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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 05.11.22
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Matt Vensel
12:11
Hey, Penguins fans. Pumped to talk hockey again before Game 5. We'll get today's chat going here from MSG at 1 p.m. But you can submit your questions now if you would like. Talk to you soon.
1:01
All right, I'm ready to rock. Some quick notes before we get going. Brian Dumoulin and Rickard Rakell are out again tonight. Mike Sullivan says Jason Zucker is "fine" but also didn't say explicitly that Zucker is in for Game 5. And Tristan Jarry took a step in rehab process by taking part in the morning skate. First time he took shots in a team setting since breaking his foot four weeks ago. Now let's get going.
Brah
1:01
Why all the hate for Malkin? He's still playing at a pretty high level and is an effective player IMO, specifically on the PP. Also, how is he not regarded at the 3rd greatest Penguin of all-time, I don't even think there is an argument.
Matt Vensel
1:04
I don't know that I've heard many complaints about Malkin in this series. His line has been good. Generally speaking, both Malkin and Kris Letang are polarizing players for some reason, which is honestly wild given their contributions to the team over the years. Totally fair to critique them. Totally fair to question whether they should be brought back. But the vitriol with those two still blows my mind. They are all-time Penguins greats.
Joe
1:04
Heard that Getzloff said that Dumoulin was in bad shape. What are you hearing? Is the day to day pronouncement like the day to day pronouncement on Letang when he was out the entire 2017 playoffs lol?
Matt Vensel
1:06
Brian Dumoulin, who has a lower-body injury, has not been on the ice since the morning skate before Game 2. But Mike Sullivan said he is progressing in his off-ice recovery. I happened to be in an elevator with Dumoulin a little bit ago. There was no walking boot or anything obvious like that. And a couple of teammates and he were walking back to the hotel, for whatever that's worth.
1:07
Also, if you want to be humbled, dress like a dad like me then step out of an elevator after three professional athletes wearing suits worth more than your car...
Joe
1:08
Zucker is clearly gutting it out. Is he out for Game 5, not having appeared on the ice the last two optional practices?
Matt Vensel
1:11
Joe, no doubt that he is gutting it out. He has been spotted sitting on a chair next to the bench between shifts, which is not exactly common. And he was wincing in pain and grabbing at his core after a collision with a Rangers defender in Game 4. Mike Sullivan just told us that he is "fine." And Drew O'Connor stayed out for a while after the morning skate, suggesting that O'Connor won't play tonight. So looks like Zucker will give it a go.
Guest
1:12
Matt, lots has been written recently about how well Kapanen has been playing along side Geno. When Rakell returns, Sullivan will have to decide which two out of three righties - Rakell, Rust, Kapanen - get top 6 minutes. How do you think it will play out.
Matt Vensel
1:14
Kapanen and Heinen have definitely given Sullivan something to think about, in a good way. The Malkin line has been effective (so have the other three). And having Malkin be a threat at 5-on-5 is so important to this team's Cup chances. So I wouldn't want to tinker with that if it continues. That would leave Rakell to skate with Carter and Zucker (if healthy) and give the Pens great balance theoretically. It's also worth noting that Rakell can play either wing. So maybe the compromise is having the second line be Rakell-Malkin-Kapanen.
Guest
1:15
Louis has been a nice story, and I'm amazed and impressed that he has held the fort to this point.  But when you watch him play, his mobility, angles, and anticipation just seem so far removed from NHL caliber goalies.  I can't see any scenario where they would do this before Jarry might come back, but if Jarry can make it back, are there any better number 2 FA goalies on the market that they could bring in to get some work and prepare to take over as the number 2 if Jarry went out again in this playoffs?
Matt Vensel
1:17
This is a fair assessment of Louis Domingue. What he did in Game 1, coming in cold (and with a full belly) in that situation, was incredible. But he has very much looked like a fringe NHLer the last three games. I don't think it's a question about confidence. He believes in himself, and I do think that has had a calming influence on the team. But his ability is just not on the same level as even Casey DeSmith. That said, he is the second goalie going forward if the Pens take care of business against the Rangers.
Guentzel59
1:18
Thanks for doing this Matt. Do you expect Rakell to return next game if there’s a game 6 and could you see Jarry playing this series if needed? Thanks and go pens!
Matt Vensel
1:21
I do not believe that Rakell has been cleared for contact, which is noteworthy because he is working his way back from a head injury. That makes it tougher to speculate on his return because the recovery from head injuries aren't always linear. But it can't be a bad thing that he's been on the ice a few days in a row now and the Penguins have him out on the ice in practice, where there are plenty of bodies for him to accidentally bump into.
The Real TP Hunter
1:21
Does Coach Vensel start Igor Shesterkin tonight?
Matt Vensel
1:22
Rangers coach Gerard Gallant declared immediately after Game 4 that Shesterkin would start tonight. I actually don't think he was awful in Game 4 (he was in Game 3). Just too many point-blank shots and deflections for the Penguins. Patrick Roy or Marty Brodeur wouldn't have stolen that game either. The numbers we get from Sportlogiq show just how utterly dominant the Pens have been all series. It's truly eye-popping stuff.
Kris
1:24
Matt, quick question.  If the Pens close out tonight and Carolina knocks out Boston tomorrow, would the NHL move the playoff series up to start over the weekend?
Matt Vensel
1:25
No. The NHL waits for every series to be over before moving onto the next round. So you are good to start planning your cookout if the Penguins win tonight.
Pensguentzsid
1:26
Do you think Dumoulin might be dealing with a groin issue?
Matt Vensel
1:27
I have no idea what the issue is, nor have I seen anyone else report on that either. What I do know is that he got hurt in Game 1 and prior to Game 2 there was a shot he would try to play but he ultimately did not take warmups and sat that out. Since then he hasn't skated.
Jerry
1:28
Matt, part of the Rangers’ game plan in games one and two seemed to be to punish the Penguins physically.  Then the series shifted to Pittsburgh and it was like NY forgot how to hit. What do you think the Penguins did that led to the change?
Matt Vensel
1:30
We had from Sullivan assistant Rick Tocchet on our podcast a few days ago and asked him about that. He noted that the Penguins tweaked their breakout a bit to try to make quicker plays to negate it. Their forwards have also been doing a better job of becoming available sooner. Louis Domingue is a decent puck-handler, too, which has probably helped at least a little bit. But the Rangers also haven't had the same vigor and physicality. Did Ryan Reaves even play in Games 3 and 4? The box score says he did but I didn't notice him once.
arnold slick
1:33
Do you know why Bourquey and Josh weren't on the radio broadcast on Monday? thanks!
Matt Vensel
1:35
The Penguins said they were unavailable due to the NHL's COVID protocol. They are still back in Pittsburgh. So Colby Armstrong and Paul Steigerwald will have the radio call again tonight.
Jason
1:35
Hey Matt! All I want out of this series is a win and the entire team and staff to wave bye bye after the handshake. Anything else that happens afterwards is just gravy! What are the odds the Pens will make the fans happy and rub some of that salt back in the wounds? Am I being to petty or is this something to look forward to?
Matt Vensel
1:37
Jason, I do not expect to see something like that from the Penguins, at least from their veteran players. They are a classy group with bigger fish to fry than the Rangers.
Tom
1:39
I am wondering if one of the reasons we are playing inspired hockey, and I am sure there are more than one, is because of the third string goalie being in and the feeling they have to play aggressive yet really disciplined to give him a chance. I hope and expect that mindset does not change when Jarry is back in so we don't slump back to our end of regular season bad habits. What is your take?
Matt Vensel
1:39
I do think there is credence to that, for sure. Their defensive effort in Game 4 was probably their best this entire season. We'll see if this is the start of a much stingier collective mindset going forward.
86
1:41
Matt, Thanks for doing this.  This series is reminiscent of Cup runs past when the Pens "broke" the other team's goalie and finally the other team.  Do you consider that a good sign moving forward (not to get too ahead of things, I was around in 1975).
Matt Vensel
1:42
I don't know how much of a carryover there will be, but breaking a goalie who should finish as a Hart Trophy finalist certainly can't hurt their confidence going forward.
LostInCapsLand
1:42
If you would have said the pens have a chance to close out the series in 5 games, most people would have thought you were crazy! Are the rangers overrated or are the pens that good?
Matt Vensel
1:44
It's obviously a bit of both, but I'm more inclined to give the Pens credit for the discipline and relentlessness they've shown. Definitely a wacky series to this point.
Earpiece
1:45
Hey Matt- random equipment question - why do Sid and Malkin appear to be the only players that have the ear protection pieces in their helmets. I know pro players like lighter helmets for the most part, but Sid and Malkin have their ear pieces in and gain more protection/likely hear things differently - literally (and I imagine not as clearly ironically - given their elite status) Is this superstar treatment (all others must cut every corner/ounce of weight to stay in the line-up) or do they have some type of ear piece because they are captains? It appears Sid and Malkin are the outliers here (or hear).
Matt Vensel
1:45
This is deep. I just think it's their personal preference.
Kevin
1:46
Matt. Seems to me that the Pens have found a new "right way to play" Maybe after only 4 goals in the 4 regular season games against the Rangers they realized they were not the faster team on the ice anymore?
Matt Vensel
1:48
The Rangers are obviously a fast team but I thought their presumed speed advantage over the Penguins was overstated a few weeks back when the Rangers took their final three regular-season meetings. There's a difference between skating fast and playing fast. The Penguins are locked in now, playing within structure, making quick decisions and now the Rangers are the ones more often looking a step slow.
bring back Hanratty
1:48
Hi Matt.  I know we don't want to think about it yet, but what's your guess on which of 71, 58, and 17 is/are back next year?  Thanks, and it would be great to have these chats every week year round!
Matt Vensel
1:51
Tough to say now because I think what happens over the next few weeks, particularly with Malkin, will dictate how desirable retaining them will be. My expectation is at least two of them will be back. Kris Letang, to me, is the most valuable of the three given the role he plays and that he projects to hold up OK physically for at least a couple more years. But that's a double-edged sword because other teams are going to value him, too, if he reaches free agency. Anyway, I can understand why this is of interest to Penguins fans. But my advice is to try to just sit back and enjoy this ride, just in case it is the last one together for this current core.
Bob
1:52
What’s your prediction for tonight’s game?
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