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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 4.19.18
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Jason Mackey
2:25
I honestly don't think it matters. Both are great. They both have bad playoff history with the Penguins and shaky goaltending against them.
HB
2:25
Are you surprised they didn’t try giroux at center and do you think they will try that in game 5.
Jason Mackey
2:26
Yes, I was surprised. I thought that's what Hakstol would do and should've done. Nolan Patrick has been great, but he needs some help. Val Filppula isn't that.
Drop The Puck
2:26
Where can the Pens least afford an injury during the playoffs?               a. Crosby  b. Malkin  c. Murray  d. One of the top 4 defensemen
Jason Mackey
2:27
I'll go with c. Just because if you have a. or b., theoretically the other is still there. And you might want to re-classify top-four D to two defensemen getting hurt. That would be really bad.
Hondo
2:27
What is Patric Hornqvist status going forward ???
Jason Mackey
2:27
Same as it is going backward: day to day, out Friday.
Bob
2:27
The Predators seem to be everyone's pick to come out of the West.  Do you see it the same way and what odds would you give Vegas of making it to the Finals?
Jason Mackey
2:28
I don't know about odds, but I look at Nashville, Vegas and Winnipeg as having about an equal shot. There's nobody else I feel that strongly about. I guess I would take Nashville because of the experience factor, but it's not by much. We also keep expecting Vegas to turn into a pumpkin, and it's just not happening. Suppose we should maybe, finally, expect the Golden Knights to do some big things.
Ryan James
2:28
Do you see Kris Letang just continuing to return to his normal 28 minutes a night self? The other defensemen are solid but Letang can push the Penguins over the top.
Jason Mackey
2:30
Yes. It's funny. And I'm curious to talk to Letang, but I really think he wants to play that many. It's important to him, and he gets better with it. I think the Penguins wanted to watch it, but we're sort of seeing Sullivan say the heck with it and let him go. The results have been very good. Outside of about a 10-minute stretch to open Game 3, I think Letang has been tremendous this series.
Ryan James
2:31
Sheary and Simon both played great games, even though neither scored. Does Simon sit again once Hornqvist comes back? Or does someone else take a turn in the press box?
Jason Mackey
2:31
I think Simon sits. They like that fourth line, and Simon isn't great in that role. I can't think of anyone else I would take out, to be honest.
Todd
2:31
Do you think Malkin will also pass Mario in playoff points, this post season?
Jason Mackey
2:32
Yes, I do. Which is crazy, right? Think about the unlikelihood of that happening anywhere else. Malkin needs 10 points. He might get that before the Eastern Conference final the way this team is playing, honestly.
Frank
2:32
After the Brassard trade, JR said that the Pens had more cap space than they had before the trade. Unless JR intended to make another trade before the impending trade deadline, is there any way that extra space could have mattered?
Jason Mackey
2:33
The Penguins wanted to get another defenseman and potentially Matt Cullen. Cullen was never made available, and at least one deal with a possible depth defenseman never materialized. I haven't been down exactly why, how or who, but they definitely thought they were getting at least one and left enough money on purpose to do it.
Steve
2:34
Any chance of the penguins game on Friday getting rained out?
Jason Mackey
2:34
No. My guess is they'll make sure the roof is closed.
Ryan James
2:34
Do you ever just sit back and appreciate how lucky you are to be a Penguins fan?
Jason Mackey
2:34
No. Because I'm not a Penguins fan. I'm a beat writer covering the team. Objectivity, my friend.
Ryan James
2:34
When Crosby plays like this, everyone is in awe of him, even guys who have seen him do it for years. Does that motivate Malkin to match Sid's level of play?
Jason Mackey
2:35
Yeah, I think there's some validity to that. I also think there's a natural competition between the two. You could include Kessel, too, or any of the Penguins' best players. There ain't much complacency.
Ryan James
2:36
Am I the only one who doesn't acre who we play in the second round? We've beaten both of those teams and have made their Vezina-level goalies look incredibly mortal.
Jason Mackey
2:36
I don't acre, either. Of course, that's mile own opinion.
Ryan James
2:36
Would the best possible Finals story-wise be Pittsburgh vs. Vegas? Murray vs. Fleury. Expansion team vs. 2 time defending champion.
Jason Mackey
2:37
Penguins vs. Preds Round II would be fun, but yeah, Pittsburgh and Vegas would absolutely be the sexiest possible matchup.
Charlotte John in Austin
2:37
Assuming a Pens conference final appearance (I like our chances) my concern still lies with the defense. Are we physical enough to move bodies off the puck, on and around the boards, when facing a Boston or Tampa team? Great showing thus far! Thanks Jason!
Jason Mackey
2:38
I hear what you're saying (actually I'm reading it), but I don't think it's a huge concern. If the Penguins are playing their game, they should have the puck. The board stuff and moving bodies can be kept to a minimum. No, the Penguins aren't the most physical team in the league. But they're also fast, have a ton of offensive talent and maybe the best playoff goalie going.
Ryan James
2:38
It seems like Sullivan's been really hard on Rust this series, and he's obviously frustrated with himself.
Jason Mackey
2:39
I don't sense that. Nothing outside the norm, anyway. Sullivan loves Rust. Can do a lot of different things for the Penguins. I don't think there are any concerns at all with Rust's game right now.
Pinkie Pie
2:39
Hey Jason, which of the 8 series has been your favorite to watch so far?
Jason Mackey
2:40
I've found myself watching Columbus and Washington a lot. Because of the Penguins implications, sure, but also the close games and interesting hockey.
Cantor
2:40
What changes do you think Sullivan is going to make to the 4th line?  Do you think Riley Shehan could benefit even more if he had better wingers?  It was great seeing him get a breakaway goal last night!
Jason Mackey
2:41
I don't see Sullivan making any chances to the fourth line, to be honest. I think he likes it the way it is.
ALB
2:41
Hi, Jason. Do you expect any retaliation from the Pens on Reid for his gutless late slash on Brassard?
Jason Mackey
2:41
Nope. That's not how Sullivan wants them to handle things. It's over and done with as far as they're concerned.
Lukas
2:41
Are the Penguins going to sign any more college FAs or any of their unsigned draft picks?
Jason Mackey
2:42
They tend to keep things close to the vest until they happen. I'm sure they will, but I can't say I'm close enough -- because of the playoffs -- to any of it to tell you exactly whom they might sign.
DNY
2:42
What more than anything has led to the Pens PP dominance this year vs recent seasons?
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