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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 5.25.17
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Dwayne PghGuy
1:00
How many comments/questions about the bad refs will it take before you scream S T F U?
Jason Mackey
1:00
I'm expecting a lot. Doesn't matter to me. I don't think they've been very good this series.
Dwayne PghGuy
1:01
One local sports writer suggested that the Pens should go with MAF tonight. Something I agree with 100%. Who would you put in net tonight?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I would start Murray. More important, Mike Sullivan WILL BE starting Murray.
Dwayne PghGuy
1:01
There has been a lot of talk in the PG comments section about the Ron Cook jinx. If he praises a player, they have a bad game. If he predicts the winner, the opposite happens. Are you believer of this phenomenon?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I believe in anything where the root of the word is "phenom" and Ron Cook is involved.
Carlos
1:02
Hi Jason.
Jason Mackey
1:02
Hi Carlos.
Guest
1:02
Don't feel good about this one. The Sens have been extremely lucky all playoffs, have had good juju. The Pens goal conversion rate has taken a nosedive. Malkin has not guaranteed a win either for this game. What can you tell me Jason to make me feel better?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Well, the Steelers drafted JuJu, so I think you're safe there. ... They had 10 goals in two games before Craig Anderson stood on his head in Game 6, stopping 45 of 46. Here's what handicapping Game 7 comes down for me: Do you bet on Anderson having a repeat performance, or do you bet on the Penguins offense having a repeat performance and thus getting results? I think most sane people would take the latter.
Guest
1:04
Do you think Hornqvist skating this am is just a diversionary tactic and that we are unlikely to see him tonight? If Hornqvist does play, which forward would you sit?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I don't think it's a diversion. I think he's close, as evidenced by the fact that, for the first time, I can say I saw him take a two-handed shot. That's progress. Do I think he'll play? No. He skated for more than 45 minutes. That's extremely rare for the day of a game, even for Hornqvist. If he was playing, he likely would have been off for the normal group. He'll take warmup tonight. I do think that will be a diversion.
Carlos
1:05
Hi Jason. Which lines can we expect today?
Jason Mackey
1:07
Sheary was off early, meaning he's likely in. I'm going to assume Hornqvist is out. I'd go: 14-87-59 ... 23-71-81 ... 17-13-37 ... 62-7-43. ... I also think Sullivan may have something up his sleeve with Sheary. Would not be shocked to him try Sid and the Kids again, honestly. If he's playing Sheary, I don't like Sheary on the fourth line. Doesn't fit his skill set. Would rather have Kunitz there. Could also see using Rust with Malkin, trying to ignite him for a Game 7.
Guest
1:07
No matter who wins tonight, the Preds have got to be favored to win the cup by a lot, right? They're rested, having a magical season and if they play, the Pens will have played three more games. Hard to win the cup after back to back 7 game series.
Jason Mackey
1:08
If Ottawa wins, I'd expect the Predators to be favored. I would not expect the Predators to be favored over the defending Cup champs.
Andy
1:08
Will the Pens win tonight or will Anderson give up only one goal again and the Pens lose? Your prediction Jason....
Jason Mackey
1:08
I think the Penguins will win, 4-1.
Andy
1:08
What's going on with Schultz? Do you know? Looked like a separated shoulder to me. I'll be surprised if we see him even in next series if we win this one
Jason Mackey
1:08
Agreed. I think it's shoulder/collarbone or maybe elbow. Very unlikely he plays tonight.
Carlos
1:08
What do you think about the handshake tradicion? Some does't like, saying it's a fake moment. I think it's a great moment (even being painful for the loser) because it demonstrates respect to each other and proves the sport it's bigger than any rivalry.
Jason Mackey
1:09
I think not elbowing each other in the head (Mark Stone on Sidney Crosby) shows a ton more respect among players than shaking hands, but I do like the tradition.
Kevin
1:09
During these playoffs I've noticed 2 different teams. When they're clicking they're smooth with skating, passes, & shots. But in most of the losses u notice pucks drifting off or hopping over sticks, shots looking forced, guys standing around away from the play.. Is this a matter of fatigue? Lack of focus? Maybe a little of both?
Jason Mackey
1:11
Any time a member of the media sets Sullivan up with one of these, it's always: "A little bit of both." Sam Werner and I get a kick out of it. Anyway, I think it is ... you guessed it, a little bit of both. I don't think the Penguins are physically exhausted. I do think they've played a ton of hockey, and mental lapses are going to happen. Have they had the proper mindset 100 percent of the time recently? No. But that happens. I think it will be very telling what they do tonight. Remember Game 7 in Washington?
Kevin
1:11
If we pull off the win tonight the sched for the finals has alot of built in travel days. With that much rest is it reasonable to think the pens might finally get their whole team back on the ice healthy (minus letang) Jason? I have to believe with everyone back Nashville would have their hands full
Jason Mackey
1:12
Yeah, I think that's reasonable. Ruhwedel skated today. Yellow, non-contact jersey. He's a day from losing that, maybe one more from playing He would be ready for Game 1. Hornqvist and Schultz are game-time tonight. I don't think either will play, but they're both close. Tom Kuhnhackl skated on his own before practice. So, yeah, it's reasonable.
Kevin
1:12
This yr has been full of special moments. What's been your fav moment this season so far? Mine was guentzel's goal on his 1st shot. The way they showed his family celebrating was amazing. To see all the hard work they put in through his life finally payoff is one of those rare moments that shows a different side of professional sports. I'm sure u are privy to behind the scenes a little more. For the fan at home that's awesome
Jason Mackey
1:15
Ha. I am privy to the behind-the-scenes stuff, but it means different things to me than you. I don't care who wins. I root for stories. I think Carter Rowney coming out of nowhere to get a shot is cool. I think Marc-Andre Fleury is one of the classiest people I've ever been around, and this year has only furthered that. I think it's neat as hell how much Sidney Crosby grasps his level of import to people down on the their luck, and how he tries to do some good with that. I think it's neat that Ron Hainsey finally got a shot at the playoffs. I think it's neat that Matt Cullen is 40 and has the legs and enthusiasm of a 23-year-old. I think it's neat that Conor Sheary isn't playing well and still was big enough to sit at his locker and professionally answer some tough questions. I think it's neat that a good number of players get that media have a job to do and treat us with professional respect, the same we try to give to them.
Mike
1:15
Other than the obvious ones (Pens-Red Wings or Pens-Capitals, pick a year), what have been your favorite Game 7's? For me, it's Rangers-Devils 1994, even though I was rooting for the Devils, that was one heck of a game.
Jason Mackey
1:19
That's a good question. Probably the Patrick Division semifinals in 1991, Pens over Devils. I was a kid and worshipped those early 90s Cup teams, memorizing "One From the Heart" and pretending I was Frank Pietrangelo robbing Peter Stastny.
HB
1:19
alot of press has talked about Ottawas 1-3-1 press, what kind of fore-check/defensive strategy do the pens employ?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I wouldn't call it a press. It's kind of the opposite. They want to sit back. Penguins use multiple. I wouldn't feel comfortable distilling into something as simple as a 1-3-1 the way Ottawa does. They are much more aggressive than the Senators, though.
HB
1:20
I might be in the minority here but id rather have a healthy archibald than a banged up hornqvist but in the same breath rather have a banged up Schultz than streit.
Jason Mackey
1:22
I disagree on Hornqvist. I think he brings a certain intensity and leadership that this team draws on. Even if you only play him on the fourth line and on the power play, he's a crazy person on the bench. The guys love that. With Schultz, I'm not sure it's worth it -- he's not that close -- but I think you need to think big picture here, at least with this because Streit hasn't been awful outside of the first game. Is what you would gain more important than the potential loss for a Stanley Cup Final? I don't think so.
HB
1:22
the thing that annoyed me about the no goal call was if that happened tonight i have a feeling they call it a goal the inconsistency is what really is frustrating/
Jason Mackey
1:23
Or they might not and call it tomorrow. The consistency is an issue, I agree with you there. There's none. I also hate a lack of an explanation. They're professionals. Nobody should be better at this than them, right? Then why in the world can't you at least explain your thinking? Who cares who agrees? If you're doing things correctly and you're proud of it, what's the issue? I don't like the lack of transparency.
Carlos
1:23
What lines can we expect today?
Jason Mackey
1:23
Guessing you saw the earlier answer on this, Carlos.
dave
1:24
Has Sullivan been asked about the too-many-men penalties?
Jason Mackey
1:24
He was. Jim Colony from the Fan asked this morning. Sully's answer, verbatim: "It’s focus at the right times. A couple of times when they did occur, the puck came right to our bench at the same exact time. Sometimes that can confuse line changes. Certainly it’s not any excuse by any stretch. I think it’s a focus of making sure that you’re responsible for the guy who’s going on the ice and you’ve got to watch him come to the bench."
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