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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat
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Jason Mackey
12:48
Hi folks. Welcome to my chat. Lots to talk about, I would imagine. We'll get started at 1. Thanks again for joining.
HB
1:00
Should Malkin and Kessel look out for anymore "Closed door meetings" that the caps have.
Jason Mackey
1:01
Are you suggesting they had a closed-door meeting to hurt Crosby? If you are, I would sincerely caution against that. Not accurate.
HB
1:01
I enjoyed Paul Zeise's article about the conspiracy theories but he left out the biggest one. according to the rest of the teams the nhl only wants the penguins to win.
Jason Mackey
1:02
I'm pretty sure the NHL would be fine with any compelling storyline, Penguins or otherwise.
HB
1:02
I know you said playing Sprong is unlikely but, he fits the system perfectly and doesnt a line of Sprong-Malkin-Kessel make your mouth water?
Jason Mackey
1:03
No. Especially not since Sprong plays the right side and is markedly better over there.
HB
1:03
can you do Pittsburgh a favor and tell Ron Cook to write another article doubting the pens because apparently they like proving him wrong?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I will be sure to relay your message to Ron, but he is a columnist who gets paid to offer his opinion. Not paid to offer only opinions that you happen to agree with.
Rick
1:04
Since Sid is skating today, When do you think he will play again ? My guess id Game 6 Here.
Jason Mackey
1:04
I doubt whether there will be a Game 6, honestly. And I really try to not project head injuries. Every one is different, every day is different. It is a big step that he's skating. Can't deny that. But it's tough to say when that's all he's doing -- I.e. no contact.
Bryan
1:05
While I think its much more plausible he comes back for Game 6 or later, it is conceivable that Sid plays on Saturday yes? The no contact skate today, and if there are no symptoms, he could - in theory - take contact tomorrow.
Jason Mackey
1:05
In theory, yes. But if incurring a couple concussions and covering sports that have them has taught me anything, it's that "in theory" means little when you're talking about injuries to your brain. Too tough to predict.
Al
1:05
The past 2 games have seen the Pens coming out pretty strong but ultimately being limited to very few shots in the final two periods (game 3 obviously was affected by the loss of Sid though). What do they need to do better to maintain pressure the rest of the game?
Jason Mackey
1:07
It's been kind of crazy, right? How out-Corsi-d the Penguins have been this series. I'll maintain what I've been saying: They need to get out of their zone quicker and more efficiently. Game 4 also had some periods where they got especially sloppy with the puck in the neutral zone, something that wasn't a huge issue earlier in the series.
Jay
1:07
I know Letang has a 4-6 month recovery timetable, but do you know if there's been any update since his surgery, or if he's at least been able to be around the team? It has to be hard for him watching the team go through these playoffs when he's such normally a huge part of their success.
Jason Mackey
1:08
He has not been around the team. Our last update was that surgery went well, and he's recovering. I don't think they're going to update his progress every step of the way, nor should they. But we've heard nothing to indicate his recovery has been slowed in any way.
Kevin
1:09
With the stellar play of maatta & Schultz in these playoffs who do you think the pens will protect in the expansion draft? Doumilin hasn't looked good but is still young.
Jason Mackey
1:11
Yeah, Kevin. Really good point. Dumoulin wasn't good last night. I don't get the sense he's terribly healthy right now, and I'm worried it's affecting his skating. As for the defenseman, Jim Rutherford was noncommittal the last time I asked -- for good reason, I might add; he wanted the focus to be on the playoffs -- about which format they'd employ. You could make a case for the Penguins protecting eight skaters to keep more defensemen. It's either eight skaters in any combination or seven forwards and three defensemen. If you have a lot of defenseman to protect, it makes more sense to go with eight.
Evin
1:11
With Fleury playing as arguably the MVP, how do you see the Pens dealing with the goalie situation prior to the expansion draft. Fleury has more experience, is more athletic, far better glove hand and is statically the best goalie ever in shootout situations....Murray is arguably positionally more sound, younger, maybe better rebound control, and has a great potential for growth. Tristan Jarry also has a lot of potential. Ironically, if Fleury wasn't hurt last year, Murray doesn't play and if Murray wasn't hurt this year, Fleury doesn't play and with neither of those happening I think Fleury would unquestionably be the Penguins goalie.
Jason Mackey
1:13
I don't think Fleury's playoff run will change the Penguins plans, unfortunately. If anything, his run has upped his trade value in a big way. For the Penguins, who are going to have to pay guys like Sheary, Guentzel (further) down the line and Rust, plus Dumoulin and Schultz on the back end, one would think, it's a business decision. Murray counts less against the cap. I don't think a two-goalie system is ideal for Fleury. Murray could probably use the extra rest for injury prevention, but Fleury simply isn't a backup, as he's showing now. I still think they trade MAF before the expansion draft. The right might be better now.
Kevin
1:13
If the pens gut out a win over the caps do you see any of the remaining teams being able to stop us from a repeat? Maybe Nashville who's looked impressive...
Jason Mackey
1:14
No, I don't. And I think the Penguins have a strong path toward repeating even if they drop Game 5. If I'm the Penguins, I'm not looking at any of the remaining teams and getting all that intimidated.
Ed V
1:14
What was your favorite song played at the rink last night, "Right Now" was mine as I assume was yours as well.
Jason Mackey
1:14
Ha. I pay little attention to the in-arena music. Not a slight on PPG. Just in a zone. Or listening to my own on Bose noise canceling headphones, which I think I love right up there with my wife and son.
OKC Dave
1:15
To you, does the NHL seem to condone the dangerous hits by not reviewing games and making suspensions and fines more common? I know I'm a Pens homer, but if if you zone in on Ovechkin, you see a lot of stick pokes to the face. boarding, and other dirty play away from the puck. If it's not going to be called, it's a good strategy to keep players looking over their shoulders all game. Example, the way he buckled, I think his hit on Sid's helmet might have caused the concussion as much at the shot to his face.
Jason Mackey
1:16
I think the NHL should be tougher on bad hits, blanket statement, hands down. I'm of the mind that the Department of Player Safety is a bit of an oxymoron run by guys who shouldn't be running it. I'm fine with them throwing the book at guys. Make a statement. I don't like letting guys off easy, because it perpetuates stupidity. I actually don't have a huge problem with what Niskanen did. I don't think he was trying to kill Crosby the way it looked. If Ovechkin doesn't do what he did -- I think this part of the play should be getting more attention, honestly -- then the Niskanen thing is a non-issue.
Sig
1:17
For as much as they were just barely hanging on for the 3rd period, there also seems to be a calmness about the Pens game right now maybe that comes with the territory of being reigning cup champs as opposed to consistent disappointing (Caps) playoff exists. What are your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Agreed. There's a different between these two teams. One can function in less-than-ideal circumstances, the other can't. The Capitals have a great roster. Winning in the playoffs? To me, that's a different story. Was that the prettiest game the Penguins have ever played last night? Heck no. Like a starter in baseball without his best stuff who has to find a way, they did enough to get by. And maybe won the series because of it. Washington, for years, hasn't been able to find that gear in its game.
poll
1:18
Now that Sidney Crosby will miss at least game four, who do you think will win the series?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Penguins. In Five.
RC
1:18
The results speak for themselves, but do you really see the Pens being able to win the cup being dramatically out shot every game? I thought the reason the one last year was because it was reversed.
Jason Mackey
1:19
I don't. I think it has to change at some point, but I also think it will. Weird thing about the Penguins this postseason: They actually haven't played their best game. There's more they can do. That sounds nuts because they're about to win a second consecutive series in five, but it's true. If they can -- I hate this cliche, but here it works -- get to their game, oh man, I have little doubt that they'll be fine.
BRK
1:19
Any update on C. Sheary?
Jason Mackey
1:20
He skated this morning, making progress. Until he joins the team, though, I'm keeping this at arm's length. Tough to predict anything with a concussion.
Kayla
1:20
I notice frequently during penguins fan somebody shouts "woooo" after a play in close to the penguins net. I noticed it pre Murray and post Murray but not when he was in net. Is that Fleury? An excited fan who happens to be at most games?
Jason Mackey
1:21
Could be a little bit of both. Fleury talks a lot in the net, one of his many charms. Fans also "woo" ... and other fans hate it.
SPH
1:21
I realize Sprong has put up very impressive numbers in the Q this year but it's quite a jump to NHL playoffs, realistically would Pens consider inserting him into a playoff lineup if injuries pile up?
Jason Mackey
1:21
I wrote this the other day. Essentially, no. There are other guys with more experience ahead of him on the depth chart. He'll be a Black Ace, but nothing more than that. Unless things really get bad.
JC
1:21
When the Capitals dress Tom Wilson the first time he steps on the ice, why doesn't the refs just give a 5 min major and game misconduct the moment he steps on the ice. The guy is a waste and just a problem in every game. And yes, I am being serious. It would eliminate a lot of problems in the game and the refs would not have to deal with it.
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