You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 4.11.19
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Jason Mackey
9:54
Hi folks. Welcome to my weekly Penguins chat. Probably a lot to talk about after last night's Game 1 loss. Leave your questions here, and I'll be back at 11 -- or a little before -- to answer them. Thanks.
10:56
Alright folks ... let's do this.
Guest
10:56
This game reminded me of the Caps series last year. Pens just too aggressive sometimes with little situational awareness, and feel free to substitute Letang for “Pens”...the other team’s forecheck and pressure putting the Pens on their heels, and Trotz outcoaching Sullivan. I don’t understand why all these fans think the Pens will win this series. I honestly see the Isles winning this series in 6 games. Do you think Sullivan needs to change more strategically about how the Pens plays Trotz’s teams?
Jason Mackey
10:59
This seems like an appropriate starting point. The Penguins lacked awareness last night, but I don't see how it's relative to Sullivan. Dumoulin makes a horrible pass, and that's Sullivan's fault? Maatta doesn't change and turns it over, that's Sullivan's fault? Letang tries to go one-on-three and coughs it up, that's Sullivan's fault? Sullivan didn't get out-coached. His players got out-played, specifically his defensemen. Since 2016, Sullivan and Trotz have split 20 playoff games. I don't think one guy has the decided edge here either way.
Brian
10:59
How many chances is Maatta going to get? Every game you can see him laboring to get back into the play on defense.
Jason Mackey
11:00
I thought Maatta was actually decent toward the end of the regular season, but I agree he was bad last night. Perhaps bad enough to be in the press box for Game 2. We'll see. I'll also admit I would've started him up there. I like Olli, but I've seen nothing lately from Jack Johnson that warranted him being a healthy scratch last night.
Guest
11:02
Sullivan has to do more to help line 1 against the Isles’ fourth line. I know he doesn’t control the matchup on the road but what about putting Horny with Sid and Jake and moving Rust down with Malkin? Rust has been playing pretty poorly on the first line the last couple weeks. I don’t think he’s really helping with his tunnel vision and at least Horny is a little harder to play against when the Isles are matching their grinders against Sid
Jason Mackey
11:03
I don't totally disagree with you; however, I really liked Hornqvist with Malkin last night. I would be hesitant to break those guys up. Maybe you try it, see what happens, and if everything works, you keep it. Not against it, by any stretch. And also, at home, Sullivan can get those guys a better matchup. The Islanders fourth line is a pain. Crosby line might just have to play a little better/tougher than it did last night. Don't always have to change personnel.
Lindsay
11:03
Do you think we’ll Johnson in the lineup Friday?
Jason Mackey
11:04
I don't know how to Johnson. Is that something the kids are doing these days?
JohnAl
11:04
Am I the only one who didn't think last night was that bad? Couple of bounces away from a win and the Penguins ran the play for large portions of the game, all while withstanding the Islanders best punch. Did you feel like the Penguins spent a lot of time chasing hits and trying to match physicality, leading to some poor positioning?
Jason Mackey
11:05
I'm with you, JohnAl. It's a Game 1 loss, in overtime, so I know it's easy to freak out. The Penguins did a lot of things well. Kessel was terrific. So was Malkin, Hornqvist and even Simon. Power play scored. Yeah, defense was bad, Murray was so-so, but if you thought sweep, you're nuts. Fix it for Game 2 and move on.
And no, I don't think they chased hits. I think they were a little sloppy at times with the puck. Didn't break out clean enough. They have to match the physicality in some sense.
Mike M
11:05
Do you see jack Johnson sliding in for Olli Maata if gudbranson is available to play? Or do you believe Olli gets one more chance in game two considering he has the playoff experience?
Jason Mackey
11:06
Good question, Mike. If Gudbranson is available, my gut says Sullivan goes back to Maatta. However, I'm lying if I say I believe 100 percent in that. I'm just trying to be straight with you and not dance around the question. I think Sullivan has another fairly large decision on his hands if everyone is again healthy.
Mike M
11:06
Is it just me or did the first line look well below average last night? Do you see a big bounce back from that line in game two and going forward?
Jason Mackey
11:07
They did. Not a great night. Got killed in scoring chances -- believe 1-13 five-on-five, something like that. It was ugly. They need to adjust to the physicality of the Islanders' fourth line. Will also help if the Penguins can get out of their own zone better.
Mike M
11:07
Any chance McCann slides back on the first line? He seemed to do well with sid there at the end of the season.
Jason Mackey
11:08
I think there's a chance, yeah. I think Sullivan will try something, and McCann would be one of my two most likely possibilities.
Mike M
11:08
On paper the pens are the much deeper team. Why is it that Barry trotz system allows them to play stingy defense?
Jason Mackey
11:08
Because they sit back and defend. They buy into what Trotz wants to do with structure and sacrificing offense for team success. He has them playing a certain way, and they're believing in it because it has yielded results.
Mike M
11:09
Last night it seemed sid was not looking for his shot at all. Why is he hesitating to shoot? He has a great shot especially with the back hand and should utilize that more.
Jason Mackey
11:09
Mike, you've officially asked me more questions today than my wife. ... I'm not ready to make that judgement on Sid. They didn't have the puck enough. Rough night for that line. That's all. I'm not pulling from that that he's hesitant to shoot. It was just a bad night.
guest
11:10
hi jason, was just wondering: does sullivan have an issue with keeping mccann on the top line, even though they click? why does he keep moving mccann off?
Jason Mackey
11:10
I'm not sure. I know he likes Rust there a lot, for the speed he brings. But I agree with what you're saying: Doesn't seem like McCann has much staying power there. I think they maybe worry some about McCann's finishing ability. But I can't say that Rust has been red-hot scoring goals, either.
David
11:10
Hi Jason, I taught the lines used last night were very competitive. What are the chances Sully keeps them for a while? And regarding Oli, it’s time to move on and bring Johnson in, too many poor decisions and his lack of speed are hurting the team.Your taughts?
Jason Mackey
11:12
Gonna answer the top line and Olli/Jack questions one last time and move on, trying to avoid the repetition ... I think Sullivan will trying something with Sid. Got to. That line was a black hole. My guess would be McCann, although I could see him going with Hornqvist, too. ... As for the defense, I could see him swapping out Olli for Johnson. I'd put that at about 60/40 over staying status quo. I also worry about injuries to Dumoulin and Gudbranson.
Manhattan Yinzer
11:12
Was there a review for goalie interference on the OT winner last night?  The NBCSN crew seemed to think they were looking to see if the play was onside, but Murray seemed upset about the Islander who slid into him after he stopped the initial shot.  He really had no chance to get over for the rebound...
Jason Mackey
11:13
They reviewed for goaltender interference, but the conclusion drawn was that Kris Letang pushed Mathew Barzal into Matt Murray.
MA
11:13
Did the ice look as bad live as it did on my screen?
Jason Mackey
11:13
Yeah, it was awful.
Guest
11:13
What are the chances of any of our upcoming free agents taking a “discount” to stay with the Pens? Schultz ....Kessel? I know ppl keep saying we can’t afford Kessel so the Pens should trade him and move on but he really seems to enjoy Pittsburgh and how he’s treated any thoughts on if he or others would stay?
Jason Mackey
11:15
Zero as far as hometown discounts. That's (mostly) a fan thing. It is a business, and players are gonna want paid. Yeah, things change when guys are in great situations and if they're comfortable, but they're not going to take less to stay here because they think it's neat to live near three rivers or something. That being said, Schultz isn't up until after next season, Kessel after 2022. Any sort of contractual "discounts" aren't going to come into play for awhile.
Guest
11:15
I feel so bad for Johnson .  He did not deserve to sit .  He has played well down and stretch and played every game .  What a punch to the gut for him .  How did his demeanor seem?
Jason Mackey
11:16
He seemed fine after morning skate, although I'm not sure he knew at that point he would be sitting. We didn't talk to him after. He's a total pro. Regardless of what you think of his game -- some like it, some hate it -- he's a total pro. Super nice guy, approachable, a team player. He'll handle it the right way.
Guest
11:16
Ok when did kunackle get good ?  He looked like he lost some weight and was faster than I remember.  Maatta is still looking for the clothes he undressed him from
Jason Mackey
11:17
Kuhnhackl and ... I think it's also opportunity. He's getting to do more on Long Island, stuff that wasn't necessarily available in Pittsburgh. Strangely, he also seems to play his best games against the Penguins. Earlier this season, remember, Kuhnhackl was back in the AHL.
Michael
11:17
The D played bad overall, Sid's line was quiet, and they lost in OT.  They split on the Island and the series tilts back in their favor.  I don't know how Pens fans get so out of control with so much playoff experience under their belts.  I think they get the next one and win the series in 6 or 7.  You?
Jason Mackey
11:18
I agree with everything you just typed. It's like people say Pens in six without realizing that doesn't indicate a sweep. They have to lose. They lost on the road, in a crazy building, in overtime, where they just did some stupid stuff. They didn't get blown out. They didn't get outplayed. They also got some encouraging signs with Malkin, Kessel and Hornqvist. This fan base -- and I love it, I say this in good fun -- is just conditioning to react with these wild swings all the time. I don't get it.
Ericm1212
11:19
Sullivan will never change the lineup, that be admitting he was wrong and it will never happen
Connecting…