Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Penguins getting reinforcements before a BIG game in Philly!

Episode Date: December 1, 2025

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a few roster moves ahead of the Turnpike Showdown in Philadelphia tonight! Hunter and Patrick begin the show recapping the weekend, where the Penguins got an overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets (2:00), and then were crushed by the Toronto Maple Leafs. They first recap the Penguins' first overtime win of the season, and how, despite a poor effort for about 40 minutes, they were able to battle back and get two points. A lot of that effort was thanks to a gritty performance from Bryan Rust (3:49) and another solid start from Tristan Jarry. Then, they look at how goaltending was their undoing against the Maple Leafs (12:48). Finally, the hectic December begins with a game against the Flyers! The Penguins have called up Rutger McGroarty and Boko Imama! (23:00). The two discuss that before previewing the rest of this contest.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!DripDropRight now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order.Go to https://dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.MonarchTake control of your finances with Monarch. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at https://monarch.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. So if you want to be right in the middle of the action this season, visit FanDuel.com and place your NFL livebets all season long.  FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The penguins got a weekend split against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackins that Pat and I are going to break down those two games. Plus get you all set for the Battle of Pennsylvania tonight right after this. 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 podcast. Penguins podcast. I am one of your host, Hunter Hodes. You can follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, joined by my host, Patrick Damp. You can follow him on all social media platforms at

Send him for Wet. You can also follow the show's Twitter at L.O underscore Penguins. And you can follow the show's Instagram at Locked On underscore Penguins. Of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen slash watch today. We are free and available on all platforms. And finally, today's episode is brought to you by Fandall. So if you want to be right in the middle of the action this season. Visit fandle.com and place your NFL life that's all season long. I am back after I was out with my family on Black Friday doing a whole bunch of things. Pat, thank you for holding down the fort.

I was trying to get home in time, but it just wasn't going to happen. My family made sure of that, honestly. But I'm back today, back in the host chair, and back after the Penguins got two out of four points against the Blue Jackets in the Maple Leaf's overall, Pat, four out of six. six points this past week, I think to me, that is a job well done. You wanted five out of six, so a little bit below that, but they still go two and one this past week in games that they needed to have. And let's start with the game against Columbus, because through two periods, the penguins

were getting brutally outplayed, outclassed, outclass in every single way, shape, and form. And then Brian Rust, who had been knocked out of the game, not once, but twice before the third period comes back, gets the Penguins back, and it makes it a three-two game, and then Cindy Crosby with a vintage Sydney Crosby goal. I'm not sure why Jet Greaves allowed him to get the puck. I thought Greaves should have went out there and played it better, but that's a little bit of a rookie mistake from him, and Crosby made him pay. And then the Penguins finally get their first three-on-three overtime win. Thanks to Crystal Tang, great work in the corner from Evgeny Malkin in that one-on-two battle, the way that he was able to kick the puck out, and then, like,

Tang and Novak had that beautiful give and go. But those were two very crucial points for the penguins on a night pat where it didn't look like they were going to get any points with the way they were playing. Yeah, I got, I, I, it's interesting about the Columbus game because you're right, for two periods, they did not play well. They, their effort level wasn't great. Columbus took it to them. but then they woke up in the third period and they were able to battle their way back,

get an overtime win. And it was a game that they won that they probably should not have won. So you can't get too upset at that. As I always say on this show, it's easier to do film study and try to improve after a win than after a loss. So it also evens out because they lost a Seattle game they should have won. So now you win a game you should have lost. Right.

And you also, I also think you look at. and we'll talk about it in the next segment. It was the opposite on Saturday against Toronto. They didn't play bad against Toronto. In fact, I thought they played pretty well, but they just didn't get goaltending, and then they got goal-lead as well. So we'll talk about that later on.

I also kind of want to go away from the game for a little bit for Friday against Columbus because of everything that Brian Russ did. And Adam Gretz and I were discussing this on social media on Saturday morning. I understand the compulsion of wanting to fire or trade or let go of your Brian Rusts, your Ricard Raquel's, et cetera, et cetera, to the highest bidder. Same thing goes for the big three.

I know the compulsion and the desire to want to burn it all down and start from scratch because that's just what we think rebuilds are. But it is going to be a lot easier for your Ben Kindles, Tristan Brose, Rutger McGrady, et cetera. etc to learn from guys like Brian Rust who set a culture like that because that would have been a real easy game for this team to go we don't have it tonight we're done we got we got to play again tomorrow night against Toronto we got to get on the bus or the plane or whatever and head back to Pittsburgh this is a pain in the ass let's just call it and Brian Russ

clocked it and said absolutely not he worked his ass off he battled his ass off and he led this team back to a victory and keeping the culture said it that is very necessary and Brian Rust being the guy to do it. It's not that Crosby, Malkin, Lattang, Carlson won't teach these young guys a lot, but those four are players who are Shorefire Hall of Famers. They are guys who have led teams and been marketable superstars and they were just touched by whatever divine being there is with unbelievable talent, Brian Rust has had to work his ass off to get to where he is. And watching that guy go from late round pick to bottom six forward to penalty killer

to top six forward to option on the power play to leader, a lot of these guys that they're going to bring in over the next few years, that's more than likely their path. So keeping a guy like him around and having him set the culture the way he does, does is going to really, really help this team's rebuild, and it helped them get two points against the division rival. And you saw him really learn from the leaders when he was first coming up from Wilkesbury. Crosby, Malk and Let's hang, we're still very much leaders that's going to remain the case

until they retire as members of the Penguins. And he was able to learn that winning culture. And now that he has experienced it for so long, now he is someone that can pass off his knowledge and his leadership to potentially some of these other younger players who are going to be learning from him and the other core players that are on this team. So I do think you have to think about that as well. And I agree with everything you said. And I know I have been harsh on Rust on this show this year just because it has felt like even though he has produced, he hasn't been playing that well, at least process wise. But he brought the Penguins back into

that game in the third period. Again, he was in and out of the game, not once, but twice, comes back, scores a huge goal to get them back into it before Crosby was able to tie it later on in the third period. But we have said time and time again, the way that he's been able to drag this team back into the fight over the last couple of seasons, even when they haven't been that good, especially last season. And in this game on Friday and Columbus, he did exactly that. So I can't say enough about his leadership still.

Just a really great game from him overall, probably one of his best. of the season. And that's saying something just because, again, process-wise, it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for him. You and I have been on the show have talked about that. And also, when it comes to the culture, losers breed losers. So it's good to have someone like this around. I know a lot of people were upset that they didn't trade him this past off season just because the season that he had, the value that he had at the time. But look at the culture that this is going to create once you get more of these younger players. up here. You don't want to become, you know, even before this year, Chicago or before this year,

like Anaheim, where it takes a long time to get back to being good. Even San Jose, I know they're being better, but it still takes a long time to get back to being good. You want to have that culture in place so the young players can really learn from it. So I agree with you on that. But again, it was just really nice to see this team rally in the third. They had nothing going into that period. and they were able to steal two points away from a team that has been very vulnerable out as of late. I loved that overtime goal because Chris LaTang, there were sequences in this game again, Pat, where he wasn't that good.

But you know what? He stepped up when it was needed and he got the Penguins that big extra point in overtime. I also loved the play of Tommy Novak. Let's discuss that before we get to our second segment. I thought this was arguably his best game of the season. He was engaged all night, set up not just cross. Osby's goal, but Latang's game winner, he was all over the ice in all three zones, especially though in the offensive zone.

He was very engaged. That's the type of performance I want to see more from when it comes to Novak. Honestly, even before that game on Wednesday against Buffalo, I also thought he was much better as well. So he's starting to string together a couple of really good performances. And the process is finally leading to production. Yes. He finally got some help from the guys he's setting up.

up because again, I said it on the show earlier. He, you like a lot of what the process is, but the process only goes so far. It eventually has to lead to something and it's finally leading to something. It was a very smart decision on his part and overtime to dish it back to Latang because everybody sold out who in front of him, Jet Greaves and the defenseman thinking Novak was going to shoot. He recognizes that, dishes it back to Latang. Letang basically has the entire net to shoot at, and we call game on that.

I would also be remissed if I didn't mention, and again, we're going to talk about more about this in the second segment. That was a great game by Jari on Friday. You can look at the three goals against and say that's not great, but the way Columbus played, the way Columbus pressed the first two periods, it could have been a lot more than three. So Jari being able to hold the fort, keep this team in it. give them a chance to come back in the third period in force overtime, that is worth

mentioning. And obviously, we're going to get into it here in a minute, kind of went the opposite way on Saturday against Toronto. But we're not talking about Toronto yet. We're talking about the Columbus game. And he put up a pretty solid performance. Right. And I think he deserves to start tonight in Philadelphia if he is the first goal y' off in the morning skate. We're recording this at about 1140 a.m. on Monday, the Penguins started their morning skate at 1130. So I'm sure potentially during this, we might get confirmation about who the first goalie off is, but in my opinion, Pat, should be Tristan Jari. I think he deserves the start.

I think you may even say he could deserve a little bit more of a runway here because Sheelows has not been playing well his last couple of starts. And speaking of that, Pat, we are going to discuss Archer Sheelovs and the rest of that effort, in quotation marks against the Toronto Maple Leafs, right after this. But before we get to that, we have to tell you all about our first small which is drip drop. When I'm hydrated, everything just works better, my focus, energy, mood, even my skin. That's why I've been using drip drop. It's doctor developed hydration that keeps me running at full power no matter what my day looks like. Drip drop isn't your average sports

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Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code locked on NHL. That is drip drop.com promo code locked on NHL for 20% off. Stock up now before the heat hits hard and keep your body and mind performing at their best with drip drop. All right. We're back here on this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm one of your host, Hunter Hodes, joined by my co-os, Patranp and Pat. I was liking the Penguins effort for a good chunk of this game,

especially in the first seven to eight minutes where they were brutally outplaying the Maple League. but in goal you could tell right away that Shilovs was not on his game he was flopping around like a fish in his crease his movement was awful wasn't seeing the puck very well he was completely out to lunch and that's now two starts in a row where that has happened he has not been good you look at his Sabres engine both of those starts pat the minnesota game and a Toronto game 600 in both games and he's been pulled in both of those games he has not played well trying to fully overreact because I want to see if this is a bad trend. It's two bad games, but I want to see if it turns into a trend, because before

then, I felt like he was having a pretty sound season for the penguins. But right now, Pat, he has given up eight goals on his last 19 shots. It is simply not good enough. He's been really bad since coming back from Sweden, and he needs to find his confidence or they could potentially replace him in this tandem and maybe bring up Marischov at some point later on this year, or maybe even Y'all Blumquist for example. He needs to get back to the game that we saw him play at for most of the season before these last two starts or again, something like that will happen. So I, we have to start

with this game. Arja Shilovs was flat out awful once again. It's, it's not going to be a satisfying answer or a satisfying analysis to just blame it on the goaltender. But that's kind of where this begins and ends against the Toronto Maple Leafs. I mean, you look at the the stats of the game. They out shoot them 35 to 25. Dennis Hildaby played a pretty good game. He made a lot of good saves. He made a lot of saves on shots that look ticketed for the net. So you have to give him credit. And then on the other side of it, Archer Shilovs wasn't good at all. And then Tristan Jari, about 24 hours removed from a pretty good effort against Columbus, has to go in and clean up. And he just doesn't have the energy to do it. And that's kind of the story of the whole game.

The thing that worries me about Shilovs is this. You can kind of see it in the way he's playing right now in that he's fighting it. We had stretches last year where everybody wanted us to turn the microphones on an absolutely filet Tristan Jari. And there were games like last night we did like against toronto where yes it was tristan jari was the problem but there were games where everybody in front of him just no showed and he didn't have a lot of help this wasn't that with archer she loves they played pretty well in front of him there were a couple bad bounces the d zone wasn't tremendous but there were a good few goals where you look at it and go come on man you got to make a save there.

And you look at the rest of the penguin's effort. They, especially the first half of the first period, they're the better team. They outplayed the Maple Leafs pretty badly. And when you can't get a save, I remember saying this funny enough about an early season game last year against Columbus where the team was battling. They were working hard.

They were right in it. And Jari, when they were on the comeback trail, let up an absolute softy, and you just saw the body language of the team go, what do we even do with this? How do we can't counter this? If we can't get a save, we're not going to win. And you could see that to a certain extent on Saturday against Toronto. The team's body language just went, we're not getting saves tonight.

So this one might not be our night. Right. And you were texting me about that during the game where it almost was like, well, we're not going to get some saves. so I guess we're going to, I don't know if mail it in Pat is the right term for this, but I think the players could tell, yeah, I don't think we're going to be getting saved from our starting goaltender tonight. So, and you saw the rest of what happened.

I don't think the coverage in the D zone was that good, but I still felt like Sheelov should have made some of those saves. And you saw the Penguins got right back into the game in that first period after giving up the first goal, Ben Kindle with a little bit of a baseball type. swing on that deflection that was awesome because the thing was right back in it but then bad a few minutes later she loves gives up a howler then gives up another goal then another goal and it's just like okay well it's snowballed from there and by that point when you were down by three goals and tris and jari had to come into the game like it was over by that point you honestly pat they probably

should have pulled she loves before it got to that point like you could kind of tell by the second goal that he didn't have it it were it would not have been the worst idea to start the second period with Tristan Jari. I agree. And if you're Dan Mews, you can walk into the locker room and do that and just say to she loves, hey, listen, ain't your night, kid.

Like, that's going to happen in the NHL. Doesn't mean we're mad at you. It doesn't mean we're suddenly thinking about sending you down. But we can just tell you don't have it tonight. Get your head on straight. Jari, you got the rest of the way. And if it goes the same way, second half of a back-to-back

still, you just, it probably would have been best to send Jari out to start the second and see what happens. I give Mews credit for giving a young goaltender and she loves the chance to work through it. But with how precious points are right now, especially in the Eastern Conference, you kind of have to put that aside and say, listen, we got to find another way to have them figure it out. It can't be in game when points are so precious right now. Right. And especially with the way that Jari has played this year. And you and I have given him a lot of credit on this show for the way that he has played. I think at that point, even though he played the night before, you have to be like, hey, she loves, it's not your night. We're going to put Jari in, even though he played last night because we're in the playoff race right now. We won two in row heading into this game. We need to get points because we know December is going to be hell on earth. And Pat, you and I have been talking about that for the last couple of weeks and starting tonight against the Flyers, more of that in a second.

But I just felt like they pulled Shilovs a little too late. It felt like it should have been after the first parade where you can tell that he just didn't have it. But do you have anything else to add about this game? Big Night for Sid. He, Crosby is, if you are looking at this upcoming homestand here that starts next week after this, this little three game swing they got against the Flyers, the lightning and the stars, you might get to see some history because he is getting really close to beat tying and passing Mario Lemieux for the franchise lead in points.

So if you're looking at the next couple weeks and thinking about going to a game, might pull that trigger here pretty soon because it could be a historic night at PPG Paints Arena. And I will just say other than the goal, I liked his game a lot in both the Columbus and Leafs games. I think that we're entering that part of the season where Crosby realizes it's really starting to matter and he really starts locking in and really starts putting up some big performances.

So that could be a big part of getting through what's going to be a really hectic December for this team. Yeah. And right now, Pat, you look points wise, nine away from tying Mario Lemieux for the franchise record in points and then 10 away from passing. So this is going to happen really soon, definitely in the month of December, if you ask me. And then also, he is now 15th on the NHL's all-time goal list with 641, Pat, needs 59 more to reach 700.

If he does, he'll be 9th in NHL history in all-time goal scoring. And I think he is going to hit 700 by the end of his career. You heard it here first on the Locked-on Penguins podcast. But that's going to do it for this second segment coming up to end the show. Penguins have a big matchup tonight in Philadelphia against the Flyers, and they got a couple reinforcements from Wilkesbury on the way. Pat and I are going to discuss that right after this. But before we get to that, we have to tell you all about our final sponsor,

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I'm one of your host, Hunter Hodes, joined by my host, Patrick Damben. Pat, Penguins Flyers comes your way tonight, 7 o'clock Eastern time in Philadelphia. And yes, people, it is another NHL Network game. I have been getting a lot of complaints from some listeners and some of my friends that a lot of these games are on NHL Network, and I understand your frustration.

I don't have to deal with that here in Pittsburgh because I can just watch the games on SportsNet, Pittsburgh. But I understand the people that are upset because they don't get and then to network and all of that stuff. But Pat, we do have some news to discuss because Penguins made not one, but two call-ups from Wilkesbury after sending Tristan Bros. And Dayton Hinen down on Sunday. They recalled Roccoa McGority and Bocawee Mama on Monday.

And I'll say this for McGority. I still felt like it was going to be around a 10 to 15-ish game mark, but I kind of feel like some of the four situations here kind of force the penguin's hand just because there have been two. many passengers in the lineup. You know, someone like Yon O'O Copan, he's not doing much. DeNaynen hasn't been doing that much. And I think when you see the lineup that it is right now, even with the injuries,

I think the decision makers, the coaching staff, and the management staff are like, okay, I know it's only been five games in a perfect role. We probably like to get Margoody five to seven-ish more games down there in Wilkesbury, but we kind of have no choice and we got to call them up. four goals seven points in five games there is a pretty decent chance that he does not go back down for the rest of the season just because of the way that he was dominated in wilkesbury you saw last week one of his goals it was breathtaking the way that he went right around the province bruins defender short-handed his skating looks even better than it was at the end of last season

which is saying something he is blowing these shots right past the hl goaltenders these goleys don't even stand a chance with the way he's playing and i'll say this for Bokoi Mama, man. His penalty shot goal last week was gorgeous. That was a hell of a goal. He continues to forecheck well down there in Wilkesbury. And it really feels like this game tonight, Pat, especially made for him with the physicality he can bring, the snarl he can bring. He is an upgrade over Yonukopin who really wasn't doing much. And I think Pat, they saw what happened in that last match up in Philly. And they want a mama there, especially for that. But even outside of the snarl and the physicality, I think even if it's just for a couple of games before some of the injured players

start coming back, he's an upgrade over Yonukopening. Oh, agreed. I had, I don't want to say high hopes for Copan, but I thought he would be better than he was. And like you, you hit the nail on the head with the descriptor. He was just a passenger. He was a lot of busy nothing in the lineup. And with the way the season is gone so far, with the way the Eastern conference is shaping up, we don't have time for busy nothing this year we need more and you're right this is going to be a physical game we saw the way the last one went the rivalry at least for now is back on and a mama he's got a little bit of history playing against flyers last year through a pretty big hit and it led to quite a bit of extracurriculars against the flyers so this is no

stranger to him they are no stranger to him and with the chari still out you need, I hate to say it, but it's just the way the NHL is trending back again, you're going to need that physical presence in a game like this. As for McGority, I was with you. I thought it was going to be a little bit longer, but let's call it for what it is. He was playing the game on easy mode in the AHL. And it's very much a, all right, we've seen what we need to see.

You've done what you need to do. We don't need to do this any longer. And the penguins need the help. and Hunter, according to multiple reports, you're going to get your wish tonight because we're getting at MorningSkate, the third line is in all kids line. Ben Kindle centers, Velae Covenin, and Rutger Magrorty.

If I'm Dan Mews, I'm treating that line almost like a top six line. I'm obviously going to give the Crosby and Malkin lines more time, but I'm throwing them out right after. I'm throwing them out in all situations. You know what? you guys are the future of this team, go show us you're the future of this team

and do it against a rival. I have been beating that drum for the last couple of weeks that when McGority comes up, I want him to get some time with Ben Kendall because I think they could have chemistry. And I want Billy Coyvenin down there because I really think this could get him going a little bit more as well as he continues to search for his first NHL goal.

Patty had a couple of good chances against Columbus. We didn't even bring that up earlier in the show where two golden chances were blocked. And it's just like, he looks to the heavens, like, when is this ever going to break? But I think there's a better chance now that he is on a line with both Ben Kendall and Rucker McGority. This is the kid's line I have been wanting to see. I also felt like there was a chance that they were going to put Margoody up with Sid

and Russ just because Kevin Hayes, we all know how Kevin Hayes is at this stage of his career, not a top line player. I thought they were going to maybe move him down a bit further in the lineup. I guess they're maybe just waiting for someone like Raquel to come back later this month and then Justin Brazow as well. But I am stoked for this kid's line. I think this line can do quite a bit of damage.

And I think Kendall's going to have a lot of fun playing with Magrorty and Coyvenin. As for the rest of the lineup, Pat, that you are expected to see. Kevin Hayes with Crosby and Rust, Tommy Novak with Evgeny Malkin and Anthony Manta, as we just talked about the kids line. And then Connor Dewar with Blake Luzot and Boca Mama.

So it does look like Yona Kopenin is coming out. No surprise there is. we just talked about. Voclo Mama will be on the fourth line with Duer and Luzot. I like that Duer and Lazzat are reunited. I think they are both really good together on the fourth line and Amama with his snarl, his physical presence, with his forechecking ability. He's been a really good forechecker in Wilkesbury this year as well,

even outside of that beautiful penalty shot goal that he recently had. I think this fourth line could potentially cook a little bit tonight, but we'll see. But I like it a lot more with I mama on it than Copan him. And then defensively, Watherspoon and Carlson, Shea LaTang, and then Graves with Clifton. So Dumbah's going to come out, and then Clifton is going to come back in, just kind of rearranging deck chairs on that bottom pairing until they figure out what they want to do with Harrison Brunick. Ryan Graves was not good this past weekend. Pat, there was one sequence in the Toronto game. We didn't even bring this up where he had a play to make below the goal line, and it was a time for him to be physical.

He just didn't do it and it led to a goal against. It's like, dude, you use your size a little bit in like two games when you came back up. And then since then, it's just back to what we've seen for the rest of your Penguins tenure. So he is what he is. It's just, it's not going to get any better. And then Clifton and Dunba, again, you're just rearranging deck chairs at this point. Like, they're nothing special. They're trying to figure this out until they decide what to do with Brunich.

But the bottom pair is still going to be a tire fire for a little bit. For sure. And this is, let's, let's not undersell it here. This is a huge game tonight against the Flyers. They are one point up on the Penguins for the first wild card spot. The Penguins can tie the Capitals for third in the Metro with a win. The Flyers could take sole possession of third in the Metro with a win and tie for second if they get the win. And the Flyers, they have been rolling lately, man.

They are on a three game winning streak right now. They've beaten the Devils, the Islanders and the Florida Panthers. and they've won five of their last seven, and they have not outside of St. Louis beaten any real slouches. Like Devils twice, the Panthers, I know they're not the Panthers we're used to, but it's still a good team. The Islanders have been a surprise this year,

and they're getting it from up and down the lineup. They may not have a true game breaker in their lineup. They may not have a true top talent because they're still waiting on, Um, they're still waiting on a couple people like Mishkov to get it together, but he's going to get going. It's going to happen very soon. This is a team that's coming in hot and it looks like it's going to be Dan Vlodar in net for the flyers tonight. He has been good this year. 10, 4 and 1, 2.43 goals against 9.12 save percentage. Penguins are going to have their work cut out for them tonight and it is a big one.

Right. Vlodar has been fantastic. Trevor Zegris has also been great for the Flyers. Nine goals, 24 points, and 24 games. We all know how much of a rat he is, especially when you go back to that last matchup. He's going to do that stuff again, but he's also been great offensively for the Flyers.

So you always have to know wherever he is on the ice. Connectney is close to a point for game. Only five goals in 24 games, but it has 19 points. Owen Tippett has also been really sound this year for the Flyers. Christian DeVorek is having a fine year. Couturee, I feel like he's still going to get a little bit more going, only has four goals, but still has 15 points. And as I said, for Michkov, he is going to get going fairly soon.

So always have to watch out for him as well. But Target's doing a pretty good job so far. Penguins right now, Pat, as you said, you look at the standings. There are two points back, the Flyers, both games, both teams, excuse me, have played 24 games. So if the Penguins can take two clean points, they will tie the Flyers for that first wildcard spot, and they will be one point back of the Capitals. And the Capitals right now have two more games played than the Penguins. So Penguins have some games in hand on some of these teams,

especially Carolina, New Jersey, and Washington. So you got to use those to your advantage, and you need to bank these points because December, as we know, is going to be really difficult. I don't think there's been any announcement as to who the first goalie off is yet from the morning skate, at least not what I'm seeing right now on Twitter. So we have to see my educated guess right now, though, is it's going to be Tristan Jari.

That's who I would start tonight. but we'll have to see who the first goalie off is and who Dan Muses announces. But Pat, I think that's going to do it for this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Thank you all so much for take the time to listen to slash watch this one. Pat and I will be back with a fresh episode

for you all on Tuesday, recapping this game against the Flyers and getting you all set for the rest of the week ahead, especially with this crazy road trip that they have with two more bona fide contenders that they will be going up against. But for Patrick Dam, I am Hunter Hodes. Thank you all so much for taking the time

to listen to slash watch this one. We'll be back on Tuesday.