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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 6.1.17
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Jason Mackey
1:19
Hi folks. Sorry for the slight delay, but Stan Savran asked me to do a radio hit and, personal policy, I don't say no to Stan. So, here we go, 20 minutes late.
Andy
1:19
Are you hearing anything about Bonino's injury? I know he came back but it wouldn't surprise me if he had a fractured ankle and was out the remainder of the finals given it's the Pens. Any update?
Jason Mackey
1:20
No update. But assuming his left foot is still attached, I'd bet on him playing. If it's not, he might be a game-time decision.
Andy
1:20
Given that the Pens ar still being massively outplayed by Nashville, who seems like the quicker team, I think if the Preds replace Rinne with Saros, he will have better success stopping the breakaway shots and give the Preds a chance to come back and take this series. He had a .923 save percentage this year and beat the Pens when they played in October. Do you think Laviolette will have the guts to make that change, and should he?
Jason Mackey
1:21
No and no. Nashville isn't here without Rinne. I don't see how you take him out for ol' Juicy (Juuse) Saros. Rinne has lacked, sure, but I think you have to give him the benefit of the doubt of going back to Nashville, staying the course, playing in your own building and dancing with the date you brought, so to speak.
Andy
1:21
I still don't understand Sullivan's line combos. We need speed and more forechecking speed against the Preds. Why is Hagelin not playing? Do you think he's still injured? I'd consider putting him for Wilson or Rowney, who aren't really threats to pot a goal either but at not as fast, probably for Wilson. Do you know why he's out of the lineup?
Jason Mackey
1:23
The Penguins are up 2-0 in the Stanley Cup final, the year after winning the Cup. Sullivan is 7-0 in playoff series. Maybe we should give him a shot? He might have some semblance of an idea of what he's doing. No, Hagelin isn't hurt.
Joe Galt
1:28
Do you read the comments sections of your articles? If so, who is your favorite contributor? Mine is Dwayne PghGuy.
Jason Mackey
1:28
Totally agree.
Dwayne PghGuy
1:29
If Rinne was performing at the level that Craig Anderson did in the last series, do you think the Pens would be up 2-0?
Jason Mackey
1:30
I think there's some validity to that. I think another issue at play here is Ottawa's inability to capitalize on anything. If they got a few more timely goals, that would help, too.
Dwayne PghGuy
1:30
I personally don't get the obsession with Primanti's food and think it would be the perfect thing to toss on the ice at Nashville. Not really worth eating anyway. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:31
I happen to like Primanti's. And, yes, I'm from here. Just a personal preference. I'm against wasting any food, actually. Especially good food.
Dwayne PghGuy
1:31
What is your favorite Carrie Underwood song?
Jason Mackey
1:31
Don't have one. Like country music. Not a Carrie Underwood fan, however.
Dwayne PghGuy
1:31
What do you think the Pens are struggling so much with the Power Play?
Jason Mackey
1:32
Couple things. One, they need to be less predictable. Two, shoot the ... puck. Enough passing. Three, faceoffs. They won just three of 10 last night. It's big for them to win the O zone draw, start with possession and go to work.
Dwayne PghGuy
1:32
Of all of the local sports writers, who do you enjoy reading the most?
Jason Mackey
1:35
Good question. I like these. Probably Gene Collier. Also a big Joe Starkey fan but, really, anyone at our paper. I enjoy the accessiblity of Josh Yohe's writing, and I've long admired Travis Sawchik's analytical approach. Another beat guy I've learned a lot from being around is Ed Bouchette. Really dig the voice with which Ed writes.
copall
1:35
A couple of times since the middle of the series against Ottawa the cameras have picked up on the kind of chippy abuse Crosby has had to deal with from the opposing team's bench. Is that sort of thing common?
Jason Mackey
1:36
Teams always play Crosby physical. So that part is not. But people doing stuff to him while seated on the bench ... no, I can't say I've ever seen it with this much regularity. Good eye.
gamer
1:36
Guess my suggestion to you to start MM a few weeks back doesn't seem so crazy now, as a few on here suggested. Nothing personal against MAF, he just looked tired & shell-shocked after 2 series. It's strictly business & about winning the Cup as MM was/is tried & true. Read Cole's comments about MM never getting rattled, calming the team. No brainer, imho
Jason Mackey
1:38
Thank you for the comment. I think a few -- and I'll take the blame on this -- fell victim to the out-of-nowhere-ness of this decision. It was a big one. And Sullivan that he knows his team pretty darn well. I said he should have stuck with Fleury. It's why I'm doing this chat and not coaching NHL hockey, among many, many other reasons.
copall
1:38
Why do you think Sullivan took Geno and Kessel off of the top unit last night during one of Pittsburgh’s 5 ineffective power plays (or was it 6)? TV announcers thought Sullivan wanted a more straightforward, old-school approach to getting the puck in and to the net.
Jason Mackey
1:39
I think Sullivan would take any approach to getting the puck in the net, new, old or no school. Could be cyber school. I think he was just trying to shock the system a little. I wouldn't read too much into that moving forward, although I do believe that Sullivan's trying to get Phil's attention to shoot the puck more, on the power play or even-strength.
Dave
1:39
Splitting hairs here, but which vet had the more instrumental hand on the Pens' run to the finals in their respective years, Matt Cullen or Bill Guerin?
Jason Mackey
1:40
Yes, definitely splitting hairs. But I'd still say Billy G. Crosby needed someone like that. He'd be the first to say it. Someone to lighten the mood. This is still a really good, experienced and talented group without Cullen. Plenty of other vets. Having Cullen is huge, but more crucial? I'm going with Billy G. Just don't tell him I said that.
Bob Sacamento
1:40
Do the Predators change goalies finally switch goalies, or do they stick to the one the Pen's OWN?!
Jason Mackey
1:40
I think you have to stick with Rinne. They're not here without him. Going home, you send the wrong message by yanking him.
SL
1:40
Have you (or could you) ask Guentzel about the twirling before games? How did this superstition start??
Jason Mackey
1:41
I will. He has a lot of superstitions. I've tried before and will again. Don't get your hopes up. The young man is a heck of a hockey player. He's a wretched quote.
TomOH
1:41
Can we talk about Maatta? He has been awful these playoffs and I don't just mean last night. Yes I realize he had a couple of goals, but he might as well be a parking cone back there. Great kid, but too slow and now making mistakes with the puck turning it over. Am I the only one noticing this??? Any chance Sullivan scratches him and goes with Streit or Ruhwedel?
Jason Mackey
1:42
Yes we can talk about Olli, and no I don't think there's a chance he'll be scratched Saturday. Whether you agree or not, the coaching staff has been pretty happy with how he's played these playoffs. Last night, I'll agree, it was bad. Has been other times, too. But I think there's been more good than you're giving Maatta credit for.
Guest
1:42
I've been like, harassing you with this and I'm sorry. This link is the source of the Crosby being a fan of the TV show friends: https://t.co/WJJy3BGp8K.
Jason Mackey
1:42
Thank you. I am aware.
Sam
1:42
I'm guessing you're as familiar with the line-by-line script from "One From the Heart" as I am...I remember the line stating that Minnesota didn't mind taking some penalties because the PK was so good. Is that not Nashville in this series? Like good for them that their kill is crazy good, but boy oh boy do they take some stupid and unnecessary penalties. Pens will have to find a way to make them pay to get out of Nashville with at least one game.
Jason Mackey
1:43
Yeah, I remember what you're talking about. I think Nashville's PK is slightly less than that of the Minnesota North Stars. The Penguins power play issues are not so much what the Predators are doing as much as they are what the Penguins aren't going, if that makes sense.
Guest
1:43
If you had to trust one Penguins player to give you a haircut using scissors, who would you you pick?
Jason Mackey
1:44
Oh, easily Matt Murray. I want that hair.
Carlos
1:44
I think it's a boring question but why the referees and linesmen are missed a lot of calls? I know it's impossible see all infraction but, man, a lot of infraction it's happening in front of theirs!!
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