Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - The Penguins are home for another weekend back-to-back!

Episode Date: March 20, 2026

The Pittsburgh Penguins will welcome the Winnipeg Jets and the Carolina Hurricanes for yet another weekend back-to-back. Hunter and Patrick begin the show by getting you set for the first game of the weekend against the Jets. (1:10) Despite a hot start, the Jets have cooled off, and it's a chance for the Penguins to take advantage of a team that's likely not going to make the playoffs. Then, for the third time in three weeks, the Penguins will take on the Hurricanes. How can they get a win and split the season series overall? (13:37) Finally, Fan Take Friday returns, and Hunter and Patrick react to your takes and your questions! (23:10) Everydayer ClubJoin the Everydayer Club for ad-free audio, access to our group chat on Discord, and more. Use code DEADLINE ahead of the trade deadline for one month free. Tap here to learn more: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! QuoMake this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go tohttp://Quo.com/lockedonnhl. Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Robinhood You’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood. Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   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.

Another big weekend back-to-back looms for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Pat and I are going to get you all set for the matchups against the Winnipeg Jets and Carolina Hurricanes 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 the Friday edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm one of your host, Hunter Hodes. You can follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes.

Joined by my co-s, Patrick Damp, you can follow him on all social media platforms at Sendin for Wet. You can also follow the show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. And you can find us on Instagram at Lockdown, underscore Penguins. Of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen slash watch of the day. We are free and available on all platforms. And finally, today's episode is brought to you by GameTime, down the GameTime app, create an account and use code, lock.

on for $20 off your first purchase. Pat, the penguins are finally back home after a five-game road trip in almost two weeks on the road total. They'll play three straight games at PVG paints arena and four of their next five. So if you are going to any of those games, please get loud. These are virtually playing games to the playoffs. These games are so big. We want that whole nice advantage for all these games

so the penguins can try and get into the playoffs. I want to see a playoff like atmosphere to end the season here just because of how big these games are. The Penguins will play Winnipeg on Saturday, and we're going to talk about back coming up here in a couple of seconds. In the second segment, we're going to discuss the Sunday game against the Carolina Hurricanes, round four against the hurricanes this year. And then to end the show, Fan Take Friday, one of our favorite segments returns

where we react to your takes and your questions. Real quickly, though, Pat, the standings continue to be just nuts, man. like outside of really Carolina and Buffalo, those two are definitely playoff locks. And I will throw Tampa Bay still in there. I know you won't just because of where they are. But to me, even though they only have 86 points. Well, I will say this.

Tampa's got 88 now. And they're on a two-game winning streak. And they're four points up on Montreal, barring some kind of disaster. I'll put them in that lock category now. when we talked about that about two weeks ago, they were right in the thick of it. They were struggling.

They had injuries. They've righted the ship. They're right back to where they should be. But yeah, I mean, this playoff race is insane. The only help the penguins got last night was a crazy ending to Islanders, Ottawa, with the islanders dropping that game in regulation. Started the day in third place in the metro. Now they're out of the playoffs.

That's how tight this is. And here's the other crazy thing. Yeah. Penguins are in the same exact spot. Yep. Because they've got 84 points. They are in second in the metro. Suddenly Columbus is a point behind them with 83.

Boston is behind them with 84 or tied with 84. The Red Wings are tied with them with 84. The Islanders have 83. It's getting tight. Six teams separated by a single. point in the standings. I don't think I've seen a race like this in quite some time. I think it's going to go down to the wire. And yeah, I will throw Tampa Bay in there with Buffalo and Carolina. I think they are at playoff lock, in my opinion. I think they are going to get it done. This is a

veteran team. I think when they are fully healthy, they are the best team in the conference. I really like the way the lightning have played this year. So I think those three pat, those are locks. Everyone else, we don't know what's going to happen. And hell, maybe all. Maybe I'll Ottawa could potentially still play their way into it. They kind of saved their season with that win against the Islanders last night. If they lose that game in regulation, I think they're cooked overall. That was a really big win for the Senators. But yeah, that was the only help the Penguins got last night.

Columbus, I don't know if they're ever going to lose again. They're on 11-game point streak right now. They continue to just go nuts. They're only one point behind the Penguins. The Red Wing's got a big regulation win over the Canadians. The Bruins crush the Winnipeg Jets. And speaking of that, Pat, let's get into the game. against the Jets. This will be the second of two meetings this year against Winnipeg.

That first matchup came a lot earlier in the season when both teams were off to really good starts. Remember, Winnipeg was one of the best teams in the league to start the season before they just fell really far down the standings. They have not been very good this year. And have they kind of played their way back into it as of late? Sure. But that's only because the Western Conference standings are flat out awful. They are 28 and 29-11 for 60. points. They're five points out pat.

Again, the last wild card two spot right now in the West has 72 points. You're probably going to need less than 90 points to get in in the Western Conference. Compared to the East, where you might get 98 points, and that might not be good enough to get into the playoffs. The discrepancy between the two conferences this year is nuts. Again, this is not a good Winnipeg team. They're in the bottom half of the league in terms of shot, temps per 60 minutes, they're 23rd and that one at 5 on 5.

25th and expected goal share. Their 19th and actual goals. They still have some players that can hurt you. Of course, Mark Schifley is having a great year with 31 goals and 83 points. Kyle Connor has also been fantastic with 31 goals and 78 points in 68 games. Gabe Valardi has 26 goals and 56 points in 68 games. So those are the three big ones, Pat. Josh Morrissey, also one of the most underrated defensemen in the league.

Outside of those three to four guys, they're scoring really drops off. If you can really stop those three to four players, Penguins will have a good opportunity to win this game. Even Connor Hellebuck this year, at least in Winnipeg, has been more human. He is top 20 in the league and goals of above expected with 8.1 overall. We all know what he can do when he's on. We saw it at the Olympics. So you never know. He can turn into God-mode Hellebuck whenever he wants. But at least in terms of the NHL season, he hasn't been as good. But he's also not not getting a lot of help in front of him.

Yeah, let's start there with Hellebuck, because the way I'm going to frame this is going to make it sound like I'm doing a talk radio hot take about actually Connor Hellebuck is bad. No, I watched the gold medal game. He's arguably the best goaltender on the planet. Yes. But what boosted him in Winnipeg was they played a very stingy style. They played a very disciplined style.

You combined that with how good of a goal. Connor Hellebuck is and you get the Winnipeg teams you've had the past few years. This year, not as deep defensively, not playing as disciplined. And Connor Hellebuck can only do so much. And this team doesn't have a ton of scoring. They're struggling to defend. And again, Hellebuck is only capable of so much. He's not going to be able to go down the ice and score for them.

They can't score goals. They can't defend. he's going to make as many saves as he can, but eventually he's going to get beat. The other problem that really sucks for Winnipeg right now is, yes, they are in the Western Conference, which is pretty weak, but the problem is,

we're in the race, Pat, in the race, right? But here's the other problem. They're in the stacked Central Division, and the Central Division right now is Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, all three are the only, teams in the West with 90 or more points and they ain't going out of those three spots. So if you're a team in the West, especially a team like Winnipeg, you've got to make it into

the wild card. And right now, they're five points out. And that's going to be a really difficult hill for them to climb because they've got to catch San Jose. They've got to catch Nashville, Seattle, and then one of Los Angeles or Utah. So they have, played better post-Olympic break, but combined with being in the toughest division right now in the NHL and digging themselves as deep of a hole as they did, they're not completely cooked, but they're close.

I mean, Kevin Shevold Dayoff kind of wave the white flag at the trade deadline with some of the moves that he made. I think he knows it's probably not in the cards. This year, they'll have to have some questions about what they're going to do with the roster over the offseason. Again, they have some really good high-end talent.

They have the goaltender who, when he's on, he's arguably the best goaltender in the league. They have some really elite scores, especially again, Kyle Connor. Shifley's had a great year. Gabe will already always have to be on high alert for them. Their special teams, though, below average. Their penalty kill is a little below league average. Their power play is towards the bottom of the league as well.

So the penguins do have two pretty big advantages there. But this is what it comes down. to you for me, Pat. This is a team that is lower than you in the standings. You are playing for more right now than them. Technically, you're right. They haven't been eliminated from playoff contention, but it's, again, it's not in the cards probably for them. For you, a couple of bad games, or even just one bad game, you're on the outside looking in. Just ask what happened to the New York Islanders on Thursday. You also have a game in hand on them. You win that game, get two clean points, you're three points up, and if the Islanders lose,

because they do play Montreal on Saturday, that is a huge game for both teams. Say the Islanders lose in regulation, you're three points up, and you still have that game in hand going into Sunday. I think the Islanders also play on Sunday. I'll have to double check. I know the Penguins do, of course, but you have an opportunity to potentially start creating a little bit of separation between you and the Islanders, or maybe whoever it is that is chasing you.

I will continue to reiterate to everyone. The Penguins tiebreaker number right now is really good. 29 Regulation wins. Regulation wins is the first tiebreaker. As long as the Penguins keep stacking wins, even if teams behind them win, they have to pass the Penguins. Like, even if the Penguins tie them, they're going to get the tiebreaker just because they've been really good in games decided in regulation this year. So I just want to reiterate that to everyone. But for me, Pat, overall, I want to see two points in this one.

I think you got to have this. For sure. This is the other side of the coin coming out of this hellish road trip in this hellish month that they're in. We looked at the road trip and we said, all right, you got six of a possible 10 in less than ideal circumstances. You didn't have Gino. Didn't have sit until the final game. And the thing about that is we looked at that and went, all right, if you're a contender, you got to go into this five-game road swing and put up some points.

You can't lose every game. You can't get dog-walked. You got to get more than half of the available points. The other side of that coin is when you go and play teams that are out of the playoff picture, teams that are struggling, you can't no-show. Yeah. And combine all that with how little of a margin for error there is right now in the playoff race, Saturday is a game.

You should, and you should win and you need to win. I agree. And just because I wanted to look it up for the notes today, Sunday is Columbus versus the Islanders. So whoever wins that game, I just hope it only results in regulation. I don't need to see a three-point game. I don't think any team that's in this race wants to see a three-point game. But based on how this race is going, that's probably how it's going to go. Probably, yeah.

But I think that's going to do it for this first segment. Coming up in the second segment, it's time to preview Penguins versus Hurricanes round four. And that's coming up right after this. But before we get to that, we have to tell you all about our first sponsor, which is Game Time. There's nothing like being in an NBA arena, the crowd, the energy, the moment getting tickets, though. That part hasn't always been so simple. And that's why GameTime has become the go-to app for scoring tickets fast without the hassle. It puts the advantage back where belongs with the fans.

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create an account and use code locked on for $20 off your first purchase. Download the GameTime app today. And remember, it's gametime.co, not gametime.com. All right, we're back here on the Friday edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm one of your host, Hunter Hodes. That's my good friend and co is Patrick Damp. And here we go. Round four, Penguins Hurricanes on Sunday, another afternoon game.

This time, it'll be the hurricanes waiting for the penguins here and not the opposite of what we saw this past week, where it was the Penguins waiting for the hurricanes in Raleigh. Hurricanes come home when that game in overtime. Penguins will be playing the day before. so Carolina will be in Pittsburgh waiting for them on Sunday. Another big game for the division. The Penguins will bring their crazy divisional point streak into this pad.

It really is not seeing them on an 18 game point streak against Metro divisional teams, man. It just doesn't even feel real saying that. But again, that's a big part of why they are where they are in the standings. I don't feel like I have to give too many keys for this game because we've been previewing a lot. of Carolina games. I think everyone that's been listening to slash watching this show as of late knows where I stand on the hurricanes. You have to box them out, force them to be the outside, make sure they're not getting their deflections on the point shots. I want to see the power play obviously be a lot better. I did not like the way the power play played against the hurricanes

earlier this week where the hurricanes were really using their power kill just beautifully. like the penguins just could not adjust to it. So if there's one new key, I guess, it's going against that. Todd Nelson kind of making some adjustments there overall. And now you have last change. Now you have them on home ice. The penguins,

they beat them to a pulp earlier this season at home. That was one of the penguins' best performances of the season, the way they play defensively against Carolina. You're going to have to repeat that here against this very stingy hurricane team. I know it's going to be a challenge. just because you're on the second half of a back-to-back. But even a point in that game is huge.

I think if you can come out of this weekend with three out of four points, I think you're sitting pretty going into yet another big week as being closer and closer to the end of this gauntlet of a month. For sure. And three out of four this weekend would be as close to ideal as four out of four because we know how tight this is. We know how little the margin for error is. And I'll get to Carolina here in a second.

but you look at the next week and a half ahead. You are going to play in the last two weeks of the month. You are going to play Ottawa, the Islanders, and the Red Wings. Those are all teams as of right now that you are locked in this jam with, that you are locked in this playoff race with. So getting these points now is even more important because let's say Colorado decides they want to get their lick back on Tuesday, night after you went into their building and embarrassed them.

Let's say that happens. And let's say you play Dallas next weekend, who is the hot, like outside of Columbus, hottest team in hockey. And they're trying to chase down the abs. They're trying to get first place to avoid playing Minnesota in the first round. So there are a couple games coming up here where you want to make sure that you have some margin for error and you're not going into these games at the end of the month against the three teams you're closely aligned with in this playoff race.

So getting that back to Carolina, it's a third time you're playing them in three weeks. Like familiarity breeds contempt. This is, I have, I said it on an earlier show. I can't remember which one. I've never really considered Carolina a rival. Like a divisional rival by definition. They're in the metro. You want to beat them because you're in the same division.

But Carolina has always kind of been a team where I go, yeah, they play good games against them. And they're a fun team to watch and it's competitive. last three weeks, I'm really not starting to like Carolina, man. Like, I don't like the way they play. I don't like the way Brindamor conducts himself when things don't go his way. I think that this is suddenly a team that you got a little bit of a rivalry with and getting a win over them at home in this tight of a playoff race. Feel real good, man.

It feel real good. Yeah, he's also split the season series against them. I know that's not, you know, the end all, be all. but it will be at least nice having that going into the playoffs where you could potentially play them in the second round, for example, especially if you're in the metro bracket. Now, it could change if you slide over to the Atlantic side of the bracket, but if you are in the metro bracket, you'll have a shot at facing them in the second round, that's if both you and Carolina get to the second round of the playoffs.

Yeah, it is funny. You know, before this season, again, I told this story, you know, the last week or two, I always had Capps fans from Northern Virginia where I grew up. always tell me, I don't know how you don't like Carolina, like look at the way they play and stuff. And it's like, I didn't like their style, but I never noticed some of the things that Capps fans would notice. Now in these last couple of the games, in the heading into this one, I've been finally texted them being like, okay, now I see where you guys are coming from. And my friends are like, Hunter, welcome to the club, man. So, hey, for all my close Capps friends out there, I understand why you guys dislike them very much.

And I think that's also going to be on display between the two teams on the ice as well. It's funny, you're seeing more of the fan base go at each other on social media, other places as well. But I think these players are also not going to like each other again in this matchup. It could also be in a way a small playoff preview. So again, I don't have too many more keys for this one, Pat. I feel like we've gone in depth about this team quite a bit the last couple of weeks. If you've listened, you know what my keys are overall.

You know how great their best. players are Jacob Slaven, he's going to get a healthy dose against Sidney Crosby. Sebastian Ajo is fantastic. Seth Jarvis has had some really good games against the penguins. You know, we'll have to see if it's Brandon Bussie against them this time. It's been Freddie Anderson in all three games against the penguins this year. Time will tell if Rod Rindemore wants to go to the other netminder this year. The goal-tending situation, it's funny shaping up to, again, be she loves on Saturday and then Skinner

against the Hurricanes. So Skinner would get all four games against him. Carolina this year. But that's just how the rotation is setting itself up back. He's played really well against Carolina. I mean, like, I'm not against that. And you know what? I'm going to, this is kind of going to be a good little segue into fan take Friday.

I don't want to put the cart too far ahead of the horse. I don't want to jinx anything. This is just simply me playing a little bit of fantasy coach, fantasy general manager, whatever. I honestly think that let's say the penguins do make the playoffs. Let's say they get there. I know everybody is locked into, hey, who is going to be your game one starter? Who's going to be your starter?

And I know that there's the conventional wisdom of you got to have a starting goalie in the playoffs. Penguins been one of the better teams all year. They have not had a starting goal. They have had a rotation. This might be the year. And I'm not saying that the penguins are going to run into the Stanley Cup. So let's pull that back. But I do think this could be a year where the mold gets broken.

And you just do a goaltender rotation because they have continued to mirror one another. Now, if you get there and you play game one and she loves and or Skinner starts and they slam the door shut, you're starting them in game two. That's, I mean, yeah, you kind of have to there. I still am of the opinion. And maybe it's me being a bit old school. You should have more of a 1A going into the. playoffs where you plan on starting a goaltender at least two games in a row again now the penguins

they've been rotating these two guys ever since skinner was acquired even before skinner it was jari and she loves so i just don't think they would rotate back and forth in the playoffs i think you would have to at least to start pick one but if one falters you can obviously just go to the other one the next game it's going to be curious to see who dammeuse goes with assuming this team gets it to the finish line and makes it. They have two really good options right now. But that's going to do it for the second segment. Coming up to end the show, it's back.

Fan Take Friday returns, and we're reacting to your takes and your questions. That's coming up right after this. But before we get to that, we have to tell you all about our second sponsor, which is Fandul. College basketball is nonstop. Big games, tight spreads, momentum swings every single night.

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of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm one of your host, Hunter Hodes, joined by my good friend and co-as, Patramp, and Pat, you put up another really cool poll this morning for Fan Take Friday, and you asked, with 14 games to go, are the penguins making the playoffs, and why or why not?

So after 118 votes, 91% of you think the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to get to the finish line and make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 21-22 season, 9% say no, it's not going to happen. So I love the optimism, man. I really do. That's the first biggest thing to take away. I love everyone's optimism that this team is going to get in. Now, let's get into some of the comments. This one comes from Drake. would you rather play Columbus or the Islanders if it comes down to it?

I know the Blue Jackets are red hot right now. I would still rather play them just because it's been a big brother, little brother rivalry for as long as I can remember. Crosby loves feasting on the Blue Jackets. I would rather play them than the Islanders, a team that has just tormented and haunted the Penguins because I feel like I've seen the same game every single time against the islanders and I just don't know when that's going to change so it may sound crazy

might be a hot take I'd rather play Columbus than them yeah I think I'm in the same boat as you also because I don't think Columbus has a goaltender like that's interesting they've both been really good down the stretch here so they have been but Ilya Sorokin's been better for longer I am more willing to believe in Ilya Sorokin than I am any of the Blue Jackets goalies. Now, they could very much prove me wrong. They could very much continue this for the next few years. And it's, I wouldn't even say unlikely.

It's just the fact that I'm looking at Columbus historically and I'm looking at the Islanders historically. I'm more confident in Ilya Sorokin going into the playoffs and being a monster than I am, say, Jetgreaves. now Jetgreaves could do it. But so I'm with you. I would rather it be the blue jackets because I think at the end of the day, the islanders right now have the great X factor.

They have the goal tending. And I do think this year it's not your typical islanders. We have to kind of get ourselves out of that mindset. They're playing a much different kind of game now. And even if you go up against that team that I do think you match up pretty well with, Soroquin is the guy who could steal a series. I do agree with you on that part. And we've seen Sorokin do it to the penguins before,

not just in the playoffs, but in the regular season as well where he has stood on his head against this team. So I definitely fear Sorokin a lot more. All I was saying is that, hey, Columbus is goaltending, especially as of late, has been really good. But I would rather face those two, grieves and Merzleekins, than Sorokin. I mean, no disrespect to those two.

I know they've been good. Sorokin is probably going to win the Vesna this year. So I will agree with you on that point. This next one comes from Morbius. I think the Penguins make the playoffs if they go eight and six overall. Their final six games are against non-playoff teams. That's 100 points and will be insane for that to not be enough. Although I do think there's a legit chance we have a 100-point wildcard this year.

I do too. I think you might see a wildcard team with, you know, 100 to 100-1 points. That's just the way the race is this year. It's not like last year where New Jersey got in with 91 Montreal all got in with 91. It's a lot more competitive. It's a lot closer this year. Maybe there's some separation at one point, but as of right now, I don't see it as

long as these teams continue to just play their hearts out every single night and they're at least getting a point. But yeah, if they go eight and six here, and that's not even accounting for another potential loser point or two, I think if they win eight of these games, I think that should be enough to get in. It should be. And again, I'll reiterate this, man. you pull up the standings, especially if you take the Atlantic out of it,

because I do think we talked about the, we talked about the start of the show. Top two teams in the Atlantic, I think they're locks. Buffalo, Tampa, they're getting in. Carolina's getting in. But here's the thing. You look at the metro all the way down to the wild card, even to the flyers, who I think the flyers are out of it.

They're not mathematically out of it, but they got too much ground that they're going to have to gain. But still, you look at every team, Flyers in their last 10, seven wins, Ottawa in their last 10, seven wins, Islanders in their last 10, six wins, Detroit, four wins. So they need to get, they need to get moving here. They're two in their last three. They got five out of six points. So they're on two games.

Yeah. Boston, five wins in their last 10, blue jackets, seven wins in their last and three loser points, zero regulation losses. The Penguins, four wins, three overtime losses, and only three regulation losses. So every team in this race is either putting up points or just straight up not losing. So this is going to be a monumental lift. And I do agree with you that eight, eight-ish wins or seven in some loser points, that's going to get you in most likely. But again, it is a razor thin margin.

Yeah, seven gets you to 98 points just with those. And that's not even accounting for another loser point or two. If you get more, that's 99. Obviously two more to 100. So, yeah, eight I think should do it. Seven, maybe. I don't think all of these teams that they're fighting with are going to, you know, win all their games down the stretch, obviously.

But hey, they can still get loser points. And that helps them. I mean, that's obviously helped the Penguins squad. bit this year. 10 of their 16 loser points are via shootout. That's something that I also do want to point out there to, I see some other fans talking about that. It's like, yeah,

only six of their loser points have come via OT. It's just the shootout that's mainly been the big culprit, and that's been where they have really, and I mean, really struggled this year. A couple other ones here, this one comes from John. I think they get in, but it's going to be stressful from game to game. I agree with that. That's what makes this time of year so fun.

Blue line outside of Carlson needs to play more consistent. I agree with him on that as well. Latang specifically, we didn't easily lead him to not screw up games for us, which at this point might be asking a lot for him. They have Gerard back with Latang today at practice. I disagree with that completely. Pairing was way too chaotic the first time that Dan Mews tried it out. I guess they want to see if they can create some other magic with it.

I don't think it's going to happen. But I do agree that more of the blue line needs to be a bit more consistent. obviously Eric Carlson has really turned back the clock. Parker Wathersman has been consistent all year. We all know what we think about Latang and how he needs to be a lot better. Sam Gerard, I thought before he got hurt away from Latang, he was actually playing fine,

but now that they're putting him back with Latang, I'm a bit nervous that he's going to look a bit out to lunch. I've actually liked the way Solobb is playing a bit as of late. I actually liked his pair with Gerard as well. Clifton, you know, he's been fine. I still think he could be a little bit better as well, But I do agree overall that I think the blue line in general just needs to be a bit more consistent, I guess. It does.

And I mean, we kind of did this yesterday on yesterday's show. We don't need to go over the Latang stuff because it's not us running from it. It's not us burying it. It's just it's all been said. And there's no need to rehash it. I mean, realistically, looking at some of the numbers. And you know what? I will go into a Latang thing real quick.

I'll say this. Dan Muse and Kyle Dubus are smart. And I fully believe that they know what they're doing. They're doing a really good job. If I were them, the numbers are telling you one story about Chris Laetang. He's not playing well at 5-on-5. No. Surprisingly, though, pretty damn good on the penalty kill this year.

If I'm the coaching staff, I'm reducing his 5-on-5 minutes. and I know he's going to hate that. I know he's an ultimate competitor, but you got to shelter him. And you got to shelter him for one reason, and it's not just that he's struggling. You got to have him build his confidence back up because there is still a very good hockey player in there.

He has shown it in spurts this season. You give him some time to rebuild his confidence, especially in the ramp up to the playoffs, that's going to be something the penguins are really going to need. Especially for the second pair. Like they need, obviously Carlson has been, you know, an alien since he had, limit break and honestly throughout the season, but

they just need Latang to, I think at least be average. I think if he's average, you're sitting pretty with your top two pairs going in the playoffs, assuming that you get there. A couple more to get to here before we close out for today. This one comes from Maddie, what are your opinions on the goaltending situation?

I'll preface with this. I think Skinner is doing fine. I wouldn't want a crazy extension by any means. I know Miroshava did well, and he's very exciting. I'm just curious as to whether or not you think he'll be able to slot into our goalie situation, like a 1B 1A, 1B situation, excuse me. I think with Skinner, he's probably walking at the end of this season.

I think he's going to have more opportunities elsewhere, and I think the penguins are going to give Marishaw the chance to fully make this team out of training camp during the, well, offseason and then into camp. I'm not sure I was brain farted there for some reason. I apologize on that, but I think they're also going to bring back Shilov on a short-term extension as well. I think you're going to see a tandem of Shilov in Murashov. for next year. I love everything that Stu has done since coming over from Edmonton,

and he's still going to close out the season with Penguins. Maybe we get some playoff games with him. But as of right now, I don't see them resigning him. I think Murashav is on this team next year in some capacity, whether it's as the true backup or a 1B. Yeah, I think for for Skinner, it's less about the penguins and more about him. It's the fact that you can tell he likes being a penguin, he likes playing here, he likes living here. Problem is he's just going to get squeezed out. And there's going to be a team somewhere that needs either a medium term or a bridge goalie. And he fits that bill perfectly.

Hell, it might even be Edmonton. They might need him. So realistically, I think it's less about him not wanting or less about him not wanting to be here and more about that he's. He's just not going to have a place. And you also have to remember, there's Yoel Blumquist as well. Yeah. If Murrishov falters, which I'm kind of doubtful on, you still got him too. So end of the day, I think Skinner's going to keep playing well.

I think Skinner kind of like someone who were, I think you're going to go to this question. And if you're not, spoiler alert, I think it's going to be very similar to Anthony Mantha. It's in a sense that he plays well, sets himself up for a payday. and it doesn't have to be here. Yeah, and Maddie also had something about Manta and his statement as well. He thinks that he should get a two-year-ish extension. He should get paid what he's worth. Again, two years is the most I would go.

Anything else, I think it's see you later, have fun getting all the money that you deserve from another team and probably more term as well. I still don't think he's coming back at this moment, but honestly, things can change pretty quickly. And then this one comes from G-Tots. I think we're going to host the first round. and the third round of the playoffs. So G-Tots, very optimistic about the Penguins' chances to go pretty far in the playoffs.

And then this one comes from Landon. Very, very hot take, but it's a fun one. Penguins Flyers first round, both Columbus and the Islanders of the Wildcard teams, knocking out Detroit and Boston. Landon, I appreciate the hot take. Don't think Philly's getting in, though. I think that's most likely not happening unless a whole bunch of other craziness happens to end the last month of the season.

I mean, I'll say this. And let's, you know, I'm going to do the NHL account graphic of the, if the Stanley Cup playoff started today. Buffalo, Boston, they would beat the hell out of one another. Oh, yeah. Tampa, Montreal. That'd be a battle. Carolina, Detroit.

I think Carolina would maybe kind of take care of Detroit pretty easily. And then you would have the penguins in the blue jackets, who I do think the penguins would win that series. And honestly, right now, the only thing that would deter me from the penguins having a chance against Carolina is that they can't win in wrongly. And, but I do think, like, you look at the path,

there's a world where they could get there. It would be really difficult. A lot would have to go their way. But the biggest thing is I look at this penguins team. and I don't see them as cannon fodder. I don't think they're a team that you're like, hey, you made it. Congratulations, good job.

Now you're going to be sacrificed to somebody in the first round. I do think there is a chance in a, should they get in, that they could win a series, maybe even two. Yeah, I mean, especially if they get the right matchup in the first round, though. Either way, whoever they play, it's going to be a tough series.

But again, if you're asking me right now, I'd still lean Columbus, even though they've been the hottest team in the league for basically the last two months ever since Rick Bonas was hired. I just think the Penguins, they've had the edge in this rivalry for a very long time. I think they would do enough to win that series. And if they were to move on and play Carolina, I agree. Can you finally break that Raleigh curse? Because you won't have home ice and MES is the way it's going right now. You would have to, even if you win all three your home games, you have to beat them in Raleigh once.

Can you do it? That would have to be the question. But I think that's going to do it for the Friday edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. Thank you all so much to take the time to listen to slash watch this one. Pat and I will be back on Monday, recapping these two games against the Jets and the Hurricanes. Let's see if the Penguins can continue to keep pace in this wild card and just this overall playoff race. It's going to get even crazier over the next few weeks, people,

but we got it all covered right here on the Lockdown Penguins podcast. So for Patrick Damp, I'm Hunter. Thank you all so much for tuning in. We appreciate it. We'll be back on Monday.