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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 3.22.18
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Jason Mackey
1:28
I think so. It would be the most entertaining series of the playoffs, I'd think. I'm so rooting for that, to be perfectly honest.
Steven
1:28
The deployment of the very inconsistent Oleksiak-Schultz pairing is odd. They took 100% O-Zone starts against NYI and were downright terrible. They took the most defensive zone starts of any pairing in the MTL game and weren't as bad.

Neither guy is exactly a stellar beacon of defensive play, so why are they given more defensive deployment? Is it a case of the Penguins not caring much for matchups and deployments right now and favoring rolling guys in order?
Jason Mackey
1:30
Haven't asked HCMS specifically about your question, Steven, but I can tell you that Sullivan isn't much for matchups. Criticize if you want, but he often doesn't put a lot of stock into it. Especially with No. 2 and No. 3 defensive pairings that he sort of uses interchangeably. ... To be fair, too, I think that pair might've been better than Dumoulin-Letang at points over the last handful of games.
Alex Ross
1:30
Hey Jason, what is your projection for Oleksiak in the years to come? Chara-esque? Something else? Thanks
Jason Mackey
1:31
Gonna go with a little less, but I do think the Penguins will keep him around after this year, maybe long-term. They like him. He can be a very steady third-pairing guy with a little bit of offense to his game. Plus, the size and toughness.
K
1:31
Full disclosure: Evgeni Malkin is my favorite hockey player. I really enjoyed reading the article you wrote last month about him and the increadible hockey he has been playing this year. Do you think he’s got a shot at the Hart Trophy this year?
Jason Mackey
1:31
Absolutely. If the Penguins win the division and he catches Kucherov, I think he should absolutely win it. I think his chances are very much legit, too.
1:35
Yeah, I'm not a goalie expert, either, and I'm gonna stay on the periphery of why this is a benefit. ... I think the gist, though, is that goalies feel like they have more control with their skate blade against the post and there's a greater ability to rotate.
BennyD
1:35
I’m not a goalie expert (duh!) but I totally don’t get the whole “reverse VH.”  it seems like a tall guy like Murray can seal off the whole post by standing up right against it.  in the reverse VH all kinds of holes open up (above the shoulder, between the leg pad and blocker).  any idea what the supposed upside is?
Alex Ross
1:35
Who is the better player: On fire Crosby or on fire Malkin? I honestly think it's Malkin. And do you think Crosby will be more known for his ridiculous consistency or play-making abilities?
Jason Mackey
1:36
I don't know how I could put one above the other, honestly. They both can take over games. They just do it different ways. ... I don't think you have to pick one with Crosby. If anything, I think he will be remember for his love of hockey and how much works he puts into what he does. But everything else falls under that umbrella.
Hank
1:36
What can you point to behind the Pens somewhat sluggish play since the deadline? Just seems like there’s not as much flow to their game.
Jason Mackey
1:37
A lot of it is defensive. They've taken a few more penalties, and the PK has been leaky. That's one thing. They've had some bad starts. That's another. And just a little careless at times, like the third period in Manhattan, perhaps thinking they've got it made.
Pinkie Pie
1:37
In your opinion, what reason(s) do you think the Penguins have been much worse on the road than at home? And could that negatively effect their bid for the trifecta??
Jason Mackey
It comes down to not generating as much offensively, lesser goaltending and the big boys. Why is this happening? If I had the answer I would sell it to Mike Sullivan for a lot of money.
NewGiantsFan22
1:37
Can the 2017- 2018 Penguins be boiled down to "They will play 'Their Game' when they feel the need to flip the switch"? And do you think they can they win that way?
Jason Mackey
1:38
Dear God I hope nothing can ever be boiled down to two brutal cliches. ... But yes, I think you'll see a different, more focused group, in the postseason.
BennyD
1:38
Im a Letang fan but he has looked really slow at times (last night’s goal where he got turned inside-out was brutal) and I especially didn’t like him publicly stating he was “scared” of getting beat by the speed of his opponent.  isn’t it a little ironic that Cole can end up in Sully’s doghouse for being too chummy with the media but Letang can admit he’s scared?
Jason Mackey
1:39
Two totally different things, Benny. Sullivan didn't like how Cole would hang around and BS with it. Letang doesn't do that. He's allowed to honestly self-assess his play. That has never, ever gotten a player in trouble with his coach -- so long as the player wasn't delusional.
K
1:39
I love to watch hockey but I am not really good at breaking down plays, etc. it seems to me that the pens have been inconsistent - sometimes they don’t look like the same team game to game or even period to period - if that is the case what do they have to do to find consistency? (Thank you for these chats, as a relatively new hockey fan I’ve learned so much about the pens and hockey from reading these chats every week)
Jason Mackey
1:40
Thanks, K. I'm glad you find them helpful. And happy to have you on board! It's a great question. If I had the answer, I could be a rich man. ... I think it's just important to keep in mind how long the season really is and that the other team is also trying. ... Sometimes things don't always work out like you plan. And all of us, I don't care what you do, sometimes just have bad days. Theirs are public. Too bad for them, but at least they get compensated well.
Steven
1:40
Do you understand the Pedan obsession? I certainly don't. His point return is nothing special, and his lateral mobility is severely lacking at the AHL level. I'd be terrified to see him trying to defend some shiftier skaters in the NHL on a nightly basis. He also collects PIMs like they're rookie cards. He has 29 minor penalties in 42 AHL games.
Jason Mackey
1:41
Not at all. I think his entire family participates in this chat.
Bob
1:41
It seems as though Columbus flipped a switch. Are they the worst first round match up for the Pens? Who would you most like to see them play?
Jason Mackey
1:41
No, I think CBJ is a terrific matchup for them. Bobrovsky has been the Penguins' best player in those matchups. There's a familiarity there and a healthy dislike that would get the Penguins' juices going. Plus, Columbus is an awesome city.
Ryan James
1:42
Is Malkin playing at 2009 vs. Carolina levels? How important is it for him to be hot in the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:42
He's close. Don't know if I can go there yet, but it's close. ... Hugely. I think that's stating the obvious, but they need their $9.5 million-a-year player to play like a $9.5-million-a-year player.
Ryan James
1:42
Will Rust ever find a permanent line to play on? Or does his versatility speak for itself and make it a night to night basis?
Jason Mackey
1:43
Honestly, no. And I think that's the best thing for the Penguins. He moves around and seems to improve things wherever he goes. It's a crazy skill he has.
NewGiantsFan22
1:43
When do we "panic" about Letang? Early in the year it was obviously a case of getting back up to game speed, but as we close out the season he's playing his worst hockey. Especially in his own end.
Jason Mackey
1:43
You haven't been panicking about Letang this whole time? You're new here, aren't you?
Brian
1:43
How many points per game do you think Malkin has to get from here through end of the season to win the Art Ross?  I'd love to see a monster outburst vs. NJ this Friday that puts him in front.
Jason Mackey
1:44
Hard to say, Brian. I can't predict what Kucherov or Hall will do. I do think Malkin needs to average at least in the 1.2 range, something like that, to give himself a shot.
BennyD
1:44
not sure if you saw Ovi’s interview on NHLNetwork after his 600th goal but it was interesting that Kevin Werkes told Ovi that Sid marvels out how Alex can score from anywhere.  apparently Sid said, “I can only score from 10’ or less.”  Ovi laughed and said, “change the curve of your stick.”  I thought that was interesting and left me wondering if 87 ever tinkers with his blade/curve (loved the article on the players being quirky with their equipment BTW)?
Jason Mackey
1:44
Thanks, Benny. Did not see the interview. Would not hold your breath waiting for Sid to change his stick. Or anything. The man changes at a glacial pace.
Burley
1:44
Jason Isbell - better songwriter with the 400 unit or DBT?  For me, hard to top what he did on the dirty south.  Kinda young angst versus middle age life reflections question, I guess.
Jason Mackey
1:45
Oh, 400 Unit 100 times over. Vampires? Cover Me Up? Relatively Easy? That's not close.
J
1:45
How great is Carey Price?! I know he gave up 5 goals last night in his first game back. However, his brilliance is obvious. How does Matt Murray (or Matt Murray's career potential/ talent ceiling) compare to the goalies who are at their peak right now?
Jason Mackey
1:46
If Murray stays healthy, I'm convinced he'll be better than almost any guy going. If he stays healthy. The talent is there, the drive, the ability, the makeup. There's nothing he doesn't have. Except, of course, a proven track record of staying healthy. In short, his ceiling is extremely high.
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