Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Will the desperation and urgency still be there on Saturday?

Episode Date: April 7, 2023

It's crunch time, baby! Hunter starts the show by previewing Saturday's massive matchup against the Detroit Red Wings as they really do have no room for error right now. They NEED to win out, plus get a little bit of help along the way. Hunter looks at what he wants to see from the Penguins right when the puck is dropped on Saturday afternoon and why the special teams also need to be a lot better than they were a week and a half ago. He especially says it for the PK as it gave up another costly goal late in a game when the Penguins could've used a point. He also focuses on Tristan Jarry and why he will have the chance to start in this game since Casey DeSmith wasn't very good in the previous two meetings against them. He also has a big Crosby guarantee for this one since the Captain has been a little bit off toward the end of the season. After that, Hunter discusses why the Penguins shouldn't even be in this situation right now with how many blown leads they've had this season before ending the show with a couple of injury updates, plus what's the likeliest outcome for help when it comes to the Islanders and the Panthers. BUCKLE UP, HOCKEY FANS!Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.Athletic GreensTo make it easy, Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/NHLNETWORKFanDuelMake Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go to FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 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) 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.

Happy Good Friday to all those that celebrate, and hopefully the Penguins will have a good Saturday because they will play the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit Little Caesars Arena as the Penguins look to keep their season alive and also slide into a playoff spot for at least the next 7, 8, 9 hours, potentially even longer than that if the Penguins get some help from the Capitals or the Flyers on Saturday night. So for this episode to start it,

we're going to preview that game against the Red Wings, what the Penguins need to do to win it, plus look at just how they shouldn't even be in a situation. right now plus a buttload of other things. So that's all coming up right after this drop. Your Locked-on Penguins. Your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network.

Your team every day. Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. I have a few co-hosts back behind here for those that are watching on YouTube. Thron is here. also very excited that the Grand Admiral is coming back in the Asoka show.

And I have Teddy who is behind me. She is laying down. They've been being pretty bad downstairs barking whoever comes by. So I decided that they will join me here. And yes, I am still rocking the Steel Panther on the proud shirt. I rocked last night. We're keeping with the good vibes here. The reason why I think they won last night was because I was wearing the Steel Panther shirt during the game.

We are all in on the Steel Panther stuff. If they make the playoffs, you know, it's going to be because I went to that concert and then bought the shirt. But, again, thank you all so much for making this your first list on the day. We're free and available on all platforms. So it's Penguins Red Wings, Saturday, 1 o'clock start time, nationally televised game on ABC. I'm double-checking to make sure that ESPN has not announced who's going to broadcast this game, or the commentators that is. I'm just trying to see here.

Yes, okay, so they did announce it. It's going to be Bob Wicheskin, who I actually like Brian Boucher and Leah Hextall. Brian Boucher, you know, I don't really think his analysis is that. but I think it's kind of falling off after he left NBC, Leah Hextall, you know, I'm not really big on her analysis either. I think some of her TV interviews are kind of cringe. She's tried to do some play-by-play.

She's just not really polished enough with that. But Bobo Chuskin does a good job. So I think that'll be a nice, that'll be a fun call game. So 1 o'clock start time. ABC is a channel for all of you. Unless you want to listen to the radio broadcast, that is what Josh gets off in Philbork.

But Penguins Red Wings in Game 80 out of 82. The Red Wings were officially eliminated. eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday night and a 7 to 6 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Devin Levy. Shody was heamed with the Sabres were able to stay alive with that shootout win. All these games are massive, obviously, for the Penguins.

But you cannot get swept by both the Canadians and the Red Wings, especially with your seasons on the line. Ron, buddy, if you are going to stay in here, you know, okay, whatever. He's just going to be looking for toys under there. Whatever. I love one of my dollars are just being crazy. But, you know, you with everything on the line,

you cannot get swept by the Detroit Red Wings. You know, this team, they're not as bad as the Blackhawks or the Columbus Blue Jackets, but they're still not good. Just a week and a half ago, they have lost 12 and a 15 coming into that game against the Penguins. Penguins are able to tie it not once, but twice, especially in the third period, it was 4-4.

We all know what happened after that. Brian Russ takes a really stupid penalty with less than four minutes to go, and they don't even get a point because the special teams nuked, another one of their games. You know, and that's the weird thing about this. And the Penguins have been able to get points in games such as, you know, the Canadians won just about a week or two ago.

The game against the senators a week or two ago, that game against Detroit and that game against Boston. All four games, they lost late in regulation. If they had gotten four points at least in got to overtime, even if they lost, say that, they would be three points up on, both teams right now. The Penguins going into those final three games, they would

all the Penguins would need to do is to win one of these final three games basically and they would be in the playoffs. Yeah. They would actually, going into this game, if they had gotten just those points latent regulation against those teams, all they would need is a win tomorrow

plus a loss by either the I owners or the Panthers and the Penguins would be in the playoffs in game 80. Those are the lines people. That's how Razor things. that 228 separated that penguins in the Bruins from a point. Three minutes separated the penguins from a point in the Red Wings game. Two minutes separated the points,

the penguins from a point in the Sanders game. The Canadians game, they jumped out to a two nothing lead. Less than 20 minutes separated them from a point. Three to four points just right there. Couldn't even grab them. And that's not to mention the fact that they could have gotten extra points there. They didn't get a point in any of those games. say if they win all those games, that's eight points,

they're seven points up right now. They're already in the playoffs. Just crazy. It's just that's how thin the lines are. And we kept saying, you know, after all these games, you know, it's going to come back to bite them. It's going to come back to bite them. It is right now because they don't control their own destiny.

But they will have a chance to be in a playoff spot for at least eight to nine hours before the games on Saturday take place at night when they go to Detroit, and participate on a bad Red Wings team. This team is not good. They have some talent. You look at Daily Faceoff, obviously, David Perron. He played very well against the Penguins last time, had the hat trick.

Dylan Larkin has been their best player. Dominic Kubolique is on the top line now. Pious Souter, Andrew Kopp, Lucas Raymond, Alex Chasong, Joe Villano, Adam Ernie, Jonathan Bergerin, Austin Sarsnik, and Matt Luff, defensively, Jake Walman and Mo Sider, Sam and Edmondson and Ben Sharott,

Olimata, and Jordan Osterly. it looks like the Red Wings will have a new goalie for this one. Billy Huso, he is back healthy, Alex Nadelcovic. We backing up. At least that's how it's looking like right now. Red Wings are a little bit banged up. No, Michael Rasmussen, Mark Pizzix, out. Robbie Fabry's out, Philip Zedina and Marco Casper.

All those players, do they not look like they're going to be shooting up in this game? But, you know, what I'm really looking forward in this one, I want to see a level of desperation, urgency that the Penguins showed on Thursday. come out firing. You know, Mark Andre Filler was the only reason that game was close at the end of the first period. I want to see them play with that level of urgency and with that level of desperation. Dean Yvesant, he even said after the game, the Minnesota Wild Head Coach, that they expected them to come out desperate. They did just that.

And he even said, he even said, he liked how they played in the second and third period, but he even said it just it wasn't enough because the penguins are where they are in the standing. So, you know, it was kind of similar to the way the Islanders looked against the lighting. They were the more desperate team. they came out peppering. They were able to break through the second period. Panthers, they were obviously the more desperate team against the senators because the senators were really just, you know, not, you know,

they were kind of in it, but, you know, also not really. Finally drinking some water because, you know, I'm tired of that little stupid allergy cough than I have on my show. But again, urgency, desperation, the special teams, that is a big one for this matchup. I say this for every game, basically, but especially for this one, with how that last game played out,

Penguins go down 3-0. They come back, thanks to their power play, tied at 3-3. They go down 4-3, but they tied 4-4. But then the penalty kill, rears its ugly head once again. 3-48 left. New scores, David Perron.

Peron scores a minute later to make it 6'4. The game is basically over at that point. The Red Wing's score with three minutes left. You know, you need the special teams to show up in this one. Because, you know, last night, It was almost kind of looking the way it was going to go in some of these games that have been, you know, close losses where the power play was not good. The penalty kill was getting its turn. It's usually, it usually doesn't play well in the power play stinks.

But at least the PK was able to be a bit better against Minnesota. I was actually kind of surprised. But, you know, it's the time of year where special teams matter a lot more. And the Penguins penalty kill needs to be better after the way they played against Detroit. on the week and a half go, not good enough at all. And a couple of those games, you know, if they would have just been able to get

a couple of big penalty kills from their units. That is, even, even the two games, let's just say that even the two games against the senators and the Red Wings, if they've been able to kill both those penalties off, they would have gotten at least a point. They would be a point up in the standings right now. They would be in control of their own destiny

going in these final three games. Again, that's how slim these margins are. If you want to kill this penalty, if you want to kill that penalty, You need to see the PK at its best. I want to see the power play improved because it's been really bad for most of the season. It's crazy that they rank in the middle of the pack around the league. In terms of power play percentage, it does not look like that when you watch them live.

But I want to see that better. Tristan Jari, I think he's going to get the start in this one. He should be the starter. They have to rely on him for better or worse in these final three games. I think he's taking some baby steps to get back to the level that we saw before he got injured in the Winter Classic. and the level that he played at for most of last season. It's not fair yet, I don't think, but I thought I liked the way he played against Minnesota. I thought his movement was crisp.

I thought he was aggressive. Everything about his game was a lot better. It's also challenging, challenging shooters. The one goal he allowed was not his fault from behind me. He's just killing me. But those are the big things I'm looking for. Also, I want to see Cindy Crosby show up now. He's been a little cold as of late, not really scoring much.

Like, I think we're used to seeing at the end of the season. I don't know if he's a little banged up. I don't know if he's tired of carrying the team all year, along with Hibgeny Malkin and Crystal Tank. But I want to see a big vintage Sid game. Actually, I don't know. I'm going to see a great vintage Sid game here. It's past time for him to really show up the penguins here down the stretch.

And I'm not saying that he hasn't, you know, that he's just been terrible or anything like that. I just think the captain's been a little off, not like his normal self, I should say. But that's what we're looking for in this game against the Red Wings. The Penguins have no excuses. I am sorry when you are playing three teams who are down and out, they're playing for pride, honestly playing for Connor Bedard. If you want to be even more truthful, you have to win these games.

It starts on Saturday in Detroit against a Red Wings team. That is not good. He been playing bad hockey. You have to win it. it would be obviously very penguins for them to lose this and then for the Islanders and the Panthers to win on Saturday, which would effectively end their season because they would be three points back with two games to play.

They were the only reason, the only way they would get in is if they win their last two games and then one of the Panthers or Islanders lose their last two. That would be a death blow. So another must win. They need to come out being desperate and urgent and I think we're hopefully going to see that on Saturday afternoon. That wraps up this first segment as we previously.

the matchup against the Detroit Revings coming up in the second Saturday. We'll get to a couple of injury updates. When could Marcus Peders and Nick Benino be coming back? I heard a couple of things today with regards to that. Plus, you know, just why the Penguins should really not be in this situation right now. And thanks to, I believe it was ZC. I'm trying to remember what your name is on the YouTube comments. I'm just going to go on here just to make sure I get it right.

it was from yeah ZC 717 you brought about 20 games that they screwed up I only had 10 off the top of my head I'm going to give those 10 and I'll get to some of yours as well that's all coming up in this next segment

but before we get to that you know when you're drafting your fantasy team do you ever wish you can handpick the best stars for your business team if you're building your town roster you need indeed indeed is the hiring platform where you can attract

interview and hire all in one place don't spend hours on multiple job sites looking for candidates skills when you can do it all with Indeed. Find top talent fast with Indeed's suit of powerful hiring tools like matching assessments and virtual interviews. If you hate waiting, well, Indeed's US data shows over 80% of Indeed employers. Find quality candidates whose resumes on Indeed matches their job description the moment

they sponsor a job. Indeed knows when you're going your own business. You have to make every dollar count. And that's why with Indeed, you only pay for quality applications that matcher must have job requirements. Visit Indeed.com slash locked on to start hiring right now. remember, that's Indeed.com slash locked on one more time for you all. Indeed.com slash locked on terms and conditions apply.

Cost for application pricing not available for everyone. If you need to hire, you need indeed. All right, I'm back here in this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Honor Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Honorahoges. Follow the show's Twitter at Ellenlargeal Penguins. And of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen of the day. Okay, let's jump right into it.

So Penguins, you know, I was talking about this on my Thursday episode and I'll say it again here. There's just no excuses to even be in a situation right now. You know, ZC, you know, ZC, you are the one that said it best last night. You know, if the team ends up missing, you can reference the below wine. He gave a whole bunch of other games. But I had these all the time I had. The three Montreal games, no excuses to lose those games. That team is terrible.

They only got two points in three meetings against them. they should have easily won those first two games. They had leads late in the third period against them. The third game, they jumped out to a two-nothing lead after they played the night before. No reason to lose those two games, three games. You have the two games against the Red Wing so far. You should have gotten three out of four points, at least, in those games. You blew a four-nothing lead in the first one.

That should have been an easy two points. Heck, yeah, if they even win that game right now, they're tied with the Islanders and the Panthers. I know they don't have the tiebreakers, but that looks a little bit better right now. And then the other game against the Oedman. That's five right there. Two to three against the Islanders. That's seven to eight.

Remember that Islanders game just a few weeks ago? They're up three to one with less than six minutes to go. Had the Penguins won that game, they would have, I believe, gone up a couple of two to three points, I believe, on the Islanders. Nope. I underscored score five, 36 left. They then score again with a little less than a minute, with a little less than a minute to go. all you need to do was hold that lead for six minutes because the Islanders had nothing in that game. Nothing.

In the other game against the Island, on Long Island, Penguins were up four, two late in the second period, lost in regulation. They have two to one in the other Pittsburgh game, lost in regulation. Eight right there that they had multi-goal or one-goal leads in late in second periods or late in third periods, and they're not able to close out. That's eight. The Sharks game, where they lost six to four, Logan Gitcher had the best. game of his season. That's nine. Like, the Bruins game, you didn't even get a point out of that. That's 10. Obviously, the sender's game. That's 11.

11 games right there. And if they had gotten two points in almost all those games or even a point in half those games, this team would be challenging for a top three spot in the Metropolitan Division this year. That's why it's so maddening that they are where they are right now. they have done this to themselves. This isn't just bad luck, you know, just unlucky balances and all that. No,

they've played well for the most part, but all the times, they've also just had really crappy defensive play coupled with really bad goals heading, and that's what sunk them. And you can put special teams in there. They should not be in the situation right now.

The Penguins should easily be in a playoff spot, and it should be the Islanders and the Panthers duking it out for that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. you know, if they don't make it and there's a good chance that they might not make it, you know, the penguins only have themselves to blame. That's why, you know, if you're a fan of this team, I'm not trying to like speak for you here, but I'm just saying, you know, if I were you, I probably wouldn't be super upset because, you know,

they only have themselves to blame. This isn't just like, oh, it's a super competitive Eastern Conference. It's not. You have the top six teams that are obviously very good. Outside of that, though, it's a lot of middling teams. I don't think the I-hunders are that good. I don't think the Panthers are that good. I don't think anyone below the penguins are any good either.

Penguins also aren't that good, obviously. But this conference is not that good. I mean, the fact that they are where they are right now just goes to show how poor this season has gone. And, you know, Zizi, you also touched on a lot of other games. You know, that Bruins game, you're right. That 5-2 lead, they lost 6-5 in overtime.

That Buffalo game, you're right. They had that 3-1 lead going into the third period. They lose 6 to 3. I almost forgot about that game. The Cracking game, yep. They gave up that late goal in regulation in Pittsburgh. 3-2 loss. You already touched on the Montreal game.

Yep, the Carolina one. Brock McGinn actually scored in a third period for the Penguins go up 2-1. They don't even get a point out of that game. Remember the goal, the Brian Ruskell? you know later on in December they lost four to three with jacobs slaving wot winner penguin scored with seven and seven after the period they couldn't even get two points there um you already said yep the bruin's game the winner classic was annoying i wonder's game islanders games yep yep i mean that's just as you said that's the tip of the iceberg and i'm glad there were some other ones in

there that i basically completely forgot about shouldn't even be in the situation poor defensive plays, bad special teams, poor goaltending, bad situational awareness. You know, if they had just played even average in third periods this season, this team would have clinched a playoff spot two weeks ago. And there's no reason to think that they can't make the playoffs next year, even if they miss this year, because the core is still playing well. And I think hopefully if there's a new GM in here, they'll be able to make the necessary moves to get this team back into being a playoff team next year.

Again, outside of the top six teams in this conference, it's not that good. I mean, there's no reason why this should not be a playoff game. And the fact that, again, that's come down for this is very, very annoying. But, yeah, I mean, just those games I mentioned, you know, Zici, I'm glad you brought up a couple other ones I basically completely forgot about. You know, 15, 20 games right there and had half of them gone the other way, they would have clinched a long time ago.

Just really, really unfortunate. But that'll wrap up this second segment coming up to end the show we're getting into some injury updates and when you can expect Marcus Pedersen and potentially Nick Benino to come back before the season is up. I know there's only three games left,

but I'm going to give you all a couple small mini-skeeps when it comes to that to end the show. But before we discuss that, it's time to get into the official sports spending partner of Locked On. That is Vandal.

The NBA playoffs are almost here. And now is the perfect time to download Vandexam. America's number one sportsbook. Because new customers get a no sweat first bet up to $1,000. That's bonus bets back if your first bet does not win. Just download the Fandualsportsbook app. It saves security to use.

Then you can bet everything from the money line to point scores and three strain. Plus Fandu even lets you combine your bets for a chance that have bigger payout with a same game parlay. So don't miss a chance to get your no sweat first bet up to $1,000 of bonus bets. When you go to Fanlio.com slash locked on, that is Fandul.com slash locked on to learn more. make every moment more with Fandul, the official sports betting partner of the NBA and Locked on. All right, I'm back in this episode of the Lockdown Penguins

podcast. I am your host, Honoredon Haudies. You're going to follow me on Twitter, Hunter Hodes, follow this show, Twitter at also Penguins, and of course, thank you also much for making this your first listen of the day. So, in terms of some small injury updates with Marcus Peders and Nick Minow, the segment might be a little bit shorter.

Penguins do not practice today. They use it as a travel date. They are in Detroit right now. get married for tomorrow. Nick Benino and Marcus Pedersen continue to skate with the team both in a non-contact capacity. I don't think they're going to play on Saturday,

but I am thinking, based on what I've heard from a couple people, I think their target return date is Tuesday against the Blackhawks. If they can get a practice or two in on Sunday or Monday, if they practice both days, I think there's a good chance that both will be ready to play. Kulukov, I'm not really sure. I haven't really heard too much about that.

all I've heard of he has a broken foot, you know, he could come back in these final three games. He might not. But if I had to guess, I think the Penguins will get Pedersen and Benino back, which will be big. And that the Penguins, knock on wood, will have a full complement of players for, you know, only the only times they've had it on this season because they're always pretty banged up. You know, Pedersen, they've missed him a lot, even though they've gotten Petrie back, who's, you know, he's been okay this year, not the best. And they just got Jan Rudaback, who I think did have a good game on Thursday against the wild.

this defense is not the same without Pedersen in there. He is their best defensive defenseman by far. You can easily make an argument that he's been their best defenseman all here. And, you know, I'm one of the biggest Chris, Chris, the Tang Sims out there. He's, you know, Pedersen's been awesome. You know, thank God the Penguins didn't trade him. I'll say that. But that's what I'm hearing right now.

Looks like that Tuesday game against the Blackhawks is their target date. Now, to end the show, obviously, the Penguins, they have to win out here. They have no other choice. And then you need one results to go your way. What's it going to be? Penguins fans are going to be the biggest Washington Capitals fans on tomorrow night and Monday.

It's going to be hilarious. I don't know if they can rely on the Capitals to help them because the Capitals look really checked out right now. I think they've given up on Peter LaVuette. They got blown to hell by Montreal on Thursday. It was really bad. I don't really know what was going on there but

let's see if the caps want to help out the Flyers play the Islanders that would be funny if they help out the Penguins probably not going to happen Penguins best bet is probably going to be the Panthers getting beaten by either the Leafs or the Hurricanes are potentially both in those games

you know, the Capals just don't have anything to play for the Leafs don't have much to play for because they're locked in but I also don't know how much cap space they even have to call anyone up from the Marley. So I think they might have to address their full lineup for that game against the Panthers. We'll see if they're even going to really try in that game. The Hurricanes, I think, will give it a fight, especially if the Metropolitan Division is still in the balance.

They can kind of decide who they want to play. I think of all the three teams on the Panthers schedule, that Hurricanes are going to give them the biggest fight. Islanders-wise, they play the Flyers, Capitals, and the Canadians. I'll say this. I would be stunned if the I orders dropped one of those games. they've been playing outside those two games last week and I think they've been playing a little bit of better hockey. Sorokin is top three goalie in the league. I would be kind of stunned if they even dropped the point from those games.

They ones are going to have to win out and get some help. You know, even two out of three wins ain't going to do it. She's not. Panthers, you know, they have the harder schedule. Alex Lyon, can he continue to do this? That's going to be the big question. Be nice if Washington wants to help out, but I think it's more likely that one of Toronto or Carolina gives the penguins some help.

You know, it's going to be close. I don't know how this is going to go. I'm leaning towards being more optimistic because that's how I am, if the penguins are going to somehow sneak in. But if they don't, and there's a good chance that they don't, again, they only have themselves to blame here, man.

It's their fault. And yeah, I mean, there's big changes coming no matter what happens in the playoffs or if they miss. That's how I see it. And if the ownership can't see that, then I think this team is even more crap than they already are. But that would do it for this episode, the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Really appreciate all of you listening and watching. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend, if you all are celebrating.

I'm, of course, a nice Jewish man. So I'm celebrating Passover, which, you know, I'm already kicking myself for not being able to eat bread these last few days or pasta, which is my favorite food. So I'm having fun with that. hope you have a great rest of your good Friday. Have a great Easter weekend. Let's see if the Penguins can win on Saturday and potentially get some much-needed help from two teams that are out of the playoff picture right now.

So until then, hope you'll have a great weekend. I'll speak with you all on Monday. We'll see if the Penguins are in a playoff spot.