Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - The Penguins and Capitals meet again...

Episode Date: February 1, 2022

The Penguins have one more game before the All-Star Break and they need to take advantage. Hunter breaks down what went wrong against the Kings on Sunday, especially with defending Trevor Moore. Was Crosby to blame on the game-winning goal for pinching? He also looks at Tristan Jarry's performance and how an off day isn't unexpected with how great he's been this season. He breaks down which goals he'd probably want back while also looking at Rust's performance. He then previews the matchup against Washington while also looking at how the team can get Evan Rodrigues back to scoring, and what should happen with Kasperi Kapanen as well.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. 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.

Penguins are in a bit of a funk. They've lost three in a row for the first time in two months. We're going to have a full game recap for the game on Sunday against the Kings. Coming up on today's episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast, plus we're going to look ahead to tomorrow's matchup against the Washington Capitals of Penguins' last game before the Ulster break where they have a full week off. That will be 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 welcome to this Monday edition of the lockdown penguins podcast I'm your host Hunter Hodes and you know to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes you can also follow the shows Twitter at L.O. Arnold Scro Penguins and of course thank you all so much for listening to this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast

and making this your first listen of the day. So the Penguins now since we last talk they lost two in a row now they've lost three in a row this is their first three game losing streak in the last two months. This one, you start things off. I don't think the Penguins played particularly bad. They had two pretty good periods,

but it was the second period that, you know, the game really got away from them. I think to start everything off, obviously Trevor Moore, Trey picked for two goals. That is one thing. I don't care who it is on any team. I don't care if the person's on the Penguins.

I hate Trey picking in hockey. I think it's a cheap way to score goals. He was at the blue line twice for two of his goals. The first one comes in. And nice backhand shot, I will say. Tristan Jari probably should have played that better. He came in. Jari was just too deep in his net.

I think that's one thing that I've talked about repeatedly on this podcast, right? When he's too deep in his net, you know, he's playing scared. And he looked scared on that one and Moore was able to rifle one heck of a backhand top cheese. If he's out a little bit more, he probably, Jari, that is probably makes that save. And then the penguins are not, it's not a. two to one game after that. But the Penguins didn't guard the stretch pass well enough. And then in the third period, when they come back and tie the game,

there's less than seven minutes left. It looks like you're going to get a point. Guess who's cherry picking of the blue line, aka Danny Breyer, part two, except Trevor Moore at least was on side for this one. He was not off sides. And he's just sitting there goes chopped top cheese again on Tristan Jari. I would have liked him to make a save there,

but I'm not really going to kill him at the end of the day just because he's been one of the best bowl thinners in hockey this year. You know, it's just, it's a cheap way to score goals in NHL. That said, also, Penguins got to play those better. You know, if you don't want a player like that to cherry pick for two goals, and he only had four goals coming to this game, play those stretch passes better. You know, Sid, I think, was the culprit for that one because he made an ill-advised pinch. When you have just come back to tie a game and you're playing well in the third period,

you're dominating play, you're territorially, it's all in your favor. can't give up a break away with six minutes left in the game. You're asking for failure and you're playing with fire. And that's exactly what happened. They failed Tristan Dari couldn't make the save. He's bailed out there. He's bailed out this team's butts almost every game at some point this season. But for this one, he wasn't able to do it.

And you know what? Sometimes that happens. And at the end of the day, what are you going to do? They've lost three in a row. It's not the end of the world. They're still in third place in the Metro. They're four points up on Washington. One point behind the Rangers, I believe they stole the game in here.

hand on them right now. Carolina is back to being three points ahead. It's just, you just, you played, like I guess, like I just said, you played with fire multiple times. You lost with it. And then today, you know, you got to learn for men. And for this game overall, you know, the Kings had the edge in a shot of attempts and scoring chances for the king's 54% of the shot of attempts, excuse me, 61% excuse me, 59% of the scoring chances for 8 to 7 lead in high danger, and then 58% of the expected goals. as well. So the better team did win this game. And, you know, the Kings gave the Penguins a lot of trouble this year. The first matchup, I kind of scooted aside, you know, California Road trip. But this one,

I don't really think there was, you know, too many excuses. I know the Penguins have been pretty fatigued, excuse me, and they do look gassed. But the Kings also just played the night before against Philadelphia. And remember, the Flyers broke their 13 game losing streak against that team. And you're telling me, they're going to come in there and go in your building and go up three to one going into the third and you're the one that looks flat for the first 20 to 25 minutes. I don't like that. I'm not going to say it's, you know, embarrassing or horrendous or anything like that, but it's not a good look when a team that played, you know, not even 20 hours before

is going in there and just, you know, making your, just embarrassing you on your home ring for a little bit of it. So whatever, I guess. But, you know, to the good parts at least another big. takeaway that I have, Brian Rust, two more goals. He is playing lights out hockey right now, averaging will over a point per game. If the Penguins are not going to pay him, someone will, and rightfully so. He is going to probably get five times six, five times maybe six and a half on next contract. It's probably going to turn into the next Zach Hyman kind of deal, I would say.

And, you know, good on him. He's having a hell of a year. Maybe a one of those goals he got a little bit lucky. I know one of them, the tying one went off one of the Kings players skates in M-N-A. The other one was just a really nice shot, top cheese. But, you know, he got them back in the game and gave them a chance until the Kings had that breakaway. He was really, really good in this match-up. So, you know, I can't say enough about how great he has been this year. Sidney Crosby, he scored the other goal. He's been really finding his game lately, and it's just, he's continuing to play like a top-five player in hockey. I love the past that we saw from up Gennie Malkin on the power play, which speaking of that, that is heated up to.

I believe they have a goal now in eight out of their last 10 games. That's basically been their offense throughout these last three to four games. The Penguins have not been scoring at all at 5E5. Their lines two through four honestly have gone really quiet. I should say during this three game losing streak, it's not, it's not good to say the least. I'm going to have my thoughts on that. Coming up later on in the show and just to know what the team should do potentially to shake up a line. and, you know, get some of these players that, you know,

perform well earlier season, see if they can, you know, perform better. But, you know, had that ridiculous saucer pass, comes into the blue line, fires it pass, and then Sid, with a hell of a release past Cal Peterson. I mean, he had no chance on that one. They was able to tie the game for a short amount of time. And, you know, those are the kind of little plays that I think people need to, you know, just cherish them because there's going to be a day,

Pretty soon here probably that, you know, the Penguins, they're not going to have players that can do that, especially of Guinea Malkin and Cindy Crosby's caliber. And I know they make it so easy. I totally get that. But, I mean, it's still quite a pass and quite a shot to pull off. I mean, not a lot of players can do that. So just a great play. And, you know, Gennie Malkin continues his strong play as well. I know defensively it's not all the way there sometimes, but, you know, I thought he was pretty good overall.

the Penguins did survive an injury scare. Thank God, Brian Dumlin, did not fracture his ankle again. Remember he did that a few years ago when he was out for a large majority of the season? He came back for the playoffs. Just did not look like the same player. I thought that was history of repeating itself for this one.

Thankfully, he was able to come back in the second period. There's no injury. As of right now, knock on wood. So it looks like he's a full go for the game against Washington, I should say. On Tuesday, you know, I already talked about Tristan Jari a bit earlier. He had an off day.

It happens. This was probably one of his worst starts of the season. The first goal I saw some people kind of harping on him a little bit. I disagree with that just because if you saw the goal there, he fired, I think, yeah, it was I have followed from the far left boards, fires the puck in, and it's deflected off of Sid's stick past Jari. I do think maybe Tristan could have been out of the net a little bit. I think he was playing a little bit deep in there as well.

But at the end of the day, I'm not really going to crap on a goalie who just, you know, he's being hit by friendly fire. I mean, I don't think that's as far. I know Sid what Sid was trying to do. He got a piece of the shot. It just wasn't enough, you know, usually those go, you know, out of play and something like that.

Now, the second goal, as I said, that probably he wants back, was playing way too deep in his net there. He needs to come out and challenge Rivermore a little bit. The fourth one I already said as well, it would be nice if he would have come up with that save. but at the end of the day, as I've already said numerous times in this episode for the first nine minutes, he's bailed this team out so many times this year that, you know, he's earned the right to sometimes have a bad start.

I mean, that's what happens. You're not going to be perfect. Every single start, you know, even Andre Vasselowski is going to get lit up for four to five goals every once in a while. That's what happened with Tristan in this one. He's fine and everything will be fine going into the next game. Injury-wise, Danton Hinen, he is day-to-day right. now with a lower body injury. We're unsure if he's going to play against Washington.

So that's still TBD on that. But I will say I was definitely a bit frustrated just watching the game because, you know, for two of the periods, the Penguins were playing pretty well. It was just, you know, overall, the mistakes they were making were being hit and that they were being put in the back of their net. And sometimes that hasn't been the case of season. They've been mailed out by the goaltender. but, you know, for once as well, they lost the goaltending battle,

and then they weren't finishing their chances themselves. So that's what really happened in this one. You know, that said, I think the Kings are a pretty solid team. I've said it numerous times that they were going to be a playoff team this year. And, you know, Copartar and De Noe down the middle is a really scary one-two punch. You know, they were giving Sid and Gino fits in both games this year. So I think they're going to be a tough out in the playoffs. I definitely think they can definitely beat Anaheim.

They can beat whoever else in the Pacific except Vegas, I would say. I think they can give them a series, but I don't know if they're going to beat them. And the funny thing is the thing is, we see Jonathan Quick in this one, and it didn't even matter. But still have a lot more to get to when it comes to this game. We're going to get into some more struggles with Evan Rodriguez. is talk about what I would do with the lineup and some sort of other few stuff. And then, of course, we're going to preview the game against Washington on Tuesday. But before we do that, it is a new year.

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Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow the show of Twitter, L.O. underscore penguin. So there's been a lot of distort lately about Evan Rodriguez. And, you know, just see all this on social media and message boards and all that. Well, where's Erod gone? You know, this isn't the player that we all saw, you know, about, you know, 10 games ago or some stuff like that. And while I understand that, you know, he was never going to keep up a point per game production. I mean, he has 32 points in 45 games this year. That's pretty good.

I know he has not scored in what, the last 8, 10, 10. games though you know he's been having some playmaking bit by bit it just you know he's been shooting it still just as much was the funny thing the puck is just not going in the back of the net so no people are wondering you know what what he should do with him and all this other stuff in my opinion i think he needs to stay in the top six no matter what with how kisbury captain is playing right now for god's sake the guy was on the fourth line on sunday that goes to show how much Mike Sullivan is upset with him. And I'm going to get to him in a few minutes.

But, you know, with how he's playing, put Rodriguez with Malkin and, you know, whoever else you want on the left wing and see how they mesh, you know, for a longer period of time. Rodriguez, he's been a good shooter this year. You know, every time he gets the puck in the offensive zone, he shoots it to the net. You know, that's the reason why he has 15 goals, which is a career high for him so far this season. But, you know, they just, they got to keep feeding him the puck more.

and they got to keep putting him in positions to succeed. The Penguins have not been doing that a lot lately because sometimes he's been in the bottom six. That hasn't been working for him. And I think a change for what line he's on really help him. I also think he could play a little bit more on the power play if needed. I know the top power play has been really good lately. I was a little bit skeptical. Excuse me, when Brian Russ came back because I wasn't sure how the top power play was going to be.

It's been just out of this world, obviously. It's been one of the best units in hockey. ever since him and Malcolm come back. They've just been scoring it well with that unit. But that's why I want to see with Rodriguez. I want to see him get more minutes, put him in a position to succeed and have him do his thing. I understand that it's kind of been a tale of two seasons with him.

He had that really hot start where it was like, wow, holy crap, he's been one of the best players in the NHL. But now, you know, lately for the last couple of weeks, it's like, okay, you know, was that just a mirage or, you know, just what's going on here? So that's what I think the thing. Penguins need to do with Rodriguez. And if they do, you know, hopefully they'll reap the rewards with that.

Now for Kaspari Kapin, again, he had another dreadful game against the Kings. He was on the fourth line to start. Didn't really come up to have any Malkin's wing that much. And, you know, rightfully so. He's just been really bad this year. His shooting percentage has cratered. Every time he gets the puck, he treats it like it's a grenade. I've lost count of how many times this player.

You know, he has a burst to be going into the offensive zone, right? Stops. Randomly decides to stop, pulls up, and then either dumps the puck in or tries to force a pass, and then it's going back the other way. I'm like, buddy, you are one of the fastest skaters on the team. Use it to your advantage and burn past that defenseman that you. It looks like you are going past. I just, I'm struggling right now because I don't understand, you know, just what's been going on with that.

I don't know if he doesn't have confidence. That could be it. But, I mean, this has just not been the same player. What I would do with him, I mean, I would keep him in the bottom six until he starts producing a little more. And I know some people could say to me, well, Hunter, like, you know, they should put him back on a Malkins line because, you know, that, you know, he can reignite his old chemistry with him from last year. Yeah, they were trying that, but it wasn't getting anywhere. Now, could he be used for trade bait? I mean, I definitely, I think, could see that.

I mean, Ron Hextall really has no loyalty to him. That's the thing he didn't trade up for him. That was Jim Rutherford. So who knows on that front? I know Kappenden is a pretty popular player in the locker room, excuse me. So it could sting in that regard. But that said, you know, I definitely could see Ron doing that and bringing in another board for this team because, again, he has no loyalty to him.

And, you know, I definitely think he probably sides with Mike Sullivan and that, you know, he's just been a really big colossal disappointment this year. So, you know, I'm fine with him staying in the bottom six. If he's not going to produce, you'll put him down in order, you know, if you want to scratch him. But I don't think they're going to do that. That's just, I don't think they're going to put, you know, Redding-Gam's or Horn or Brian Boyle in the lineup if this team ever does get fully healthy for Kisbury. That's just my opinion, though. But, you know, that's what I would do with him at least.

You know, I think he needs to earn his ice time because, I mean, it's just been a total cluster, I think, this year for him. Um, you know, it was also unfortunate that Danton Hinen got hurt when he did. I thought he was starting to play better, though he's also missed quite a bit of like half empty nuts this year. He's cooled off a bit too as he has nine goals right now. Um, started off the season really good, which was great. Um, but, you know, I don't think he scored in the last 10 or 11 to 12 games, um, either,

but, you know, hopefully whatever he's doing with right now, um, is not too serious. And of course, um, Wes, Wesley Euler is going to text me as I'm recording this because he's, he's mad that the West Virginia and Virginia Tech game is on the Thursday night. Well, Wes, you can wait to get my response. Anyways, John Marino has definitely been really struggling this year. You know, I've lost count of times while he's just, you know, he's stunk in front of his own net. I didn't really like his game against Los Angeles either. I thought Pedersen, he was fine.

He's been having a good year. But, you know, the team definitely has to figure out what's going on with Marino and they got to get him some help in the net front, at least. But, you know, that'll do it for this second segment of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Coming up in the third second, we're going to do a full game preview for the matchup against Washington on Tuesday. All right. So we're back here on this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Honour Hodes.

Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. So all this shows Twitter, L.O. Arnold's Four Penguins. So, as I just said, the Penguins, they will get the Capitals on Tuesday. This will be their third of four matchups. Because you remember, these two teams have played. twice in Washington already. The capitals whooped their butts,

what was that, November 14th, 6 to 1. And then about a few weeks later, the penguins went to Washington and whooped their butts 4 to 2. For Washington, there will be no T.J.O.S. So Peter Lavalette said on Monday morning that he is a game time decision. Actually, no, excuse me.

He is weak to week with a lower body injury, it looks like. That's a big loss just because, you know, he's always been, I think, a penguin killer over the years. It's not like Jordan Everly. level, but it's still something where it's like, holy crap, you know, you always got to watch off for him. And, you know, they have that patent play on the power play, even though it's struggled this year where, you know, Baxter loves defeat O'Shey in the slot area. And, you know,

he would always go high glove or memory or whoever was in the Penguins Net. You know, that's just been going on ever since Oshie was traded to Washington. So that's still a big loss for their lines, though. Obetchkin with Kuznetsoff and Wilson, what Ovechkin has done this year is nothing short of spectacular. Twenty-nine goals. 58 points in 45 games. He is probably the leading contender right now for the heart trophy and rightfully so. You're not going to hear me say a bad word about Alex Obetchin unless he does something stupid on the ice. He's one of the greatest players to ever play this game. He's the top five goal score. That's all that matters at the end of the day.

I hope that Caps fans give the same courtesy and respect to Cindy Crosby, but you know, with how long I lived in the D.C. area that's for most of them, that's probably never going to happen. But on this podcast, I'll always respect Ovi. Just a great player and I'm blessed that we always have gotten to see him and Sidgo at it for so many years. They're the two best players of this generation. That said, also great to see Nick Baxter back. I also think he is ridiculously underrated, probably one of the best passers in the game and has been ever since he came into the league.

He'll be playing with Connor Sherry and Daniel Sprong. On their third line, they'll have Lars Eller with McMichael. Carl Hagelin Nick Dowd and Carnet Hathaway on their fourth line. That is probably one of the worst fourth lines in hockey. Carl Haglin is just a shell of his former self. I feel bad that he is still on this team because Caps fans every night from what I see on Twitter, they are just going berserk every time he's iced. So I kind of feel bad at this point.

John Carlson obviously always have to watch out for him. He's a man is the top pairing, great offensive defenseman, Dermitri Orlaw, with Justin Schultz, on the second pairing, and then Trevor Van Reevesig on the third pairing, and then they'll start one of Samsonov or VTek vanecheck. So there's also an interesting story with the Capitals that might. go on here. Elliot Freeman last week linked Mark Andre Fleury to them and then also said today on his 32 Thoughts podcast that it sounds like the capitals are trying to make this work where they're

going to go get Mark Andre Fleury. But the kicker is that Mark Andre Fleury, because he was a penguin for so long, he doesn't want to go play for Washington just because he still has basically that hatred for them. So that's just, I mean, you know, it's basically like, you know, I don't know, Ben Rothesberger of the Steelers being, you know, that they're so bad that the Ravens are looking to trade for him. And that, you know, he's just saying, no, I'm not going to go there and play, you know, for a rival that I've hated for basically my entire career. You know, that that's the same thing with Flurry. And that's, I think, a main reason why it seems unlikely that he would allow a trade to Washington. That's it. Elliot did confirm that Washington is looking into it. They're trying to try, they're trying to get Flurry. but it looks like as of right now, Flurry may not approve a trade there. So we'll always love you at MAF,

but if you do approve a trade there, then you know, you'll be on a lot of people's crapsilus. Well, maybe not, because it would kind of be funny if the Penguins knocked him out of the Stanley Cup buyouts, wouldn't it? I would live to see the reactions from all the Flurry fans in this fan base. That's for sure.

Underline numbers-wise for Washington, though, if I can scroll down here, money puck. 51% of the expected goals this year, almost 57% of the actual goals. They have a plus 25 goal differential, 51.8% of the shot at Tims as well. They have pretty good underline numbers. It's their biggest thing is that one they've been in a funk lately, it looks like, and two, their power play has been terrible.

Going into one of their games this past weekend, their power play was five for their last 58. And think about that. You have the greatest goal score of all time in his office. John Carlson, who's a pretty good powerplay quarterback, Nicholas Baxter, who I know he's been hurt for a good chunk of this year, but he's back and better, he's back and healthy. We've been getting Kuznetsov who's been out a pretty good year as well,

and usually Tujayoshi, but he's been banged up a little bit too, but you can still throw Tom Wilson out there, and there's a lot of talent on that power play, and you're telling me going into the game this past weekend that that unit was five for their last 58. I mean, that is just, that's horrendous. to say the least, I should say. So we'll have to see the Penguins.

Obviously, they have one of the best penalty kills in the league, but you always have to be aware of Washington's power play. I don't care how bad it is. When you have the greatest goal score of all the time in that unit, you have to defend his office, and they still have a good chunk of playmakers and players who can really shoot the puck on that unit. But this is still going to be a good game.

I think it's a pretty big game to the Penguins. You know, it's a chance for them to get out of this funk that they're in. Washington is definitely going to get their attention, and rightfully so, this is a huge rivalry game. And it's also their last game before the All-Star break, so they're going to want to try to go out on a high note. Plus, if they win this game, there'll be six points up on the Capitals going into the All-Star break.

If they lose in regulation, though, only be two points up. And, you know, the Penguins are trying to gun for, I think, one of those top two seats in the Metropolitan Division. But that will do it for this episode of the Locktime Penguins podcast. I appreciate all of you listening to this one, and I will be back on Tuesday for a full. full game recap episode for the matchup against the capitals. I'll talk to you all soon.