Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Penguins-Rangers 9/10 more times, right?

Episode Date: February 27, 2022

Bonus episode time! Hunter is joined by Jon Chik of Locked On Rangers as they discuss that outstanding game on Saturday. They go into how the officials lost control of the game, but start out by touching on how this was likely a playoff preview. They go into the scrums that happened after the whistle and how this rivalry seemed to be reignited in a way. After that, a goaltending discussion takes place as Tristan Jarry and Igor Shesterkin stole the show in this one. Will both be Vezina finalists at the end of the season? Is Jon confident that Shesterkin can keep this up? They finally break down the lone goal that was scored and how it was a goal-scorer's goal from Evgeni Malkin. All that, plus much more on this special bonus episode of Locked On Penguins.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 “LOCKED15,” 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!Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. 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.

All right, welcome back, Ranger fans and Penguin fans. We got a special crossover edition with Mr. Hunter Hodes of Locked on Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins, of course, just completing a tense, intense, one-and-nothing victory against the New York Rangers in their first of three matchups this season. Hunter, first of all, man, good to see it. It's been a while since we've done a crossover, and congrats on the win here today. Yeah, it's been almost, I think, a year at this point since these two teams have played, well, maybe like 10 months or something like that.

But it's weird also that it took 50 plus games for these two teams to play for the first time. No idea what was going on with the schedule there. But yeah, man, it was just a great game. Playoff preview for sure. I think these two teams will probably play each other nine to ten more times this year. And it'll probably take years off everyone's lives. But that was just a great hockey game. Yeah, I mean, that's just part for the course whenever it's Rangers Penguins,

especially in a playoff series. But, you know, I will say this too. I think you made a great point there about how, you know, it's surprising how long it's taken for these two teams to play each other this season. But in just one afternoon, a hockey man, like I feel like this rivalry has already reignited. I'm back into it. I can't wait to see them play each other again, especially since the Rangers came out on

the short end here today. But yeah, man, I mean, just a heavyweight matchup today, a lot of physicality, a lot of nastiness after the play. Your thoughts on some of the extracurriculars that we saw in this game here today? Yeah, you know, I don't, I mean, I try myself not to get, you know, too animated. during games, obviously. You know, this one, I definitely felt like I was more animated than, you know, other times. I thought overall the officiating was pretty bad for both teams.

I didn't like how they handled all those scrums at all. Again, both for the Rangers and the Penguins. I think both teams got away with a lot of stuff. But, you know, the thing was, I think, you know, when you're not calling penalties early on in the game to set the standard, this is the stuff that happens. And, you know, there was kind of like a puck battle in the corner. one of the Rangers players basically laying on the ice,

it's almost covering the puck. And then that allows a penguin player to just, you know, kind of take a liberty. And then you have all the players jumping on top of them. It's like, well, if the officials could just do their jobs and blow the whistle there, and none of that is going to happen. You know, some of the four on four stuff, you have one player doing something stupid.

Then you got the retaliation. I mean, I get you're calling both. But, you know, you also let a lot of other stuff go before then. That is saying to these players, okay, I'm just going to take liberties. I'm going to take cheap shots because we can. You know, that that's the standard that the refs are setting. You know, unfortunately, this is the standard that a lot of games are like this. And it's really sad how the state, I think, of NHL fish hitting has gotten in the year 2022.

So, you know, obviously, you know, it's chippy. It's a long, you know, standard rivalry. Just, you know, these teams have hate each other for a long time. It was awesome to see it reignite today. But again, I definitely thought the officials could have done a much better job on both sides because they were just letting a lot of stuff go. And then when other stuff was happening, they were forced to call it,

but you should have called the other stuff beforehand. Yeah, I mean, they kind of let the game get out of hand a little bit. And I wanted to actually talk about that one specific play that you mentioned there with, it was Dryden Hunt. The puck is in the Pittsburgh zone. It's behind the goal line there.

And Hunt's down, like basically on his stomach. And you've got Pedersen. This is probably as animated as I got all day. And it's the only one where, like, I really had a problem with what somebody did. it's like Pedersen cross checks him and he cross checks him again and again and again. And I tweeted something. I think I said something like, oh, I guess the ninth time was the charm there for him to get the penalty.

But yeah, man, just again, a heated, chippy game. And I think, you know, if it is Rangers Penguins in the playoffs this year, I think we're all pretty much in for a treat when that happens. Yeah, I mean, again, you know, these two teams are so much fun to watch. The goaltending battle was awesome. You have two very clear, I think Bezina Trophy finalists, at least in my opinion. I know one of them has had a better season than the other, though I knew the latter obviously got the better of Shostorking today. But that was, it was just, you know, I don't like a lot of one-nothing games personally. Sometimes, most of the time I should say they're boring, right?

Not today. Scoring chances galore. Great goal tending. Both teams were really, I thought, solid defensively. And, you know, this could have been easily a four-three game, five-four, heck, maybe even, you know, six to five with how many great chances both teams had. was just the goaltending was sensational. And yeah, to your point, you know, that hunt play, I was surprised that Pedersen was, you know, not called, I think after the first three cross checks.

Though I think there was a couple other times I think there was a blatant miss cross check. I think it was on, I want to say it was said that, you know, this was not called. And I just stood up and I just put my hands like this. Like, okay, I guess, you know, we're just playing, you know, gulag rules out here like they do in like Call of Duty and stuff. And I just did not understand it. It might have been tried as hunt who you're talking about. I remember it was behind the ranger net, right, and the cross track from behind. Yeah, so Hunt got away with one.

And then I don't know if like the refs thought that, well, give them a couple free shots at Hunt there and then they finally called it later. I don't know. But yeah, it was tried and hunt that did that. Yeah, it was just really. And then, you know, there were scrums every five seconds. And don't get wrong. I know a lot of people like that stuff.

You know, it's old time hockey, as they like to say, you know, back in the 80s and, you know, the 90s and all that. but, you know, I just, you know, I wish there weren't as many stopages because I wish the officials actually did their jobs. And, you know, I'm not someone that usually probably complains about officials too much. I try to, you know, look at the game overall, just, you know, with the players and coaches in mind. But, you know, I just, I thought, you know, it was just really, I think, piss poor in this one for both teams. And every, I think, all the players were getting away with straight up murder, I think, at times. Yeah, it was nasty. And, you know, something else I wanted to ask you about.

obviously the penguins had lost three in a row coming in, but they've really had a great season after, you know, stumbling a little bit out of the starting blocks. But is there anything that you thought the penguins did a little bit better in today's game? I mean, obviously Tristan Jerry was absolutely sensational. But was there anything that they were doing better today that maybe they haven't been doing during this, you know, brief three game losing streak? Yeah, I thought they were defending much better.

The first period was a little rough. They were giving up too many, I think, odd man rushes, got off to another slow start. That's been a really big issue for the last week, two weeks. Mike Sullivan has, you know, touched on that to the local media after the game. He just hasn't been happy and rightfully so. They've given up, coming into this game, you know, this was, I believe, two games in a row that they had given up a goal in basically the opening minute or less. And, you know, they were lucky.

It wasn't a third in a row with how the Rangers were coming right at them in the first period. Luckily, I think Mike Sullivan must have said something in the intermission. I believe it was around the eight-minute mark in the third period where ESPN put up a graphic. And they said the Rangers had a. only had five shots since the first period. The Penguins were just doing a really nice job of taking away the shooting lanes. I thought they were penalty killing really well in that. And that's been an area that I think has regressed a little bit because Teddy Bluger has

been banged up for the last month. He is their best penalty killer. He's so good also at even strength. And, you know, he takes away, you know, at least I think a quarter of the ice at least. And to not have him there has been a much bigger deal than some people have thought it would be. But I thought the Penguins did a really nice job on the PK. against one of the best power plays in the league. Let's be real, that's a main reason I think

why the Rangers have had a lot of success this season is because, you know, Crider's been lethal. Adam Fox is amazing at the point. You have Zabenejad, Panarin. I mean, it's a nasty unit. But again, Jari also made some great saves. But, you know, to sum it all up, I love the Penguins, they just, they did a really nice job, just, again, defensively. And, you know, I was looking at natural statuary, you know, before we started recording, John, Penguins only gave up. two high danger chances to the Rangers in the final 40 minutes. A lot of times that's going to win you games, it did them today. And that just goes to show that when Mike Sullivan has his players humming,

they're a very hard team to beat defensively. They've gone away from that at times a lot lately. But today, this was the blueprint for the penguin success, you know, defending-wise. It's funny you mentioned that. And it's definitely something that I picked up on as well. I thought the penguins defended very, very well down the stretch here. But, you know, the Penguins, you know, Malkin gets the power play goal with about 15 minutes to go. And, you know, being a Rander fan this year, the Rander's best period has been the third period,

which is great. It's a sign of a good team, a team that's maturing. And, you know, there's a little part of me. Obviously, you don't want to give up the goal there. But I'm almost starting to think like, oh, man, we got them right where we want them. We're going to come back just like we always do. But I was, I got to be honest, I was a little bit disappointed. And part of this is, you know, to the penguins credit. But the Rangers really didn't have a lot of grade A scoring chances down the stretch.

There was one or two instances. Mika Zabandaj, I get a couple of chances at the very end. And Hunter, I think we can break down those plays in just a second. But first, got to let everybody know about Bilt Bar. Today's episode of Lockdown Rangers and Lockdown Penguins is brought to you by Bilt Bar. I'm sticking to my resolution to eat right, thanks to Bilt Bar. It almost feels like it's not really a resolution because I actually enjoy eating them. Have you tried the puffs?

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your first listen every day. We are free and available on all platforms. And Hunter, just a second ago, you know, I alluded to the final minute or so of this game. Meek is a bad guy getting a couple of chances. You know, he made a move around the defense of interest and Jerry with yet another great pad save. And then about 10 seconds left, had a one-timer. Were you nervous on either of those plays there with Meku's advantage at, you know, looking for the equalizer there? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.

I was definitely, you know, again, you know, there aren't many times where, you know, I'll stand up and watch, you know, just because it's the beginning of the season and all that. I actually stood up, started, you know, put my hands on my head a little bit just because it just felt like the playoffs. You know, I kind of want May to just come at this point. We're two months away from these. And, you know, they got some pretty good chances there at the end. You know, like you alluded to that chance of Zabenejak. He kind of walked Marino a little bit.

It wasn't his finest moment of the season. I thought Marino at times was good today. That one, he wasn't, you know, Jari had made a massive pad save. You know, and then, you know, the Rangers were able to cycle it around a little bit, get a couple more chances. Yeah, I was definitely pretty nervous. I thought the Rangers could have fired a little more at the net there. I don't think they were, I guess, wasting time,

but I think they should have had more scoring chances than they did. I know credit to the Penguins for their six on five defense. That was a problem earlier on in the season. They've rectified that and then some since. So credit to them there. But I still think the Rangers could have been a bit better there with their offensive zone pressure. Yeah, it's funny.

You know, I don't want to be that guy that's just yelling, shoot, shoot, shoot the entire time. I hate those fans. I can't see it. Yeah, yeah. But like, you know, times running out here. we've had a tough time beating this guy. We got to get this puck toward the net and give ourselves a chance here. They did have one last great chance.

You mentioned the Mika play where he went around Marino there, but there was a play, and I will say this, as a Rander fan, you know, whether it's me or anybody else, Mika has been absolutely lethal from that spot on the left base off circle there, and especially on the one-timer. And with 10 seconds, you know, getting a one-timer opportunity to Mika's advantage, you got to love that. But, man, I got to give all the props in the world to Jerry. I kind of lifted his arm there.

I think it was his blocker arm and just got a piece of it with his shoulder there. Against a lesser goalie and somebody who's not on top of his game, that's going to be a goal, believe me. So all the credit in the world to Jerry on that play there. Yeah, that was a wicked shot. And to your point about Tristan, I really think a national audience finally got to see how good this guy has been this year. I know the Penguins have not been on national TV a lot this year. And, you know, I don't think a lot of teams have it. It's a different deal with NBC.

you know, T&T and ESPN, you know, they'll showcase, you know, every team around the league, you know, not just the same five or six that NBC did, right? But again, I really think, you know, the national audience just got to see what, you know, the Penguins fans and, you know, especially me who covers the team for this podcast is seen in that, you know, he's been one of the five to ten best goaltenders in hockey this year. And he deserves to be in contention to be a vest and finalist. I mean, the amount of saves that he was making throughout that contest, I was like, okay, I've probably never seen him make those kind of saves.

coming into this year, now they just look so routine for him. And credit to Andy Kyoto for how well he's worked with him. He's much more confident in the net this year. He's much more aggressive, challenging shooters like he was tonight. There were multiple, again, you know, odd man opportunities that Tristan was like, you know what, try to beat me. And he just made save after save after save. And he saved their butts, I thought, in their first period.

And honestly, the penguin skaters probably needed to buy them 10 steak dinners after that effort. Yeah, yeah, no, he was fantastic. And, you know, I was actually going to ask you at some point during this recording here if, you know, there is a belief in Tristan Jerry. Obviously, he was an all-star this year. He's having a great season. But I was going to ask, you know, is there a belief that this dude can be a Stanley Cup winning goalie? And he can take the penguins, you know, deep into the playoffs and help them make another run.

But I think I've already got my answer. I mean, it sounds like you guys are pretty confident in him. Is that true? Yeah, you know, I think the confidence builds and builds every day. You know, my listeners are probably getting tired of me saying this, you know, you don't write a redemption story, you know, over a few months, you got to prove it in the playoffs. That's where he screwed up last year. We'll really know how good he is and if those demons are gone once he suits up for game

one. But right now, I think I and a lot of the fans and even the media that cover the team, you know, he just has this confidence and this swagger about him that, you know, none of us had ever seen before. And he's just, he's playing his butt off night in, night out, saves them all the time. He was fantastic today. And I'm definitely really confident in him. Though, John, you know, I got to finally watch Igor Sesterkin for a full 60 minutes.

I tweeted this during the game. It is crazy how you can have the best goaltender of the generation in Henrik Unquist. He retires. And then his clone basically comes into the net and is like, okay, I'm basically just Hank 2.0. And the saves that he made today, I was like, I mean, I'm just, I'm getting literally Hank fives because he was just stealing the show. And, you know, I know he's basically done that all year. I've looked at the numbers. He's number one in goal state above expecting.

He's basically playing at a 940 pace. You know, how confident are you and him moving forward that he can keep this up? I mean, I have all the confidence in the world in him. And I was very bullish on him even before he ever made his NHL debut because Hunter, if you go back and you check out some of the stats that he put up, both in the AHL and in the KHL. And I realize, you know, that's a step down from the NHL. It's not the same. his numbers are just video game-like.

I mean, they just defy all expectation. The KHL, he had a goals against average that was barely above one. And again, I realize he's not going to be able to do that in the NHL. No goalie that's ever lived is going to be able to do that in the NHL. But somebody that's putting up that kind of numbers there, I don't care what kind of hockey it is or what level it is. That's extraordinarily impressive. And it's going to translate to success in the NHL. The Rangers themselves kind of talked him up.

They were very high on him. And, man, he is not disappointed. I mean, I kind of see how he missed the All-Star game. I don't really think I agree with it. You know, the Rangers had three other people that were voted in. Obviously, your guy made it and Freddie Anderson made it. And they're having fantastic seasons too. There's some seriously good goalies in this division.

But, yeah, I mean, him not making the All-Star game. And I think he's got to be the front runner for the Vesna. And, you know, I wouldn't be stunned if he at least got a couple of votes for the heart. I mean, everybody wants to talk about how, oh, man, Igor carries the Rangers and the Rangers aren't such a good team 5V-5. Well, if that's all true, then I mean, we got to give some props to this goalie here. And he's got to at least get some consideration. You know, I don't know that he'll win it, but I think the debate at least should probably be had. Speaking of that, you know, there were some in the national media on Saturday saying,

hey, you know, his hard trophy campaign should start today. And he was that good. Yeah. No, I was texting with my buddy, you know, who was a Rangers fan. Shout out to Nick Zararis, who I had on the pod on Friday. And, you know, he basically said, you know, next goal wins because both goalies were sensational today, you know. And speaking of that that basically did happen with Hvgeny Malkin getting the power play goal. But yeah, man, I mean, you know, I know the Rangers don't have good 5-5 numbers. They're

expected goals for and expected goals against our bottom third of the league. You know, their goaltender has obviously been awesome this year. You know, I did want to ask, John, you're just watching this game. Are you concerned with those numbers being in the bottom third of the league? Because, you know, I know how good your top line is. I know how good Artemian is. Adam Fox, I think, is the best defenseman in the league. He's going to be going to be one of the top, if not the top defenseman in the league for the next decade. Are you concerned at all about, you know, the bottom half of the lineup or anything for the second half of the year going into the playoffs? Yeah, I mean, I would say there's slight concern.

And I was actually, a listener sent me an email. And they asked me some kind of question about 2014 and, you know, the Ranger team that went to the finals. I don't remember exactly how we got to talking about this. but, you know, I was, I made the point that it's a very differently constructed roster right now than it was back in 2014. Because if you look at that 2014 squad, the team that went to the finals, it almost was like an entire roster of second line players. They didn't necessarily had that one or two big time superstars other than Henrik Lunkwis, obviously. But as far as the forwards are concerned, didn't really have those superstar players, but they had depth.

It felt like, you know, they could roll all four lines and anybody could get you on any given night. And this team is a lot different because you see, you know, they've got superstars like Mika Zabajad, Artemi Panarin. You mentioned Adam Fox. I would throw Chris Kreider into that, especially this season. But then you look at, you know, their third line and they don't really get much of anything out of their third line. And in the fourth line, you know, they play like fourth liners.

You don't really expect them to score. They got a goal the other net against the capitals, which is cool to see. But, you know, they do bring some value in terms of just going out there and hitting and setting a physical tone. I thought, you know, certainly Ryan Reeves is very noticeable in this game. here today. But yeah, I would like to see them, you know, out of depth piece or two, specifically at right wing near the trade deadline. Right wing is a position where they are really hurting. I mean, Alexei Lafranier is playing right wing now. He's naturally a left winger.

Capo Kako is going to be out for, you know, close to at least a month more at this point. And, you know, Dryden Hunt's playing on the second line. And, you know, Hunt's a hardworking player, but is he a top six forward and somebody that can best take advantage of playing with Artemi Panera in the way that a lot of other guys could? I would say no. So So that's an area where they need to improve. I can see them adding a couple of depth pieces. And, you know, Hunter, I definitely want to ask you about the penguins potential approach at the trade deadline.

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Bet Online is your source for hockey, boxing, and UFC odds. Head to the website today or use your mobile device to learn more about the trends and action. Bet Online, where the game starts. And Hunter, as I mentioned just a second ago, man, obviously, you know, the trade deadline is coming up. And you look at the Eastern Conference, it's kind of crazy because the eight teams in playoff position have a good amount of separation from the other eight. teams. I mean, you never know what can happen. What's that?

It's basically locked up almost. Yeah, I always stop just a little bit short of saying that just because you never know, you know, one team slumps and one team catches fire. It could maybe change. But yeah, I think these might be the eight teams. I think you might be right about that. And you know, I'm just wondering, man, we've seen the penguins be aggressive at the trade deadline in years past and obviously Crosby and Malkin getting into their mid-30s.

I mean, could you see them full on pushing the chips in? Let's go out and get some big time impact players. I mean, what do you think the strategy is going to be for them? Yeah, I think they should. And, you know, I know it's against Ron Hextall's DNA to make a big splash, you know, Jim Rutherford. He used to do that all the time because that's who he is. He loved making trades. You know, Ron, he's literally the antithesis of Jim Rutherford.

You know, he's very patient. He's not going to make a panic move or, you know, oh, you know, we won this game. I'm just going to go out and make a trade. You know, he's just going to assess everything, you know, and just, you know, he just wants to see where the team is at. And I think if they're going to make a move, it's probably going to be right before the devil. headline. I've seen some fans say, well, they need to go out and get a defenseman. See, I disagree with that because, you know, my good buddy, Danny Shirey of DK. Pittsburgh Sports, you know, Mike Matheson was out today. He'll be week to week.

Mark Freeman stepped in. And, you know, I'm of the opinion that POJ, P.O. Joseph, of course, should get some more playing time. They've got to see where he's at. He's played really well, down on Wilkesbury. You know, Mark Freeman comes in. He played almost 12 minutes at 5B5. He has 14 shot attempts for one against 98% of the expected goals. you know, they're fine defensively. It's at the forward spot that I really think they could use another body. Caspari Campin has been on an island this year. This is not the same player that we all saw last year.

And, you know, we kind of have this thing on, you know, social media and other places where, you know, he'll always come into the zone and, you know, we'll say, oh, five bucks he does this. He basically will come in, stop, kind of curl back, drop the puck off. And then it basically goes the other way. He's not using his speed to the advantage. engine. We're like, oh, well, we just lost five more dollars because he just continues to stink up the joint. So I think they need, personally, I think they need another top six winger for Hagen's line. I love what SIDS-Lyne can do, Danton Hinen and Hinen and Hennie Malkin have been really good in a short sample this year. But they keep cycling out that

winger, that right winger for his line. And if they can go on and maybe get, you know, Brock Besser, Connor Garland, J.T. Miller, you know, if Jalas falls off, Joe Pavellsky or something like that. You know, I really think that would strengthen the team. And, you know, I know some people will say, well, the future this, the future of that, you're trying to get your fourth one and, you know, again, be the best dynasty of this era. I don't really care about, I don't really care about a first round pick. You know, we'll have to see if Ron does. And I know Brian Burke has said, we'd like to keep it. But at the end of the day, that's also just GM speak. They're going to do what they think is best for the team. I think that's the main thing we need to go and get in.

Of course, a backup for Tristan. He can't play every game down the stretch. Casey DeSmith, has not been good enough. So if they can go out and get a veteran to play behind him for, you know, maybe a mid-round pick or something like that, I think this team would be cooking, really cooking in the right direction. Yeah, and I think at a certain point, you know, if you're a member of the Penguins front office, I mean, specifically the GM, but, you know, really the whole organization,

you owe it to these guys. These guys have gotten you, there's players that have been there for all three cups. I mean, forget about building for the future. You figure that out, you know, in the future, that this isn't, you know, a team of aging veterans that's never going to, you know, possibly be able to win you a Stanley Cup. They've already got three and maybe they can get you another one if you get them a couple pieces at the deadline. Yeah, for sure.

I don't really know what they're going to do. And they may think, whoa, the answers are in house, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But, you know, I know what they should do. It's just a matter of will they actually go out and do it? You know, last year they went out and got Jeff Carter at the deadline. Ron Hexol said at the time, we owe it to these players because, you know, they've earned this acquisition. it. Well, I feel like they've earned an acquisition at this point in this season. They're second in the division. They're still kind of making a push for first.

I know Carolina is red hot lately. They also have a few games in hand on the penguins. I know the Rangers have two in hand on them if I'm not mistaken. But I still think Hextall has to owe it to these guys and give them, you know, at least one more big cup run. Malkin and Letang are up after this year. I think Malkin's definitely going to come back. Lettang, I think he will, but it's not going to be as easy just because of how good he's been. But, you know, again, I really think just he owes it to them to just, you know,

they go all in at least one more time. Absolutely. And, you know, you mentioned something that kind of remind me of a situation that the Rangers are in. You know, there are certain fans that think like, oh, you know, they could really use a defenseman, that being the Penguins. But, you know, I've heard similar chatter. Jacob Chickren's name comes up every now and then as it pertains to the Rangers. And, I mean, I realize he plays on a terrible team, but he's like a much.

as 26 this season. And again, I know that's a flood stat as well. But it's not like he's exactly, you know, setting the world on fire. He's under contract for, I think, like, four and a half million for the next three years and the Rangers are going to be a little tighter against the cap, you know, after doing all these extensions this offseason. But I'm with you, man. I think, you know, what the Rangers need. And it looks like the Penguins are in a similar situation too. You mentioned Casperi Kappaninan has been struggling, you know, just a depth forward. Maybe somebody that can play like on the second line, third line, something like that. And for the Rangers, particularly a right winger. I don't know why.

I feel this way, Hunter, but I have the, and you know the penguins better than I do, but I just have this gut feeling that J.T. Miller, because I would be interested in a reunion, you know, if the price is right, I feel like he's going to end up on the penguins. And I don't know why I feel that way. Do you see a fit there at all? It does make sense, you know, don't forget the fact that he is a Pittsburgh kid. So, you know, he's kind of playing for, I guess his hometown team in a way, you know, they can put them on Malkins, you know, right wing.

And now, I know it's, I'm pretty sure that's his offside, right? Right, John? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I know that would maybe be a little weird, but, you know, Hyman's been really killing it on Gino's left side. So it's just, it's that right side that they really need to fill. You know, I'm not sure if Caponin's even going to be on the team after the deadline. He's just been that bad this year. It's just, you know, that I think has actually trumped the need for a backup goaltender.

For a while, you know, while I was like, okay, you know, just go get a backup. You know, Capon's going to turn around. You know, that hasn't happened. And, you know, to your point about Chickren, you know, I know I also don't look a lot at plus minus. I think it's usually a useless stat, you know, but minus 26. It is pretty bad. But, you know, again, I will say Arizona is, I think, up there with Montreal with probably

the worst team in hockey. So I feel like if he does get out of there, that plus minus will go straightening up. And I think his numbers overall will really just rebound. You know, he's probably the best defenseman on the market. Whoever gets him is going to really strengthen their defense. because I was, I think, watching New Yorkton. And I was like, you know, I love Fox. Lindgren's not bad, too.

I like what Keandre Miller does. But I do think maybe they need another guy back there that can help move the puck in a way. Possibly, possibly. Braden Schneider got called up not too long ago and he's played very well. He's played about 12 or 13 games at this point, I think. When Patrick Nemith has been in the lineup and all the best of the Nemith family, he actually just became a dad. So that's pretty cool.

But he's scuffled a little bit this season. The Rangers brought him in to be. kind of like, you know, just a decent veteran player, a more experienced defenseman because they're obviously very young on the blue line and somebody that kind of just hold it down on the third pairing. I do think at times Ranger fans have been a little tough on him, but I mean, I got to be fair here. He has not played all that well this season. So maybe Zach Jones, who played today, maybe he's the answer. He was a former third round picked by the Rangers. So they got a lot of different ways they can go. But again, you know, if I'm going to prioritize something

at the deadline. It's definitely right wing over defensemen. But, you know, there is something else I got to ask you about Hunter. And this is getting to be old news at this point. But the whole Brad Marchand, Tristan Jerry thing, I mean, Ranger fans and Penguin fans, we got a common enemy here. Because believe me, we don't like him either. You know, he had that whole incident with Panarin earlier this season. And, you know, just generally how he carries himself out there. But, I mean, what was your takeaway watching that? It was just ridiculous. He's a, you know, he's a troll. That's what he is. You know, he literally is just. he likes to screw with people.

I was going to say another word. I'm not going to drop the F bomb on this podcast, but I think he knows where I'm going with. That's what he likes to do with people. And, you know, a lot of times it works. A lot of times it also doesn't work. And, you know, it was just, it was Bush League stuff. You know, you're going after a goalie just because you're mad,

your team lost. There's no excuse for that crap. I think the suspension should have been for more. I saw some weird Bruins fans defending it. I'm not really surprised because, you know, just that's the regals. But, and I know how talented Brad Marchand is. Don't get wrong.

He's a top 10 and top 15 player in the league. But you can't keep doing that kind of stuff. You're costing your team. Bruce Cassidy even said after the game of the time, you know, that's just his emotions got to the best of them. And, you know, he screwed our team there. And he can't keep doing that. And he's going to learn this lesson.

He didn't even defend the action at all. So, you know, I'm sure it's not going to be the last incident, Brad happens with him. Well, that's it way. I'm sure it's not going to be the last incident that he's involved. in, excuse me. But, you know, it was just, it was Bush Lee crap and, you know, he got what he deserved. Fair enough. Pretty much my sentiments exactly.

It's funny because I actually had a listener asked me to comment about that because, you know, Marshaun and the Rangers have been mixing it up over these past couple of years. But I was just, I pretty much said what you did. I was just like, I mean, what do you even expect at this point? You know, it is what it is. But, yeah, Hunter, listen, man, this is a ton of fun as it always is. Always good getting together for these crossover episodes and got a couple more matchups in the regular season, maybe even the playoffs as well.

And as long as you're up for it, man, I'll do some free games. I'll do some post games, whatever you're up for. Absolutely, man. Yeah, we'll keep knocking these out. And I think right now with how Carolina is going, with how Washington's receding, these two teams, I think, will play in the first round. It's just a matter of who gets home ice.

Yeah, I'm with you. So Ranger fans, Penguin fans, thank you guys for tuning in, and we'll see you next time.