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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 05.03.22
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Matt Vensel
10:23
It's playoff time, hockey fans! I am in NYC with the Post-Gazette team to cover Penguins-Rangers. We'll chat today at 1 p.m. Feel free to submit your question(s) at any time. Talk to you soon!
1:02
All right, folks. I'm ready to rock. I see some questions are in the queue already but can definitely use more. I plan to go for about a half hour today then knock out a pre-game run. Let's get started.
Jay Daven
1:03
Matt, the Pens need to win the first game.  If there is only ONE thing they need to do better is it with  the offense on 5 on 5 or offense on power play, defense (5 on 5) or defense short-handed, eliminate turnovers, or some some luck around the net?  NOTE: I was going to say good goaltending but if the defense is playing well his job is easy.
Matt Vensel
1:05
Jay, first off, yes, it would be nice if they won Game 1 for once. They lost Game in their last three playoff series. We know how those went. As for picking one key era of emphasis, I do think puck management might be the biggest key to the series. The Pens have to play a tight game, avoid the brutal giveaways and make the Rangers work for their goals at 5-on-5. If they do that, the games should be low-scoring and winnable.
ZO
1:05
Hello!  Any word on tonight's starting lineup?  I was hoping to see O'Connor get a shot.  Perhaps he "gets a hat" in place of "Kappy?"  An influx of that "young energy" that helped lead the Pens to the 2016 surely can't hurt.  Thoughts?
Matt Vensel
1:07
ZO, today's morning skate was optional so we didn't get a look at lines. But at practice on Sunday and Monday they used the same lineup as the season finale. So Rust skating with Crosby, Heinen in Zucker's spot on Malkin's left wing, Kapanen on the third line and Drew O'Connor a healthy scratch. I'd imagine that is the look tonight.
Jason S.
1:08
What's the status of Nathan Beaulieu?  He started skating a few weeks back, but I haven't heard anything since.  Is there any room for him on the blue line should he get healthy enough, and god willing they get past the first round, to be inserted into the lineup as a bigger body to clear bodies from the front of the net?
Matt Vensel
1:10
Jason, Beaulieu has been practicing without contract restrictions for a while now and appears to be cleared to return. Now it's about getting familiarity with new teammates and getting a better grasp of what the Penguins expect from their defensemen, all while knocking off any remaining rust. Mike Sullivan said the other day that Beaulieu is definitely "an option" for him in the playoffs. But it will take Marcus Pettersson or another regular faltering for that door to open.
ZO
1:10
Do you feel that Jarry could be rushed back for Game 3 if DeSmith doesn't do his best "Moose" impression for games 1 and 2?  Or this too unrealistic of a timeline considering his broken foot?
Matt Vensel
1:12
Given that Tristan Jarry still has not been spotted on the ice since he broke his foot, I can't imagine Game 3 is a possibility. Throwing him into a game is one thing. Having him at a suitable level of performance is another. Rushing him back when his game is not ready would do no favors for the Penguins or their All-Star goalie.
Stuck-in-Philly
1:13
I know the past few seasons have resulted in first round exits and largely uninspired play, but I have a feeling we may be in store for a few offensive explosions from the Pens and I think this series is bound to go at least 6 games.  My question:  do you have any doubt that the prospect of 87, 71 and 58 lacing-up the skates together for the last time will result in some magic for a least a few games?
Matt Vensel
1:16
The Rangers have the edge in many areas entering the series. So if you are looking for hope to cling on to, the notion that the Big Three won't go out with a whimper is a good place to start. I agree that the Penguins will put up a fight in this series even though their play and their energy level was pretty poor down the stretch. But I do believe they will lose in six or seven games.
GPT
1:17
Any credence that being the 'underdog' might help take some of the pressure off of the Pens?
Matt Vensel
1:19
It definitely does not take the pressure off. There is a lot at stake here. For the Big Three, this could be their last run together. For Malkin and Letang and Rust, they have future contracts hanging in the balance. For Sullivan, another first-round exit could put his job in jeopardy. They know expectations are high in Pittsburgh. This is what they signed up for. So they have to be feeling a little bit of pressure, as does the whole hockey operation in general. That said, the underdog thing could definitely be a motivating factor for this proud group of veterans if they are looking for more fuel for their fire.
pozone6031
1:20
I see the Pens out in 4 or 5 games.I see radical changes in offseasopn./ Sul;livan might even go and the last 5 yearts say he should What say you?
Matt Vensel
1:21
I do think if they lose in four or five games, especially if those games aren't all that competitive, it would be crazy if the Penguins again convinced themselves they only needed a little offseason tinkering. But let's give them a chance to play these games first and see what happens.
LN
1:22
My head says pens loose but my heart says they can’t go out first round again , do you think sully has any wrinkles or tactical changes he can throw at the rangers to surprise them ?  Or does he stick with the same old speed game ?
Matt Vensel
1:23
LN, sure, they can and will make some tactical tweaks. But the roster is the roster and it was built to play this familiar way. So don't expect anything significantly different.
RPK
1:24
I don't see this Penguins keeping up with the Rangers speed or physically.  Sorry to say that it will be another early exit for HC MS and the Pens.  Your thoughts?
Matt Vensel
1:27
The Rangers do have more size but I don't see that as that big of a deal considering how they play. They are not a heavy forecheck team and aren't overwhelming with their cycle game. The speed question is a legit one because the Rangers did look faster than the Penguins in their last three meetings. But the Penguins can neutralize that with patience and smarter decision-making and are still capable of using their own speed to fluster the Rangers if they amp up their energy in puck pursuit and chase the puck in an intelligent way, doing so collectively.
Scorekeeper
1:28
Speaking of "more fuel their fire", how much fuel do you think that the Shesterkin wave goodbye at the end of the last regulation game will have on the Pens in this series?
Matt Vensel
1:29
Little to none. They'd want to score on him regardless.
Mark
1:29
If the Pens win this series, the coaching and talent is good enough to go on a cup run, if they lose this series, get rid of all the players and coaches.  Isn't it funny how sports work?
Matt Vensel
1:31
I agree with your general point that some fans and some media often overreact after playoff disappointments. It's VERY difficult to win and I do think Penguins fans, who have been spoiled by the team's success, need to be reminded of that sometimes. That said, they are 3-11 in their last three playoff series. And if they bow out early again, they'd have to take a hard look at what they've been doing and why they keep coming up short.
Hockey Man
1:32
Who is playing with Geno and Rackel?
Matt Vensel
1:33
Looks like it will be Danton Heinen in Game 1. Jason Zucker has officially been ruled out. But he is on this trip and participated in the optional morning skate. So there's a chance he could be ready to play in Game 2, though the Penguins would probably holding their breath that he didn't exit another game early, forcing them to play with 11 forwards. It's definitely a delicate situation.
Ryan
1:34
Good afternoon Matt thanks for doing this who scores the first goal for the pens I’m going with rust or rakell
Matt Vensel
1:35
Ryan, I know he had a quiet second half, but I feel like Jeff Carter will put on his playoff pants and score a couple of big goals in this series. Why not the first one?
ZO
1:36
Who would you say is the "X" factor in the outcome of tonight's game?  Geno of vintage playoff form shows?  Shesterkin is a brick wall?  DeSmith stands on his head to steel one?  Crosby gives another playoff performance that has him being discussed as part of the NHL Mt Rushmore of all time?
Matt Vensel
1:37
To me, the story one way or another will be whether the Penguins can finally fire some pucks past Igor Shesterkin, the Vezina Trophy favorite. They beat him just four times in four games during the regular season. If they can only muster a couple of goals, that probably won't leave enough of a margin for error for Casey DeSmith.
Matt Vensel
1:39
That will do it for today's chat. Some really great questions, per usual. Enjoy the game and we will do this again before Game 2.
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