Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the latest edition of the Big Dave's Pens Pregame show. Glad to have you along on this Friday night for another installment. Tonight, our Penguins head to the Sunshine state to take on the defending Eastern Conference Champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Puck drops on Pens/Lightning at 7:30pm tonight, but my Pregame is available now for your enjoyment.
Tonight's "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" comes from my favorite band who also happen to be be Tampa natives. I first heard this band when I was probably 12-13 years old playing "Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball." From there, they became one of my favorite bands and are the artist behind my favorite album of all time. This song, comes off that album. The band I am referring to is metalcore band Underoath and this song comes from their outstanding album, Define the Great Line. This song is called "To Whom It May Concern." Enjoy!
The state of the Penguins
That is a term you will hear often from them. It's all about the "process." The Penguins are getting to their process, especially under Mike Sullivan.
But there are still traces of the Johnston era in this team. Wednesday night was one of those instances. The Penguins started slow and didn't engage in the game until they went down 2-0. That was very common under Johnston earlier in the season and it still happens from time to time under Sullivan.
However, don't expect that trait to stay for long.
Sullivan was furious on the bench after the Pens allowed those first two goals and the team responded. Kris Letang scored just about two minutes after Carolina's second goal. From that point on, the Pens were engaged in this contest. They fought back to take the game to overtime, but would fall after Malkin hooked Jordan Staal in the offensive zone and Jeff Skinner popped in the winner.
The Pens continue to get excellent play out of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury. Crosby assisted on both Pittsburgh goals. He has 14 points in 13 games under Mike Sullivan. Kris Letang scored his 5th of the year to turn the momentum for the Pens midway through the second period. Letang has posted 12 points in his last 8 games. The Flower played great again, bailing out the Pens on numerous occasions before being let down by his defense on two distinct occasions.
While there is some good happening, there is also a lot to be concerned about.
Firstly, the defense continues to struggle in all areas. Besides Kris Letang, the other 5 Penguins defenseman have combined for 3 points in their last 9 games. Ian Cole hasn't produced a point in 17 games and is a team worst minus-18 on the season. Ben Lovejoy hasn't posted a point in 12 games. Trevor Daley, who had 3 points in 4 games, hasn't produced a point in 9 games since the Christmas break. Olli Maatta has just one point in this time frame, while Brian Dumoulin has only 2. The Penguins need more out of their defenseman offensively. The radio team pointed out that the lack of offensive production from the blue line may be the reason for the offensive struggles of some of the forwards. I still think the Penguins biggest need is on the blueline and they need to acquire an offensive defenseman. Kevin Shattenkirk of St. Louis, who has been rumored before, would be a perfect fit for this team if a deal can be had.
Also, the bottom six has been absolutely atrocious. Nick Bonino has been awful. There is no nice way of putting it either. He has 4 points in his last 10 games and hasn't scored a goal since November 7th. Kevin Porter has done nothing to impress me, especially offensively, yet he still finds himself lineup every night. PK skills be damned, he brings little else. Matt Cullen and Eric Fehr have created good chemistry, but they need to start producing more points moving forward, especially at even strength.
Finally, we need more out of the top-six wingers. While Patric Hornqvist is heating up with 8 points in his last 10 games, others are still struggling. Exhibit A is Chris Kunitz. Kunitz scored his first goal in six games and has 3 points in his last 10. The 36-year-old veteran has done little to impress me and I still feel he is more valuable as a third liner. David Perron, who has been average away from the puck, hasn't scored a goal since December 1st. He only has 4 points in his last 10 games as well. Perron needs to start scoring. He has better hands than Kunitz but seems to find ways to miss wide open nets with regularity. Finally, there is Phil Kessel. While "the Thrill" has 6 points in his last 10 games, he still isn't playing at the dynamic and threatening level that we have seen in the past. He still looks to pass too often and needs to regain that shoot first mentality.
Despite the bad, the Penguins are still collecting points. The Pens have collected points in seven of nine games since the Christmas break. That is solid, but they still need to find a way to grind out more wins. They currently sit roughly two points out of a playoff spot entering tonight. While there is still plenty of time left, they need to get points out of as many games as possible coming down the stretch. Otherwise, they will be golfing early this spring.
Florida Hangover: The tampa Bay Lightning
If you would have told me the Lightning would be in this position after half the NHL season I wouldn't have believed you. They were coming off a Stanley Cup Finals appearance where they played great hockey. Ninety-five percent of the playoff roster was back to start the year, including the addition of Eric Condra to the fourth line to replace Brenden Morrow. The "Triplet" line was back and other players were expected to take on expanded roles to take this team to the next level.
Much of that, however, has yet to happen.
One of the major distractions in Tampa Bay has been the contract situation with franchise player and current captain Steven Stamkos. The two sides have yet to agree on a multi-year contract extension and if an agreement is not reached by July 1st, Stamkos will become the biggest named UFA on the market. Rumors are flying about Stamkos' future. Many believe he will test free agency and return home to Toronto. Some say the team will trade him by the deadline if a deal isn't reached, while others feel a deal will be done and he will remain with Tampa. Regardless of what happens in the future, the longer this goes on, the louder the distraction it will be for this team.
Speaking of trade distractions, the Lightning have another one in 2013 3rd overall selection Jonathan Drouin. The young winger has requested a trade out of the organization after being sent to the AHL roughly 2 weeks ago. Drouin played 70 games for the Lightning last year, scoring 4 goals and 32 points on the season in a bottom six role. He has been a misused talent and the young winger wants out before he is completely stunted. The Blues have had the strongest link to Drouin, but many are still in play, including the Penguins for the young winger's services.
Then you have the injuries. Breakout star Tyler Johnson has been in-and-out of the lineup all year with various injuries. He has been limited to only 30 games this season and 13 points entering tonight. His linemate, Ondrej Palat, has also been limited this season, playing only 23 games entering tonight. Drouin missed time after a hot start to the season and his slow return led to his demotion.
Through it all, the Stanley Cup hangover has likely had an effect on this team. They are 22-17-4 entering tonight's matchup with the Penguins, but they have been better of late. They are 6-3-1 over their last 10 games, including winning their last three games.
Nikita Kucherov has led the way offensively. His 18th assist Tuesday night gave him a team leading 34th point. Steven Stamkos scored two against Colorado and sits just one point behind Kucherov with 33. Defenseman Victor Hedman remains a Norris candidate with 23 points on the season and Anton Stralman has posted 20 while playing solid defense. Tyler Johnson, who had a huge year last year, has just 5 goals and 13 points and Ondrej Palat has just 10 points to this point. Vladislav Namestnikov has been big, posting 14 assists and 20 points this season while veteran netminder Ben Bishop has posted a 2.00 GAA average in his 33 games played. Bishop has 17 of the teams 22 wins.
I still think Tampa Bay is one of the deadliest teams in the Eastern Conference. Injuries and the Finals hangover has definitely affected them to this point, but I don't expect that to continue going forward. Their top six is healthy and coming into their own, while Ben Bishop has been solid in net. If they can figure out the Drouin situation and Stamkos contract, there will be no distractions left to take up their time. They can focus solely on hockey and prep for another deep spring run.
What You Need to Know About Tampa:
- 22-17-4 on the season.
- Tampa is currently on a three game win streak and has gone 6-3-1 in their lat 10.
- The Lightning is 10-8-2 at home this season.
Scoring Leaders:
- RW Nikita Kucherov - 34pts (16G-18A)
- C Steven Stamkos - 33pts (20G-13A)
- D Victor Hedman - 23pts (3G-20A)
- D Anton Stralman - 20pts (4G-16A)
- C Vladislav Namestnikov - 20pts (6G-14A)
Injury Report:
- RW Joel Vermin (upper-body) is OUT tonight. Vermin underwent hand surgery in late December and will miss about another month.
Projected Lines:
- Ondrej Palat - Steven Stamkos - Vladislav Namestnikov
- Alex Killorn - Tyler Johnson - Nikita Kucherov
- Cedric Paquette - Valtteri Filppula - Ryan Callahan
- JT Brown - Brian Boyle - Matt Carle
Projected Pairs:
- Victor Hedman - Anton Stralman
- Nikita Nesterov - Braydon Coburn
- Jason Garrison - Andrej Sustr
Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start in net tonight.
News & Notes from the Penguins
TInjury Report:
- C Nick Bonino (upper-body) is OUT tonight. Bonino returned to Pittsburgh on Wednesday after taking a puck to the hand in the 3rd period on Tuesday in Carolina. Initial reports from the Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari have Bonino missing "at least a month," and DK on Pittsburgh Sports' Josh Yohe confirmed on the Mark Madden show it is a broken hand.
- Pens have recalled F Conor Sheary from WBS. Sheary has a goal and assist in several games for the Penguins this season.
Pens/Lightning Notes:
- First of three matchups between these two teams this season.
- The Penguins went 2-1-0 v. Tampa last season.
- The home team won all three games in the series last year.
- Evgeni Malkin was the Penguins leading scorer, posting a goal and 5 points in 3 games. In 30 career games v. Tampa, Geno has 19 goals and 40 points.
- Sidney Crosby had 4 assists in two games v. Tampa.
- Marc-Andre Fleury won his only start v. Tampa last year. He's won his last 7 decisions v. Tampa.
- The Triplet Line of Kucherov, Johnson and Palat plastered the Penguins in the season series. Each player scored 5 points.
- Pittsburgh has won 11 of their last 12 v. Tampa
- The Pens have won 4 of their last 5 visits to Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Miscellaneous Notes:
- Head Coach Mike Sullivan has been named to the Team USA coaching staff for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Sullivan will once again serve as John Tortorella's assistant.
#AskBigDave
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/7/5/29758071/1905114.jpg?217)
From Brian B. on the Tweety: "On a scale of 1-10, how well do you think Kessel has played overall?"
Excellent question Brian. If we are going on a scale of 1 being dreadful and 10 being outstanding, I'll go with a solid 6 to this point. This is why:
Firstly, Kessel has posted 12 goals and 12 assists through 42 games so far this season. That isn't horrible, but it certainly isn't where we would like it. He also has 2 goals and 7 points on the powerplay thus far. Phil's 133 shots also leads the team to this point.
Then, there is the locker room thing. He's been great in the room. The guys, coaching staff, etc. rave about this guy, so he's not being the pain in the ass that Toronto painted him as for some many years. That's a point in his favor as well.
Finally, he is (knock on wood) durable. He has played in all 42 games to this point and that is huge for this team. He plays roughly 18 minutes a night. This is great considering many of the Penguins wingers over the last few years have been in-and-out of the lineup with injuries often.
That's the good, but there are some negatives.
The first is the points. It didn't help that Crosby got off to a horrendous start and that team scoring has been down overall, but Phil is better than 12 goals and 24 points through this point of the season. I think he has underachieved to this point, but that can't all be placed on him because Crosby struggled when they were together and scoring is down.
My other issue is, despite leading the team in points, he still is not shooting enough. He still seems to overpass instead of just fire shots on the goaltender. He's gotten better but he's still doing it. I'd like to see Phil shoot it more often and if he does that, more points should come.
I think Phil has underachieved to this point Brian, but I don't think he has been as bad as say Nick Bonino, David Perron or Chris Kunitz. I think Phil has done well in a new situation, building new chemistry with new guys. I think that takes some time for a sniper. So I think a "6" is a fair grade for Phil to this point.
From Reedie on the Tweety: "Most important question of all: If it all happened again, should Kris Letang cut his hair? Flow or no flow?"
Hahahaha Reedie, I absolutely love this question! I think Letang should have kept the "Flow." It just is not the same seeing him go streaking up the ice without his hair flowing in the wind and that weird strap flapping too. I think the hair was the key to the machine and I was disappointed to see it go. I really can't say more than that. Reedie, he should've kept the "Flow."
From Jeff on Facebook: "You have to remake the Avengers and can only cast current Penguins, who gets what role and why?"
Jeff, you always come up with fun questions that really make me think. This is no different. Ok, so recasting the Avengers with only the Penguins. Lets see....
Tony Stark/Iron Man - Marc-Andre Fleury: I think this is the place to start. Tony Stark is a smart ass with a bunch of flashy cars but has a heart of gold in the end. I cannot think of a better comparison than to the Flower. Fleury is known for being a funny, joking, smart ass. The guys love him for that. I think he fits that perfectly. Fleury, like Stark, has the flashy cars. If you've ever seen Marc-Andre Fleury riding into or leaving the arena, you will see no shortage of expensive, flashy cars. Sound familiar? Definitely another Stark trait. Fleury has a heart of gold, he is always there in the end. And as for the Iron Man/Fleury connection, the two are always dependable to fight to the end.
Steve Rogers/Captain America - Sidney Crosby: Captain, captain, seems easy enough. I think there is a lot of similarities between Captain America and Captain Crosby. They both are the leaders of their respective groups. Both seem to have super-human abilities and both are about the collective, greater good than they are about themselves. I think it's a fair comparison.
Bruce Banner/Hulk - Evgeni Malkin: I think we have all seen this picture posted after Malkin goals. I've used it often. This is another easy one, because when its mild-mannered Bruce Banner and off-ice Geno, the two are very similar. When Geno is on the ice and "Geno Angry" he is definitely like the Incredible Hulk. Superhuman, furious and on a mission. Do we need to discuss this one further? I think not!
Thor - Patric Hornqvist: I think this is an easy one too. Sweden is part of what is considered the "Nordic States." Thor is a Nordic god. Patric Hornqvist is Swedish. I think it makes a ton of sense. If that doesn't do it for you, then heres this. Thor is powerful and always gives his all. Patric Hornqvist has a powerful frame and never gives up. It is 100% every shift from Horny and that's one of my favorite things about him. So I think they would be a good comparison.
Natasha Romanov/Black Widow - Kris Letang: Lets face it, Scarlett Johanson is the "eye-candy" of the Avengers movies. There are few guys out there who won't say that tight, spandex suit isn't sexy. So if you asked the nation to who'd they pick on the Penguins for Black Widow, I'd be shocked if anyone didn't pick Kris Letang. He's been a heartthrob for the Pens nation for years now. Don't believe me? Listen the next time he's introduced at Consol, every lady in the joint screams for that man.
Clint Barton/Hawkeye - Phil Kessel: Hawkeye is the "sniper" of the Avengers. He's got that badass bow and he's a hell of a shot with it. He's a caring guy too, as we saw in "Age of Ultron." So if I had to pick someone on the Pens, I'd have to go with Kessel. I don't know how caring Kessel is, but man, he's certainly the Penguins big sniper. So he would have to go as Hawkeye in the Penguins Avengers.
Nick Fury - Pascal Dupuis: I think this is a good comparison to make. Nick Fury is outstandingly played by Samuel L. Jackson in the movies. In them, he is the leader of the Avengers in first movie before moving to the shadows in Age of Ultron due to what happens in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Fury is a smart ass leader who never gives up and never gives in. I think that fits Pascal Dupuis well. Duper was a smart ass, but man was he a beloved leader in that room, still is in fact. I think the comparison is just for like Fury, Dupuis was a leader of this team and now, due to his health and forced retirement, is a leader from the outside, yet still an important part of the team.
Jeff, I hope that answers your question well enough.
Projected LInes & Pairs
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
- David Perron - Evgeni Malkin - Phil Kessel
- Tom Kuhnhackl - Eric Fehr - Bryan Rust
- Kevin Porter - Matt Cullen - Sergei Plotnikov
Pairs:
- Kris Letang - Olli Maatta
- Brian Dumoulin - Ben Lovejoy
- Trevor Daley - Ian Cole
Marc-Andre Fleury will start in net tonight.
My 3 Keys to the Game
2. Special Teams: The power play looked atrocious on Tuesday. I'd like to see the power play of game previous where they were in the zone and executing their plan. If they can get in the zone and get shots off, they should be ok. Same for the PK. They lost their streak in the OT on Tuesday, but has played really well of late. They will be tested without Nick Bonino in the lineup, but Kuhnhackl, Rust and Sid could be used to kill as well.
3. Net Front: The Penguins need to get bodies to the net. Ben Bishop, all 6-6 of him, will see almost everything coming if there are no screens. Hornqvist, Kunitz, Perron, Fehr and Kuhnhackl need to get to the net and they need to create havoc in front of Bishop. Otherwise, it will be easy pickings for the hot goaltender.
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Eric Fehr: Fehr will likely slot up to replace Bonino tonight. He has been unhappy with his low minutes, now he will get the chance to play more. He needs to do something with it. He has underachieved in my view, despite scoring three shorties on the year. He needs to play to his size and be a more dynamic offensive talent that we know he is capable of. Time to show it.
3. Treovr Daley: I still like the deal the Penguins made for Daley, but he has struggled over the last 9 games. I think a lot of that is being tethered to the struggling Ian Cole on the third pairing. Daley has no points in those 9 games, while he had 3 points in his three games alongside Olli Maatta. If Cole can get going, or Daley is paired with someone that will allow him to get forward, then Daley should start posting points again.
What to Know for Watching/Listening
- ROOT Sports has the coverage tonight. Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey with the call beginning at 7:30pm. Dan Potash will have the interviews.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage beginning at 7:00pm.
- Penguins Post Game will follow the game action.
Here is what you need to know if you're LISTENING to tonight's game:
- 105.9 The X, the Penguins app, the Penguins website and iHeart Radio app are all places you can pick up the game tonight.
- Mike Lange and Phil Bourque will have the game call beginning at 7:30pm.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage at 6:30pm. Josh Getzoff will host.
- Penguins Hot Line will follow the game action.
Pens Points:
- ROOT Sports Pregame Keyword: 5pts
- ROOT Sports Post Game Keyword: 5pts
- Pens Radio Keyword: 5pts
- Miller Lite Nite at Cadillac Ranch in Pittsburgh: 25pts
- Miller Lite Nite at BLVD Pub and Kitchen in Canonsburg: 25pts