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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 11.14.19
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Matt Vensel
12:57
Good afternoon, Penguins fans. Submit your questions now. We'll get going as soon as I scarf down this piece of pizza in front of me.
1:02
OK. That was tremendous. Stick-tap to my wife for making that.
Let's talk Pens. Gonna be a quick one if I don't get more questions...
go for six
1:03
Matt, will we  see this team take a first-period lead before the end of the year?
Matt Vensel
1:05
Are we talking calendar year or end of season? They'll definitely get one by the end of the season. Not sure about in 2019. Anyway, to get to the gist of your question, these early deficits have become a problem. It's been fun watching them come back and earn points. I mean, five points in four straight games where they've fallen behind by two or more goals! But this obviously isn't a sustainable way to play. Not sure if there is a common thread other than a lack of finishing ability early in games. But they need to find a way to put more pucks in the net before the 30-minute mark.
DG
1:05
Any update as to when Hornqvist returns?
Matt Vensel
1:06
We've not heard much about the injuries to Patric Hornqvist and Kris Letang. As far as I know, neither has been skating. Mike DeFabo is with the team in New Jersey and will try to get an update today.
Kevin
1:06
Here’s a thought,  why not bring BRYAN RUST up to the second power play unit?
Matt Vensel
1:07
Sure, why not go with the hot hand? He's not the most skilled player for that kind of setting. He gets his goals from skating hard and fast and going to the right places, particularly in transition. But he can't do much worse than what they've got going on, right?
Dan
1:08
With Casey DeSmith playing lights out in WBS do you think Tristan Jarry could be part of a package to acquire a Center or scoreing winger ?
Matt Vensel
1:10
The Penguins were open to trading Jarry this summer and I don't think that has changed. The question is how much other teams value him. I'm guessing now much. Jarry was pretty solid in his three starts, though he won just one of them. That's a very small sample size, surely not enough to convince another team he has made huge strides in his development. We'll surely see him in goal this weekend. We'll see what he does with it. Casey, as you note, has been rounding back into form. Two straight shutouts down in WBS.
Tbone
1:11
Is there any chatter on trades in regards to the recent rash of injuries? I heard the rumors of Taylor Hall that I find far-fetched...
Matt Vensel
1:12
You know Jim Rutherford. His phone is always on. But you have to give something to get something. What do the Penguins have that might interest another team, especially a Metro rival that presumably doesn't want to hand a former MVP to the Pens for very little?
1:13
Don't be bashful, folks. Got a question? Send it over.
Guest
1:13
What is a reasonable record that the Penguins should have without Crosby? 500 hockey? Is that reasonable or should they play a little above that?
Matt Vensel
1:16
The timing of Sid's surgery, which the Penguins say will keep him out 4-to-6 weeks, isn't ideal given how cluttered their schedule is between now and the Christmas break. Based on their timetable, he will miss around 20-25 games. They had an awful November last year and we able to rebound to make the playoffs. So they do have some wiggle room if Crosby is close to 100 percent when he returns. So, something like 6-10-4 would be acceptable, no?
Rick from Orlando
1:17
Shouldn’t Coach Sullivan be giving Jarry some starts to keep him somewhat fresh if he is indeed called upon due to injury or poor play by Murray?
Matt Vensel
1:19
Rick, I think they should give him more starts so they don't overwork Murray, who has a history of minor injuries. Murray's started 15 of 18 games, I believe. That puts him on pace to start 65 to 70. Now, he did get a relatively quick hook in Boston. I wonder if Jarry getting close to two periods that night changed their plans at all. Jarry wasn't good in that game but so far has responded well to the challenge of playing once every week or two. That was a big question and remains one. We'll see Jarry this weekend. I'm assuming Saturday.
Guest
1:19
The NBC sports broadcast showed a statistic this week that the Pens record is actually slightly better without Crosby in the lineup than with him in the lineup (since he was drafted). Did that surprise you? Would have expected the opposite. Can't recall the numbers, but they weren't that far apart.
Matt Vensel
1:21
Yes, it does. It helps to have Evgeni Malkin. I don't know that you can say with certainty that he is a top-10 center in the league anymore. He's got to show that on the ice. But having that caliber of player for all those years helped the Penguins remain very competitive with Crosby out. It's well-documented that Malkin's numbers have been a little better with Crosby out. But, yeah, I would not have guessed that they actually had a better record. That's interesting.
Dan
1:22
Matt in watching as many games as I can is it me or is The Eastern Conference that much better this year..man no weak sisters...Pens need to get as many points now as they can...
Matt Vensel
1:24
Dan, good observation. That dovetails with my previous comment about what kind of record the Penguins need to put up with Crosby out. The can't dig too deep of a hole this year, which there being, by my estimation, 11 competitive teams in the East this year. That does not right now include the Devils, which could very well turn it around this season. They certainly have star power.
Lord of Carson
1:24
Matt, enjoy the chance to converse.  Is it far fetched to ponder why Tanev, contract and all is locked onto the 4th line and the great Simon is still getting top 6 minutes?
Matt Vensel
1:27
Thanks for the question. Happy to chat. I believe that's something Mark Madden brought up recently and I thought it was a good point. Mike Sullivan really likes the ZAR-Blueger-Tanev line, and for good reason. They've been a really effective two-way line, one that might be pretty valuable come playoff time. But right now, the Penguins could use a jolt with Crosby out. So if I were Sullivan, I would, as you said, think hard about putting Tanev back in a top-six role and see what happens. You can always put him back with Teddy and ZAR.
Lord of Carson
1:27
What in your opinion might be missing for this team to potentially a Cup contender aside from health if anything?
Matt Vensel
1:32
I agree that health is the big one, especially when it comes to their big guns, because they do appear to have the makings of a good playoff team otherwise. The two things that come to mind are Matt Murray and the third line. Obviously, with goaltending, you just have to hope Murray can be the guy we saw during the two Cup runs. He has been good this year but has stolen only a game or two maybe. Then there's the third line, specifically the center spot, which has been a worry ever since Nick Bonino left. I'm not ready to give up on Nick Bjugstad yet. He's a skilled guy who brings something different to the table with his size. But it's fair to wonder how he fits with the way the Penguins want to play and if the production will ever be there. His lines have done a good job of establishing possession but not many pucks have gone in the net. Might Rutherford take another swing at that pinata before the trade deadline?
Guest
1:33
What do you think have been the largest improvements from last year? I personally would say the defensive zone exits seem much smoother and well-executed. This has led to much better, faster transitions which was a hallmark of those championship teams.
Matt Vensel
1:36
Good observation. That has to be the biggest one, right? There were too many shifts last year where the Penguins were stick in quicksand in their zone. Having a healthy Schultz and finding John Marino have been huge for the Penguins. I'd say giveaways in general have been down, especially in the neutral zone and near the opponent's blue line, so there have been fewer odd-mans. And I believe there has been more determination and structure with the forecheck. Factor all that together, along with a more balanced Penguins lineup and a new air in the locker room, and you can see why they have gotten off to a pretty good start despite the many, many, many injuries.
1:37
OK, folks. That's it for today. Thanks for joining the chat and sending over your questions. We'll do this again soon. Have a great weekend.
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