Good day Penguins nation and welcome to the latest edition of the Big Dave's Pens Pregame. Glad to have you aboard today as the Penguins are in New York City to face John Tavares and the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Puck drops on Pens/Isles at 1:00pm today, but the Pregame is live now for your enjoyment hours ahead of time...
Today's "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" comes from one of my favorite bands right now. I was never a huge fan of these guys, then my buddies put me through the "21 Days of Fall Out Boy" where they gave me a new song every day and why the song is awesome. I was hooked and still am. This song comes off their latest album, "American Beauty/American Psycho." It is "Twin Skeleton's (Hotel In NYC)" enjoy!!!
The State of the Penguins
I feel that phrase is a perfect fit for the state of the Penguins for today. The Penguins are currently a train that cannot be stopped. They have been hit with injuries to key players. They have given up a bunch of goals early. They have faced some of the NHL's best and some of their worst the last few weeks. And besides a few bumps in the track, nothing has stopped this train.
The Penguins continued their outstanding play Thursday night when they dismantled the Nashville Predators by a 5-2 final score. It was a great game all-around by the team in the black and gold sweaters, but there were a couple guys I need to mention specifically.
First, Kris Letang. I have been a detractor of Letang's defensive play this year, especially early, but there is no discounting his importance to this team right now. Letang has played over 30 minutes in three of the last four games. For most, it would tire them out, wear them down. Not Kris Letang; in fact, he has only gotten better the more minutes he has logged. Over these last four games, Tanger has posted 2 goals, 6 points, 21 shots and a plus-5 rating. Quite the showing from him.
Next, Phil Kessel. I have written and tweeted often how this guy has not played up to potential and has generally been a disappointment this season. However, if he keeps playing like he has the last two weeks, I'll eat every bad word I said. The Phil has been incredibly impressive of late, and was outstanding in the win Thursday night. Kessel has 3 goals and 9 points over his last four games. He has finally started to look like the dynamic sniper we saw so often in Toronto. Case and point, his second goal of the night Thursday was a patented Kessel snipe. Thin Mints as John Buccigross would say.
Finally, there is the Captain. There is no discounting that the season's turnaround is due to the hiring of Mike Sullivan, but if one player can be responsible, it is Sidney Crosby. His numbers under Sullivan are staggering, as he has scored 61 points since December 14th. Of late, he's been just flawless. Crosby scored 20 points over the 16 games in March. He was named the NHL's 1st Star of March on Friday and continues to roll through the points. It will be hard to catch Patrick Kane for the Art Ross, but he is the clear cut league MVP in my book.
Today, the Penguins head into Brooklyn for a crucial showdown with the Islanders. A playoff spot is all-but locked up at this point, but seeding is still crucial. The Pens currently enter the day in second in the Metropolitan Division, meaning if the season ended right now we would have home ice for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While I personally feel home ice doesn't matter so much these days, it would still be a boost to host the first two games of the series and the potential game seven. The Pens need to win this game in New York today to stay ahead of the Rangers, but also to keep the Islanders at bay as well. I expect a close, playoff style game today. Should be fun.
For All the Marbles: NY Islanders
New York currently sits just two points behind their cross-town rivals for the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. They of course would like to keep moving up the standings, even if it means playing the streaking Penguins in the first round. And I think the Islanders are capable of doing so.
Despite just a 5-4-1 record over their last 10 games, the Islander enter today's matinee on a three-game win streak. They haven't missed a step since Jarsolav Halak went down for the rest of the regular season with a lower-body injury, However, they do have a tough stretch to close the season, even with a game in-hand over everyone else in the division. After today's game, the Isles will face Tampa, Washington, the Rangers, Buffalo and Philadelphia. That is a tough closing schedule, made a little more difficult with the loss of top-4 defenseman Travis Hamonic earlier in the week.
Today, the Penguins will have to make sure they keep tabs on all four lines for the Isles. While John Tavares and Kyle Okposo have had decent years, the Isles have been somewhat fortunate to get consistent scoring up and down their lineup. Tavares has 61 points, a down year for him, while Kyle Okposo has 58. Besides them, Frans Nielsen has 49, Brock Nelson has 38 and Anders Lee 35. On the blue line, Nick Leddy leads the way with 39 points, while partner Johnny Boychuk has 24 through just 65 games. Finally, the Penguins will have to make sure the fourth line of the Isles doesn't torch them, as the tend to do. The line of Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck are considered the best fourth line in hockey, and it is hard to argue that with their staunch defensive play and combined 65 points on the year.
A big game for both sides. Each team needs the points for their respective reasons. I think we are in for a good showdown today...
What You Need to Know About the Islanders:
- 42-25-9 overall record.
- The Isles 95 points currently has them tied with the Rangers for third in the division, but holding on to the first wild card spot by virtue of a tie-break.
- The Isles are on a 3-game winning streak, despite only playing to a 5-4-1 record over their last 10 games.
- Despite fans and players alike disliking the Barclays Center, the Isles have gone 24-9-4 at home this season.
Scoring Leaders:
- C John Tavares - 61pts (29G-32A)
- RW Kyle Okposo - 58pts (21G-37A)
- C Frans Nielsen - 49pts (19G-30A)
- D Nick Leddy - 39pts (5G-34A)
- LW Brock Nelson - 38pts (25G-13A)
Injury Report:
- D Travis Hamonic (lower-body) is OUT today and the remainder of the regular season. A tough blow to the Isles, as Hamonic plays top-4 minutes for them on the blue line, but the hope is he could play in the playoffs.
- G Jaroslav Halak (lower-body) is OUT today. Halak was injured against the Penguins the last time the two sides played in Brooklyn. He remains out, but the team is hopeful for his return during the playoffs.
- C Mikhail Grabovski (upper-body) is OUT today. Grabovski has missed time of late with what seem like concussion symptoms, though no one has explicitly admitted it. He has resumed skating, but he was shut down after the last game v. Pittsburgh after missing time as well.
- D Adam Pelech (upper-body) is a game-time decision today. The young defenseman hasn't played since January, but he is practicing with the team and could replace the now injured Travis Hamonic today.
Projected Lines:
- Josh Bailey - John Tavares - Ryan Strome
- Nikolay Kulemin - Frans Nielsen - Kyle Okposo
- Shane Prince - Brock Nelson - Anders Lee
- Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Projected Pairs:
- Nick Leddy - Johnny Boychuk
- Calvin de Haan - Travis Hickey
- Brian Strait - Marek Zidlicky
Thomas Greiss is expected to start in net for New York.
News & Notes from Around the Pens
- G Marc-Andre Fleury is OUT today and has no timetable for return after being diagnosed with a concussion Friday. He did not travel with the team to New York.
- F Bryan Rust (undisclosed) is OUT today. Rust missed Thursday's game and didn't skate on Friday either. He likely will continue to rest whatever is ailing him.
- D Brian Dumoulin (upper-body) is a game-time decision today. Dumoulin resumed skating mid-week and practiced with the team yesterday. Sullivan may give him another game, but I'd like to see him reinserted into the lineup if he is ready to go.
- C Evgeni Malkin (upper-body) continues to skate, but he has not been shooting as of yet. Shooting will be the next step, as Malkin rehabs an injury to his arm.
Pens/Isles Matchup Notes:
- The final game of four regular season meetings between the two sides.
- The Penguins are 2-1-0 in the series this year, while New York is 1-1-1.
- Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang lead Penguins scorers in the season series with four points each.
- Marc-Andre Fleury has the two Penguin wins in net.
- Frans Nielsen leads the Islanders in scoring v. Pittsburgh this year with four points. Defenseman Nick Leddy has three points in three games as well.
Miscellaneous Notes:
- The Penguins are 10-1 over their last 11 games, including wins in the last four.
- The Penguins are averaging 3.46 goals per game at home since Mike Sullivan took over on December 14th. That mark is the best in the NHL in that timeframe.
- The Penguins are a perfect 36-0-0 when leading a game after two periods.
- C Sidney Crosby was named the NHL's 1st Star of the Month yesterday. Crosby has 20 points in 16 games in March.
- Marc-Andre Fleury was named the Penguins "Player's Player" this season. He also earned his 35th win of the season on Thursday, making it the 7th time in career he has won at least 35 games in a season.
- RW Phil Kessel has 21 points over his last 22 games, including 9 points over his last four.
#AskBigDave
Let me start with the second question listed above. I would absolutely not switch up the Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel line any time soon unless it absolutely flatlines over the next few weeks. Desperate times, call for desperate measures. If the Penguins get desperate, then you change that line. So no, I don't break that line up for anything, even a healthy Evgeni Malkin.
Next, I wouldn't play Geno with Sid as my first choice. In fact, it would be one of the last options I consider after thinking on this for the last couple of days. The two just don't work that greatly together, and though it opens up ice for each, it just hasn't worked historically. Maybe under Coach Sullivan that would change, but right now that would be my third option.
This may sound crazy, but when Malkin returns there are two methods I would go with. The first, which may be crazy, is to take a note out of Mike Johnston's book and go with the pair system. I would keep Hornqvist with Sid, as they work well together, the 62-13-81 line together come hell or high-water, and then have Kunitz play with Malkin and put Bennett on the right side. If the Penguins did that, then they could put Eric Fehr up on the top line to play a similar role as Kunitz. It think that method could work, as Malkin and Kunitz have chemistry and Bennett plays a more east-west game like Geno.
I also have no issues with Malkin centering Fehr and Bennett. I think they could work together decently enough, especially if the top two lines keep playing at their current rate. That would be my second option for when Malkin returns. I should also mention that, like the second line, I absolutely do NOT want to break up Cullen-Kuhnhackl-Rust for any reason besides injury. They play too well together to pull them apart.
Nick B. on the Tweety asks: "Why do you think the Pens are doing so well without Geno when everybody said they were done without him?"
GUMPTION NICK! ITS ALL ABOUT GUMPTION!!!
Hahahaha, I do love that word, but seriously, it has a lot to do with this team's intestinal fortitude. Many wrote this team off without Malkin. Despite the streak at the time, more wrote them off after losing Maatta too. Instead, this team has done nothing but embarrass the rest of the NHL.
I think the biggest thing about the Penguins right now is the way they are playing. They are using their speed to their advantage, which is what they should be doing considering that is how they are constructed. Which is how they need to play. That is their identity, and that is how they need to play. We have seen many times during the past few years that this team tries to play away from that. This team isn't and I think a lot of that has to do with Mike Sullivan.
That being said I don't think this team will deviate from that with Sullivan at the helm and unless they really run into an unstoppable force, they can make a legitimate run in the playoffs.
Mindi on the Tweety asks: "What do you think about Derrick Pouliot getting more playing time?"
Mindi, I would have no problem with Derrick Pouliot playing more minutes. He's a young kid with a ton of potential. Since being reinserted in the lineup, he has played roughly 19:30, 18:00 and 15:30. That isn't terrible, but he could be playing a little bit more.
The thing with Pouliot is the staff and brass just don't seem to trust him completely, especially in his own zone. He has a ton of offensive talent, but he still has room to clean up his defensive play. The Penguins have been hoping that would happen but they still don't seem to be entirely thrilled with him. I think what they were hoping is that he would have the work ethic and thirst for the game like Olli Maatta, which is why Maatta plays 25 minutes a night when healthy and Pouliot sits in the press box.
What I ultimately think will happen is Pouliot will end up sitting once Dumoulin and Maatta return, which could happen as early as today. Dumoulin is a legitimate top-4, two-way defenseman, as is Maatta. On the flip side, the brass like what Ben Lovejoy brings to the defensive side of things, which will keep him in the lineup over Pouliot, but could see him sit when Maatta is ready to return. Even though Pouliot may be the better prospect and have more talent, the staff will likely play the veteran Lovejoy over the young Pouliot.
From Lisa L. on Twitter: "Did Phil change his stick?"
Hahahaha, Lisa, as far as I know, Phil has not changed his stick.
From Anna on the Tweety: "Who makes up your six defensemen in the lineup when they are all healthy?"
Alright Anna, here is my list of six who I want in, why and then the pairings...
1. Kris Letang - I think this one is pretty self explanitory.
2. Olli Maatta - Same as Letang, obvious.
3. Brian Dumoulin - He has been the best defenseman in his own zone this season in my opinion, so I definitely have him in my lineup.
4. Trevor Daley - Dales has speed, he is a good puck carrier and he contributes points. That is what you want to see and why he makes my lineup.
5. Justin Schultz - I love his offensive game. He really adds a lot to both the PP and at even-strength. I am also impressed by what we've seen from him in the defensive zone. His confidence is high and I want to ride that confidence and good play for as long as it lasts.
6. Ben Lovejoy - Almost everyone else will have Pouliot or Cole in there, but I'll take the veteran defensive defenseman. Lovejoy may not be the sexiest player, and he probably doesn't have good CORSI or FENWICK numbers that everyone has a hard on about these days, but I couldn't care less about that stuff. Ben is solid in his own end, is very good on the PK, is physical and scores the occasional big goal. I like what he brings and I think he is far more consistent that Cole or Pouliot. I'll take him.
7. Ian Cole - Has played really well since being reinserted into the lineup. Cole is playing like the guy who played lights out down the stretch last year. The reason? He is being correctly utilized. However, I still think he is the seventh defenseman and I would have Lovejoy in over him.
8. Derrick Pouliot - He may well be the future, but I don't have him in there when everyone is healthy. And while everyone may not agree with me, the coaching staff has shown time and again the same attitude.
My Pairs: Letang - Maatta, Daley - Dumoulin, Schultz - Lovejoy
From Joshua G. on Facebook: "If all the Penguins players were to try out for the opening day roster for the Steelers who would have the best chance of making it and what position would they play? (Just to make it harder you can't choose QB)"
Fun question Joshua, lets see here...
I think Bryan Rust could definitely play wide receiver. He has incredible speed and a little meat on his bones, so I think he could take a big hit now and then in the open field. So I definitely would have him in there.
I think Phil Kessel would be a good running back or full back. We all know that Phil isn't fat, but he certainly has a rounder physique. That being said, Kessel has incredibly speed and I think he could run up and down a football field as a running back.
I think Eric Fehr could play either DE or linebacker. He is big, physical and has enough speed. I think he could be good in that role.
Finally, I'd have Tom Kuhnhackl out there either as a tight end or a kicker. Kuhnhackl has some speed, but also has decent size. I'd think he's got good enough hands and could block. So TE would work. Also, with the amount of kicking around he reportedly does with Rust before games, I think he could be a decent kicker. And lets face it, the Germans are known for being world-class soccer players.
From LetsTalkPens on the Tweety: "What PGA Tour golfer do you think would make the best hockey player?"
Wow, you guys just ask the best questions! Love, love, love this one!
The easy answer would be to say Dustin Johnson. Johnson is a hell of a good golfer, winner of multiple tournaments and runner up in multiple majors, including last season's US Open and PGA Championship. Not only that, but he is about 6-5, built solid and actually played collegiate basketball.
The other big reason, and why it would be the easy answer, is that Johnson is married to one Paulina Gretzky, who is the daughter of the great Wayne Gretzky. If anyone could coach up Johnston to be a hockey player, it would be The Great One. So Johnson is the easy answer.
However, the guy I would actually pick is a little too old to play NHL hockey these days, but probably could have back in the day. That is long-time tour pro Jerry Kelly. Kelly has played on the pro circuit for nearly two decades now, but growing up, he was a hockey player up in the hockey hotbed of Madison, Wisconsin. In fact, Kelly was all-city in high school playing for Madison East and many in the golf circles think his hockey skills hurt his golf swing for many years.
So guys, while Dustin Johnson is the easy answer, I am for sure going with veteran Jerry Kelly!
Projected Lines & Pairs
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Horqnvist
- Carl Hagelin - Nick Bonino - Phil Kessel
- Tom Kuhnhackl - Matt Cullen - Eric Fehr
- Conor Sheary - Oskar Sundqvist - Beau Bennett
Pairs:
- Trevor Daley - Kris Letang
- Brian Dumoulin - Ben Lovejoy
- Ian Cole - Justin Schultz
Matt Murray is expected to start in net today.
My 3 Keys to the Game
2. Stop the Best FOURTH Line in the NHL: Martin, Clutterbuck and Cizikas have notoriously scored big goals against the Penguins in the past. They really are the best all-around fourth line in the NHL and I don't think its even close. The Penguins need to make sure they keep the big guys like Tavares and Okposo quiet, but definitely make sure they don't get killed by that trio either.
3. Power Play: I really like the new positioning on the power play. Daley on the right half-wall and Sid down low, with Kessel, Letang and Hornqvist at their respective posts, really seems to work for these guys. Essentially, as long as Sid isn't at the right half-wall, I am happy and think this unit could actually score a few for once without Geno.
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Chris Kunitz: Kunitz has been solid of late. Can't complain too much about the state of his game. I would like to see him start to get hot heading down the final week and into the playoffs. Maybe he does that today, against an Islander team he has solid career numbers against.
3. Eric Fehr: I like Fehr on the 3rd line, even at wing. In fact, I like seeing him play more minutes. Fehr is a really good hockey player and injury and the coaching change has made him look average or less for the majority of the year. I'd love to see his play take off with the added minutes.
What to Know for Watching/Listening
- ROOT Sports has the coverage tonight. Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey with the call beginning at 1:00pm. Dan Potash will have the interviews.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage beginning at 12:30pm.
- 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 1:00pm.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage at 12:00pm. 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