Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Lucky number seven for your Pittsburgh Penguins!

Episode Date: December 16, 2022

The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to win and it's all they know how to do! Hunter recaps the Penguins' 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers from Thursday night and starts the show by gushing over how the special teams units were. He looks at how they carried the rest of the team to this victory and how both have done a complete 180 since the season started. He then asks fans to maybe give some more credit to Todd Reirden and Mike Vellucci since they oversee the units that have really helped the Penguins win more games. AFter that, Hunter analyzes Tristan Jarry's performance and looks at a couple of instances where he really kept them in the game. He then goes over some of his recent numbers and wonders whether he'll start to get some Vezina love if he can keep it up heading into the new year. Of course, this game wouldn't be complete without some proper Kris Letang love as he enjoyed another stellar outing. Hunter breaks down how he was able to pot his second of the season at a time when they badly needed a goal. He also discusses Evgeni Malkin's injury and why it doesn't look to be serious before ending the show with a discussion about how every fan should be enjoying this, even though it's just the regular season.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!SimpliSafeWith Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnNHL to learn more.NHTSADrive sober or get pulled over. Click HERE to learn more.  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.

What's up, Penguins fans? Your team has now won seven in a row. They're the hottest team in hockey right now with a fortitude convincing victory over the Florida Panthers and what was probably the most chaotic game of the season. In today's episode of the Longman Penguins podcast, we're going to get into everything regarding this game of getting Malcon's injury, another call from Jake Gensel, Sydney Crosby with how the top line was humming, all of that, plus Tristan Jari, the special teams. that's all coming up right after this drop.

You're Locked on Penguins, your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. We're going to follow me on Twitter at Honor Hodes.

Follow the shows, Twitter at LO, Arnsworth Penguins, and of course, thank you so much for making this your first listen of the day. today's episode is brought to you by bet online and online as how has you covered this season with more props odds than lines than ever before that has been online where the game starts so let's get right into it penguins have now won seven in a row four points is all that separates them between being in first place in that metropolitan division because the devils have lost a few in a row with the penguins

that also coincides with them winning and you know Carolina they're right there um or the hurricanes i should say we're being plural they are right there with the penguins as well as well as the devils as well as the well, and being four points back. So they're playing some very good hockey right now. And this was, again, as I teased my intro, a very chaotic game, probably the most chaotic game that Penguins have played this season.

And I didn't think it would come against the Panthers, especially not without Matthew Kachuk. I thought he was going to play tonight, but it looks like he came down with a non-COVID illness. You know, there's something going around right now. I mean, I'm still recovering a little bit from a cold. I think a lot of people will be getting the flu lately. So, you know, he probably had something related to that.

I know, they said it was on COVID. You know, Sergey Borovsky played well, but, you know, this was an up and down affair. Aw, man, rushes galore with both teams, so many scoring chances. And it was unexpected just because it was against a Paul Maurice coach team. You know, I would have expected this if it was Andrew Brunette, the flashed because the Panthers' Raptors wills the game, and he's a very offensive-minded coach. But with Maurice, you know, he's usually a more, oh, excuse me, that's the far right. The first time I've sneezed on the show before, sorry about that.

Well, first time I've sneezed in quite a while. Anyways, you know, getting back to what I was saying with Paul Maurice, he is a much more defensive-minded coach. That's why I kind of thought tonight, you know, I was with Armando. He said 2-1, I said 3-2. It was going to be 3-2 before the M-D Netter. But, you know, this game could have been 4-3, 5-4, 6-5. with some of the chances that both teams were getting. So, you know, I was just kind of surprised because the Panthers were missing quite a bit of firepower,

but they were still able to get, you know, a lot of quality chances at the net tonight. You know, the Panthers, they actually control a lot of the underlying numbers at 5-5. Shot attempts, they had a slight edge, 51.5% of those scoring chances were dead even, but high danger, the Panthers had 60% of those chances, but the Penguins did lead, though, inexpected goals with 56%. And so, you know, this was attracting me at the end of the day. So I really wanted to start out with that just because the Penguins, again, both teams could have had, you know, four to five goals or maybe more tonight. But I think where this game was really one for me was special teams.

And, you know, I tweeted this story right after the game. Kudos to Todd Reardon and Mike Volucci for really turning around both of those units. I had someone come on my mentions and say, well, you know, it's. it's mainly Teddy Bluger. And I understand Bluger's return does help the PK a lot. He is their best penalty killer. But I will also argue with or say to that person that Blugers return. The unit was already starting to get in the right direction before he came back.

It just so happened to that when he came back, he was that missing piece. And now you're seeing it right now where it's a top five unit in the league. It was going to potentially get into that. well, I think it would get into that upper half of the league, you know, without Bluger, but with him, it is a top five unit, and you are seeing that right now. The PK was awesome tonight. Chris Lattang gets a shorthanded goal, his second goal of the season, also had two points total tonight.

Another really strong game from him. Nice job of him to jump up into the rush on that short-handed chance to give the Penguins a two-to-one. Actually, not the two-to-one lead. but yeah it was it was the it was the goal to make it one one I uh yeah I I I apologize

about that I don't know what my brain I think is farted on that but no like really nice job with him to jump up into the play and you know get that shorthandling goal there because the PK was firing on all cylinders tonight and then you know we'll also go to this the power play seven straight games now of a power play goal that is the longest is such stretch that the power play has scored in the Mike Sullivan era. It's a unit right now that is playing very good hockey. And this started, you know, even before Latang came back from the stroke,

Pitchie was doing a great job, quarterbacking that first unit. And then Latang comes back. It doesn't miss a beat. I think a big change has been more card Raquel coming up for Brian Russ. And I know Rusty's been playing him a bit better, you know, as of late. but Raquel just he fits that unit better with how well his you know how well timed his shots are how much of a canon he has with that shot and his playmaking ability being on that left you know half wall in the offensive zone and then you know the big guns are not really overpassing the zone entries have gotten a lot better just everything about the special teams right now have you know everything about the special teams right now are really good And, you know, it's, you're seeing it really paved the way to the penguins getting these results. And I've said this a lot.

You can win with a good penalty kill and a bad power play. But man, when both are clicking, it's very hard to lose. But, you know, right now, you know, the last couple weeks, it's been the power play. The penalty kill has been doing this for the last month. It's just nice to see, you know, one finally step up when the other one is playing really well. So I do think that is the main reason why the Penguins won this game was because of the special teams. And, you know, I'm curious to see how they're going to do the rest of the season. The PK right now is fire eye on all cylinders.

I thought Brock McGinn, especially tonight outside Teddy Bougar, was electric, was blocking shots, was joining in the rush, unshorehanded opportunities, went out for a little bit. but, you know, he's playing some of the finest hockey of his Penguins tenure right now. And, you know, he's been a key cog for that penalty killing unit. So I wanted to really shout him out and just everyone on those special teams units. And I understand that some people are not going to give the credit, the coaches, their due credit, just because when the unit struggled, they're the first one to get the blame. But when they're performing well, they're the last one to get the credit.

You know, I don't believe in that philosophy. I can criticize coaches when units are bad, but I also do like to look at the execution what the players are doing to see if it's more of that aspect or if it's more coaching or, you know, potentially if it's both. And with Reardon, you know, I know people have had problems with his power plays. You know, at times during his penguins tenure, I know there was the same issue in Washington. But right now, you got to give them credit for getting this unit turned around because they look very confident when they go out there.

It's not the same thing where they're being pushed to the perimeter of the ice on the offensive zone where they're just going backwards to go forwards for actually getting the chances. They're getting traffic in front of the net and they're finishing those chances. It's really helping them win games like you've been seeing during the 17-game winning streak. So I think that was the main reason, again, why the Penguins were able to come victorious tonight, at least in my opinion. But that wraps up this first segment of today's episode coming up in the second segment we're getting to some more individual player performances, especially Tristan Jari, because

He has been a rock lately for the Penguins. But before I get to that, Betonline.net is your number one source for sports betting info, stats, news, and analysis. You can get the latest odds and trends for every professional and average league out there. From pro football to college bowl season at basketball and World Cup, we've got it all at Betonline.com. And if you love sports podcasts, you can even find those at Better Online as well. We're always the fastest and easiest way to get your betting info.

You can head to the website today or use your mobile device to learn more. That has been online where the game starts. All right, I am back here in this episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Honore Hodes. You know, to follow me on Twitter at Honor Hodes. Follow the shows, Twitter, Eleusual Penguins. And, of course, thank you so much for making this your first listen of the day. So let's start off this segment with another shout-out to Tristan Jari.

Again, continuing to play some very good hockey for his team right now. His last 12 games, give you all the stat right here. 10-0-2, 2.4 goals against Avvarez. average, 934 save percentage. Those are world-class numbers. I know he's not wowing some people right now in the goal save above the expected department. He's not top 10 in the league right now.

But with the way he's playing, I think he's going to be in there by the end of the season. But this was the level of play that I saw from him or that I thought we were going to get from him coming into the season. It took a little while together just because start out the season, all right, got bit banged up. His save percentage was kind of in the tank. But since then, you know, this last month, he has been one of the best goaltenders in hockey. He is giving this team a chance to win every single night.

Some of the saves that he made tonight on some of the Panthers players were out of this world. You know, sprawling, diving saves, you know, just being in the right position, getting the glove on it, getting the locker on it. You know, he's giving this team a chance to win every night, especially when it was for just giving this example for tonight, one-nothing Panthers, right? a few minutes in, and the Panthers are continuing to get their chances. They're really pressuring the Penguins in Tristan. He's keeping it a one-goal game because, you know, he knows how this team has been playing as a late, and all they really need is one chance to really get back in the game. And you saw that when the team was able to make it 1-1, you know, they get the power play goal

with Gensel to make it 2-1 before if Kenny Malkin gets his goal, to make a 3-1, and I'll get to him. And Justice Sagan, we're going to talk about some injuries and just that goal overall, because I really liked that goal. but he was able to keep the minute and make sure that they don't go down by a by a multi-go deficit and you know that he bopped him enough time and the penguins were able to find their game a little bit more i thought they were playing fine but they were able to find that game a bit more um after that first goal and or after the latangle i should say short-handed

and boom you know you didn't have to rely on him as much the painters they made it a bit close in the third period they made it three to two uh thanks to yeah what was it making sure it was, yeah, Sam Reinhardt, just making sure. But after that, Jari really slammed the door, made some key saves when he needed to and the Penguins, you know, they were able to come out victorious. But, you know, I honestly think that's another big reason why the team is winning right now is because they're actually getting the saves as well as them finishing their chances, both, you know, on the manor advantage and at 5.5.

We know how good this team is at 5.5. They have one of the best, they're one of the best teams in terms of expected goals, course the scoring chances, high danger chances, et cetera, but they weren't getting the goaltending early on in the season. Now they are, and you're seeing just how dangerous of a team this can be. Now, for a little bit of other somber news, I guess, againy Malkin, you know, gets the goal, obviously awesome. But, you know, Sydney Crosby teased up a slap shot.

You know, you don't ever want to stand in front of a Sydney Crosby. Slapshot comes in, boom, off his right knee into the net. You love that he scored, but he was down on the ice for a few minutes. Had to be helped off the ice by some of his teammates. Really didn't put a lot of weight on that knee. This is a player that, you know, by the way, he needs a break with his knees, man. I mean, he's had two major knee surgeries already. He could remember the ACL.

Then, you know, had his PCL and his MCL on the knee. You know, just give the guy's knees a break. And this is his right knee. This was not the knee. I don't think that was surgery that he repaired on. That was his left knee. But it looks like they did get a little bit of good news after the game. According to Mike Sullivan, he said the initial prognosis was that it was positive.

I did see on social media right after the game, if I can find this tweet here from Dr. Harjas Graywall. So he kind of, you know, he is, you know, he tweets about initial injuries a lot and he is a legitimate doctor. And he said he anticipates this more of being a contosions, a, contusion, excuse me, so that's a bone bruise rather than like a broken bone. He thinks he'll be day to day. That's probably the best case scenario for him at this point. I was usually thinking, you know, I don't want it to be any ligament damage or anything like that, but I don't know if you can get ligament damage from a puck to the knee, but, you know, I also don't want a

broken bone there or anything like that. I don't need him being out longer term anything like that, like that, because he has been amazing for the penguins this season. You know, he's off to a tremendous to start at a point per game pace. The last thing they need, especially right now after the Jeff Petrie and Jason Zooker injuries, last thing they need is another injury to a top player. Now, if I had to guess, you know, I don't know, he might be held out on Sunday down in Carolina against the hurricanes, but I don't think this is going to be super long term. According to Josh Yewee, after the game, he was seeing him walking, you know, fine,

but had a big ice pack on his knee, but he seemed to be walking just fine. So that's very good news. I don't know what comes to Malkin, but really no shot parking himself, excuse me, in a prime goal scoring area right to the side of the net. Puck goes off his knee and in to make it three to one. Jake Gensel, two goals tonight, the first of which made it two to one. That went off his skating in. Some people were thinking it was a kicking motion.

No, it just went off his skate. You know, those goals they count. That's a good balance for the penguins, a bad balance for the Panthers. You know, penguins have gotten, you know, screwed up. on that kind of, you know, bad luck goal so many times a season. It's nice to see the rules reverse there. Then, of course, Gensel was able to finish the game with his second vote with another empty netter.

I believe he is tied for the league. Yeah, it's him and Alexovyching at the top for the league, or the lead, the lead, excuse me, around the league in empty net goals. I don't know why I am just stumbling all my words for some reason. But yes, yeah, the lead. the league lead there we go the league lead in terms of empty-knit goals Jake is now tied um with ovi but you know those were the main players that you know really stood out to me i would say no you know ricard rakel i also will say he was incredible um but i also do want to touch on this just a second um

and end of the game right about a minute left i don't know why paul maurice took took his sweet time pull the goal. We help the penguins. But penguins are in the defensive zone. They're defending the six on five. Before Gensel gets that empty netter, go back and watch what Jan Ruta does. Pins his guy up against the glass, is able to clear the puck out. Spring Gensel. Jake goes right down the center.

Well, right down the right side of the ice, but the puck is kind of cutting towards the center, collects the puck, and then shoots it in the empty net. But just watch that defensive play from Ruta. He was smart enough to know to pin his guy to the boards and was still able to get his stick on the puck to lift it out of the zone to spring Gensel for the put-away winner. A really nice veteran play there by the defenseman. It's easy to see why Mike Sullivan really trusts him on the six on five.

He is one of their better defensive defensemen, obviously. But, you know, he's really been growing into his own so far this season for the Penguins. I really wanted to touch on that. because it's a fairly, it's a play that some people may not notice that much, and some will say it's insignificant. But for me, you know, that was a very significant play. Because if he doesn't make that play, the Panthers are probably still threatening in that situation.

And, you know, who knows if they tie it. But really wanted to touch on that as well. That will do it, though, for this segment after I, you know, just finishing up the player, my individual player performances, still a little more to get. to, though, for this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. But before I do that, so say you're hanging out with some friends and you're putting back a few drinks, a few becomes a few too many, though, as the evening comes to an end and the people start to head out, you think of calling for a ride. Now you live nearby, you can make it home okay. It's no big deal. But what are the odds you'll get

pulled over anyway? And even so, what's the worst that can happen? Your insurance goes up, you lose your license, you lose your job, tow your car, you kill someone. Everyone knows the risk about driving drunk. The results are often tragic and they're often very deadly. However, that still doesn't stop everyone from getting behind the wheel while under the influence. That's why police officers are out there right now looking for impaired drivers on our roads to save lives. So if you think you're okay to drive after your drinks, think again, especially with New Year's coming up in just a couple of weeks, play it safe and plan ahead to get a ride if you want to go out with your friends or family members. It only takes one

mistake to change your life or someone else is forever. Drive sober or get poor. whatever. All right, I'm back here on this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. We're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow the show's Twitter at Elinthral Penguins. And of course, thank you so much for making this your first listen of the day. I really want to just end the show with, you know, how good this team is. This is a wagon of a hockey team. Randy, that is for you. You tweeted that to me. I'm in my mentions tonight on my regular account. This team is an absolute wagon. There's two references for you there. seven in a row, 12 out of their last 14, and all of a sudden,

four points out of first place in the metropolitan division, because the New Jersey Devils have been really struggling as of late. I think New Jersey is a good team. They also don't have a lot of playoff experience. They don't have, you know, this is the first time they've been this good. I've been probably a decade. You know, would not be surprised if one of Pittsburgh or Carolina catches them by the end of the season.

But, you know, this is about to be a big stretch for the Pennsylvania. Penguins. One quick look at the schedule. You all know it. A lot of divisional games coming. Carolina twice. Islanders. Rangers. Devils. They got the Bruins coming up after that. They got the Red Wings coming, a team that has also been improved his season. They got the Vegas Golden Knights as well. This is going to be a very tough stretch for the Penguins. And I can, and that was just off the top. head. If you want me to go fully in order here, Corians. Carolina Sunday. Rangers next Tuesday. Carolina next Thursday. I will be there

at that game. Islanders after that. Red Wings, Devils, Bruins, Golden Knights. Then they finally get a break playing some teams from the West in January, Arizona, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Anaheim and Ottawa a couple times. But that is a brutal stretch of the games coming. Penguins are going to have to run the gauntlet against the metro. We are going to truly see how they stack up. against some of these really good teams in the metro. And yeah, are they going to do it when they're banged up?

Yes, but I think the penguins are ready for it. I think they have shown so far that they are one of the best teams in the league. This is a fantastic hockey team that can run four lines at you and healthy. Their defense is playing really well right now, even without Jeff Petrie and Tristan Jari's continuing to give them good goaltending. Again, I don't know anything going to cup run. I think there's still maybe a piece or two away, especially, get forward. I think they would need someone on that third line, but again, cap space and they just don't

have a lot at the moment. But this is a very good hockey team. I think they have really, you know, just silenced a lot of the doubters from the early part, early parts of the regular season. And, you know, you're seeing it all come together right now. Seven in a row, 12-0-14. The top line is humming Cindy Crosby. It's a heart trophy contend. Senator. Jake Gensel is on pace for 40 goals. Ricardo Raquel has been quite the fit. Ever since Ron Hexel Tradeform, I think that's honestly a top-frey move that he's made. At Gennie Malkin, when he's been healthy this year, which is basically in every game

until now, point for game pace. Jason Zucker, you know, 20 points in 27 games. Brian Russ is starting to turn it around. Rock McGinn is playing the best hockey of his Penguins tenure right now. Teddy Bluger's been, you know, great for getting the penalty kill back up to a five unit power play has scored in seven straight games and they're starting to become you know one of the better power plays in the league and when you have tristan jari performing at a nine 34 level and when you have mike sullivan behind the bench almost almost anything is possible

this team is legit i think you all need to realize that this is a really really really really good team and i know the panthers tonight they are short-handed chuck's not playing hornquist is out Duclair, Lendale Spencer Knight is not in the lineup. And Sergei Virovsky, he was actually playing pretty well for the most part. I don't really think he allowed a lot of Bob like goals against the Penguins. But, you know, they've been, you know, this team's been beating up on a lot of pretty good teams. As of like, you know, that Stars game especially, you know, I wouldn't say they, I guess they, I guess they didn't beat up on them, but they show that they can win a very low-scoring game

against one of the best teams in hockey. And that team just went to Washington in one of two-to-one game there because Jake Ottinger was really good. But, you know, I just think everyone needs to realize just how good of a team that we all have here in Pittsburgh. They're playing really well right now. And bearing a unforeseen collapse at this point, they should be able to make the playoffs by the end of the season.

But that's really what I wanted to end the show with. Just cherish what you're watching. I know some people are going to come in and tell me, oh, Hunter, wait for the playoffs, just wait until April, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I don't pay attention to those people just because, you know, it's just like a miserable way to think, in my opinion.

Like, just enjoy this. Real, I'm serious. Enjoy what you're watching. I get it. It's the regular season. You want to see how they do in the playoffs. But you know what? We've got four months.

We'll worry about that. when it comes around. But just, how do I want to end it, I guess? You know, just cherish what you're watching. They're playing some amazing hockey. The star players are kicking absolute butt. The depth players have been stepping up.

And this is as well-coached a team as, you know, there is in the league. So I really wanted to end the show with that. But again, thank you all so much for listening. For tomorrow's episode, we're going to preview that for Sunday, game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the second game against the Hurricanes the season. The first one, obviously, the Hurricanes won an overtime off of a very, very dramatic ending.

I think that's one way to say it. But that will be for tomorrow's episode. Again, thank you all so much for listening. Hope you all enjoyed it. I'll speak with you all on Friday.