glove Jari. Like that's unacceptable. Hits the post, bounces off Jari's back and then goes in. Kind of a fluky goal, especially when it hits the post, it goes off the goaltender and in. I mean, that's as fluky as it can get, basically. But you still got a glove that. They score with 157 remaining, and then the Penguins emptied their net, and then the

Bruins got another empty net goal to make it 6 to 4. I think that was honestly so far the game of the season, the way those two teams were going at it, that could be a preview of the Eastern Conference final, especially with the way the Penguins are playing right now. I mean, the Penguins, they're not doing their typical October, November, December, garbage that we're used to where, you know, they're winning, but they're not playing well. When they lose, they get blown out of the building, or when they lose, they barely scored. No, like, they're actually outplaying teams. They're buying into Sullivan's system. I mean, this looks like a damn good team.

I think a lot better of a team than I think a lot of fans thought they were going to be and a lot of media people thought they were going to be. I know they're not getting the results right now. It looks like they've lost five of seven. But eventually it's going to even out. You lost the game against the Oilers because a goaltender stood on his head in Mike Smith. Then you lose the Bruins game because you actually score on Halaki. You get four goals on him.

But then your goaltenders don't make the saves. But you're still out playing. them. You're still outchancing them, out possessing them. Eventually, guys, it's going to even out and everything is going to be okay. I know. The loss last night was definitely a little bit hard to take. I was probably a little more mad than I should have been after that loss. I mean, I know it's November, but man, I wanted to win that game because they were just running Boston out of the building, almost that whole game. And that sucks that the goaltenders just were just bad last night.

And not to understand it, Sidney Crosby and Jake Gensel, I believe, I know, I hate using plus minus. I think it's a useless stat. They were on the ice, I think, for four of the Bruins' goals. They just did,

I mean, it wasn't just that. They just, they weren't having like too good of a game, I'd say. They weren't, I know they, I think Crosby had a bunch of shots on net last night. Yeah, it was five shots on net.

But, you know, got a, you know, he was, I don't think he was playing at his best game. Neither was Jake Gensel. Not going to really worry about that. It's one game. I thought of Gany Malkin looked okay last night. Like I said, he had that really nice assist on Brian Ruskell.

Alks Gail Chen Yuck hit the post on a shot on the power play. He's getting really, really close to getting that first goal. He just needs to stay healthy. And Justin Schultz, folks. Shout to Jesse Marshall, who had a really good article about the Schultz-Persen pairing. That pairing has become even better for the Penguin. Schultz, it looks like, is getting close to being all the way back to where he once was. he's starting to produce

which is really really big for him and yeah he's not getting burned like he used to which is really good but the fact of the matter is guys you're not going to win a game when you're starting goaltender it has 727% percentage and then when your backup goal he gives up two goals 857% percentage on two

really I'd say just two poor just two poor goals you can allow and same goes from Matt Murray so basically I mean of the six goals that the Bruins scored I will actually we'll just discount the end net of four of the five goals that they actually scored on this you can make a case they should not have went in.

It was just an off night for the Penguins' Goaltern just despite the team playing their absolute ass off, excuse my language or my French, they really are, have been playing their asses off and, you know, that you just got to get on in the next one. The Penguins will play the New York Islanders on Thursday night at Barclays who will not be in the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Uniondale, New York. The fact that I've memorized that, I can memorize that back in 2013. when I was like 15 years old when they played each other in the playoffs. I think that's because my mom told me about that.

But anyways, in fact, I remember that is kind of weird. But they will be in Barclays for that game. And, yeah, that was just a little bit of a crushing loss. But they are definitely playing the best hockey that I think we've seen from them in a couple seasons. This is a gear, like I said, I know Jesse Marshall quote you to my tweet last night. I tweeted this out on my Twitter account. This is a gear I have not seen from the Penguins in a long time. I did not see it at all in the playoffs last season.

Even towards the end of last season, we didn't end it. We never got a glimpse like this. They're just a lot deeper. They're a lot better. If they get good goaltending like they have been for the most far, and they keep playing like this, this is going to be a really scary team the rest of the season and into the playoffs because if they are still in the playoffs right now,

they're likely going to get in the playoffs. But, yeah, this is a really good team. All right, so you knew the good luck for the Penguins could not last long with the injuries, and of course they are back. I already said Patrick Cornquist is out longer turn with a lowy body injury. I'm not really sure where he got hurt in the Oilers game. I have to go back and check.

I don't remember him getting hurt. I just remember seeing that he's not on the ice to start one of the periods. I don't, yeah, like I said, I'm not really sure what happened, but definitely unfortunate that he's going to be out longer term. He's actually starting to put together a decent, a really good start to the season. I'm seeing a lot of tweets for some reason, oh, well, you know, the penguins are better off without one. Quist in lineup. All right. I'm going to stop you guys right there because that's just no.

Okay. He's one of your 12 best forwards. He's a better option than Zach Aston Reese's. That's for damn sure. Because I always don't really think Zach Aston Reese is that good. I mean, I think he's fine as a 12th or 13th board. But Patrick Horkless definitely will be in this lineup when he comes back. He had a really good start for the season.

You can play him anywhere right wing. You can play him anywhere on the right wings on the M-E line. And yeah, that sucks because he just hasn't been able to stay healthy these past couple seasons. It was, it wasn't an interview but glad that Brian Dumlin was able to play last night. Shout out to the Dumlin family.

They had their first kid. It's great stuff. And then, of course, the big injury now, Chris LaTang. It looks like his status, it looks like is up in the air for the Islanders game. Sullivan has not declared him out.

So it looks like he's still on the road trip. He did not play the final 13 minutes of last night's game. I think he played the first few minutes of the, if there was five or six minutes of the third period, and then he exited the game. So he did not play for the final half about of the third period. So apparently Sullivan said after the game, it's a lower-your-bonny injury. He's doing being evaluated, and yeah, that's definitely not the player you all want to lose. The Penguins want to lose.

Obviously, easily their best defenseman, one of the best defensemen in hockey. He was having another really good start to the season. He just can't get hurt. Hopefully it's not too serious. Hopefully it's only day to day. Hopefully these couple of off days will get him back. Maybe it's kind of like a Brian Duhlin injury because, of course, Dumlin only missed, I think, two or three games with his injury.

It was really minor. So he came back within a week, week and a half. Hopefully, best, worst case scenario, it's not that. It is that. Hopefully it's not a long term of a tank because there's no replacement option for him because he does so much for the penguins. He eats up minutes. He can play 28 to 30 minutes a night.

He plays on their top power play. plays on the top pairing, like I said, with Brian Duhlin, drives possession, one of the best offensive defensive. Like I said, one of the best defensive in hockey. You know, right, like I said, right as the penguins are starting to get healthy, of course, injuries always happen. They were healthy for basically 40 minutes these last two games because Patrick Cornquist, I think, missed the third period against the Oilers.

And then, of course, a Tang Nest night misses the last half of the third period. So, yeah, I mean, what are you going to do? It's the Penguins injury bug. So they're 8 and 6 in 1 now. They're still in the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Big game against the Islanders coming. The Islanders have red hot lately. They've won nine straight games going into tonight.

And yeah, this is going to be a big test for the Penguins. Try to maybe get a little revenge from getting swept, embarrassingly swept, I might add, by the Islanders this past spring. They won't have Robin Leonard, obviously, since he's in Chicago, so maybe they'll figure out a little bit better. with someone else other than Robin Lennar in that. But I think we'll have a preview of that game coming tomorrow for the Locked on Penguins podcast. And yeah, I hope you guys enjoy this episode.

Hopefully the Penguins will be able to get a couple more wins. I think this weekend they also play the Chicago Blackhawks. And if I'm not mistaken, I think they have like an 8 to 10 game losing streak against the Black. It's been a while since the Penguins have beaten the Blackhawks. I know it's been at least a few years now. The past, like, that's the team that, like, the penguins can just never beat during the season, no matter what they do. Even though the Blackhawks are so, so bad, they always have the Penguins number. But we'll talk about that matchup in the coming days.

But thank you guys so much for listening, and we'll talk to you all soon.