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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 4.12.18
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Jason Mackey
12:29
Hello, folks. Welcome to our weekly chat. We're going to try to go around 1 p.m., although I can't miss availability in the Penguins dressing room, which will probably happen around 12:45 p.m. I'll be back to answer your questions whenever that's done.
1:41
OK, let's do this ...
Shrinkage
1:41
Hi Jason, I know this comes off as a suggestion from a lunatic, and maybe that is true, but whatever, I'm interested in your thoughts -- regarding the yellow shirts they give away at home playoff games -- why not give out black/white reversible shirts. Hard to pull off and promote, but fans on side facing opposing goalie wear black, fans on side facing Murray wear white. Whether or not it is an actual strategic advantage, it would be a fun psychological ploy.
Jason Mackey
1:43
I have no clue, honestly. I think the gold setting in the building is kind of neat. Although the black/white would be different. Two colors of T-shirt living side by side in harmony. It's a wonderful thing, isn't it?
Pens4Life
1:43
I know we’re one game in, but after last night what’s your prediction on this series? You know Philly will be back much stronger tomorrow night.
Jason Mackey
1:43
I said Penguins in to start, and I'm not ready to change that. I think they sweep here, split there and finish it back home.
Pens4Life
1:43
So, the real Matt Murray showed up. How long before his dissenters reappear in droves?
Jason Mackey
1:44
Saying that Murray needed to be better than he was during the regular season is one thing. I think that's fair. Doubting it will happen is where I have an issue. The kid is damn good in the playoffs.
Pens4Life
1:44
I know this is a Penguins chat, but I’m curious to know from a hockey guy: To what do you attribute Vegas’s success? Other expansion teams in the last couple of decades (TB, FLA, Nash, ATL/WPG) took time to be competitive.
Jason Mackey
1:45
The biggest thing were the expansion draft rules, in my opinion. Very favorable. And they had to be given what Bill Foley paid. But I also think they were able to get a really good coach and GM who happened to be available. Plus, they got a lot of good character guys who've seemingly fit together well. Also doesn't hurt when you get good goaltending. Normally a player like Fleury isn't available, but he was because of the Penguins' unique situation.
Pens4Life
1:45
The play-by-play guys last night on NBCSN reported some Pens teammates said Sid is on another completely different level. Have you seen him play like this before? Obviously he is capable, but wow!
Jason Mackey
1:46
I'm sure I have, but he is on quite a roll. Malkin, too. Was texting with Pascal Dupuis last night mid-game. He was blown away by the Malkin goal. Didn't get a chance to ask him about Sid's. But the batting of pucks that Crosby does seemingly every other game ... it's incredible.
French penguin
1:47
Hi Jason! What a game by the Pens yesterday night...so fun to watch when they are in 2016 playoff mode! Two highlight-reel goals by the two-headed monster but for
me the most spectacular play was made by Geno at 5-0 (2nd period, 14:10) when he (once again) slalomed through the whole Flyers team with special moves, and hit the post...if it is in : probably the goal of the year. It is a Pitt
pitty that we don’t even see it in the condensed game because it was unreal to watch. Do you agrée?
Jason Mackey
1:48
The move itself was amazing. Deking Voracek. Working around Gostisbehere. I think the shot was stoppable from Elliott's perspective, but not much was stoppable for him last night. I think it's top 10 for Malkin's career. Definitely an incredible effort. He has scored better, though.
HB
1:48
The only thing that wasn’t impressive to me yesterday was the first powerplay unit other than that it was a crisp game.
Jason Mackey
1:49
Fair. Some other guys brought up rush stuff (Hornqvist) and a few too many Grade As early (Letang), but it certainly seems like quibbling complaining over that.
HB
1:49
In your professional opinion do you think it’s smart to stick with Elliott because mrezak certainly looked more confident than Elliott yesterday.
Jason Mackey
1:49
No, I would go with Mrazek. I might go with Hextall or Rutherford. Elliott looked like a hot mess.
HB
1:49
In the article about how past penguin cup teams stack up who do you think had the best center depth because the 2009 team had some great centers?
Jason Mackey
1:50
I think this one. Staal and Brassard is a push. Maybe Staal is better. But I think Crosby and Malkin are playing more complete games now than they were then. They were elite players then, obviously, but I think the 200-foot game, meshing with linemates, going against top lines, the climate of the league now ... I think this year's team is deepest.
HB
1:50
After the Penguins were up 3-0 it really looked like the flyers main goal was to see if they could injure someone is that worrying to you?
Jason Mackey
1:51
No, it is not. The Penguins are big boys. They can protect themselves.
Kevin
1:51
Your Were right about Bryan Rust he stepped up big time.
Jason Mackey
1:51
That was hardly a long limb.
Kevin
1:51
You were right about Bryan Rust, he stepped up big time.  Do you think the team we saw last night will continue this type of play.
Jason Mackey
1:52
I wouldn't expect them to keep winning games 7-0, but I think they are capable of the type of defense they played last night; I don't think it was a fluke. And I thought the version of Matt Murray we got last night more resembles who he is than what we saw during the regular season.
Avi
1:52
Do players like or dislike afternoon playoff games?
Jason Mackey
1:52
I don't think it matters to them. You could play a game in the middle of the night. This is what they do for a living. As long as they can prepare for it, I think people would be shocked to learn how little these guys care. And some, like Hornqvist for example, would play 'em at 9 a.m. if he could. He's also jacked up about something.
OHIO412FAN
1:52
Jason, I think it would be a safe assumption that the Penguins are a different team in the playoffs. They are sending a message to the entire league. How do they continue this dominating play?
Jason Mackey
1:53
It all starts with their defensive. They didn't give Philly much. Letang was terrific. Great goaltending. PK was solid. It's not an overly complicated formula, but one or multiple of those have been off. The Penguins can score. Nobody doubts that. It's the other stuff. And last night they got it.
OHIO412FAN
1:53
What do the Penguins need to keep doing to replicate this game 1 and playoff success? Any adjustments/improvements as well to make?
Jason Mackey
1:54
Nothing at all. Keep doing the same stuff. Maybe reinforce power play entries and cleaning up some rush stuff, but that's really, really minor.
OHIO412FAN
1:54
I know you feel strongly in changing up the lines in some way. After last nights performance, do you think they really need to do that still?
Jason Mackey
1:54
I don't feel strongly about changing the lines right now. When did I say that?
Joe
1:54
Thanks for your great work Jason. I know it’s one game but the flyers looked deflated. Did you get the same sense?
Jason Mackey
1:55
Anybody is going to look deflated when your goaltending is that bad. Ruins everybody's else work, although that lacked, too. I just don't think the Flyers are a very good team. They're better than a 7-0 loss, but they're nowhere near the Penguins in terms of being capable of making a run.
SZ in AZ
1:56
I liked your article about younger leaders starting to emerge in the Pens locker room. While the end doesn't appear immanent for any of the current guys, you are right that the younger voices are needed. In addition to Murray and Dumolin, it seems to me that Bryan Rust is kind of starting to emerge as one of the younger leaders. From your perspective, is that the case?
Jason Mackey
1:57
Yes. And most of all, Rust plays his best when the lights are the brightest. That carries weight. He's not going to be a ra-ra guy, but his stature on the team and how he's received is definitely different now versus two years ago.
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