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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 5.12.17
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cao
2:03
Jason, were you surprised that the Pens let Botterill get away? I respect what Rhutherford has done for the Pens, but I was hoping that Botterill would stick around and represent the future of the organization.
Chuck
2:05
The Sens use the dreaded 1-3-1 a lot. Very effective when they have the lead. How can the Pens beat it?
Jason Mackey
2:06
No. 1, they have to be extremely careful with the puck in the neutral zone. More so than against Washington, honestly. And I think that's something to watch. Puck decisions were not the Penguins friend against the Caps. The 1-3-1 can also be extremely boring. The second thing I'd say is that the Penguins need to be patient. There are going to be times where the safe play is the better play. More dumps-ins than usual, in all likelihood. They're going to need to be OK with that and not force things.
Chuck
2:06
A lot of talk in the Ottawa papers about the Crosby slash on Methot back in March. Do you see any carryover from that incident impacting the series?
Jason Mackey
2:07
Only with Ottawa, and even then I think it's negligible. The Penguins couldn't care less, I can tell you that. I'm sure the Senators are still hacked off, but these series -- especially now -- get so intense so quickly, my guess is it will be a distant memory by midway through Game 1.
I was not. GMJR has no thoughts of leaving. I can't blame Jason for wanting to run his own team. He's ready. He's as smart as they come. If Jim's not going to step away, why just sit there? He would only be waiting around for the sake of a storyline at that point. No surprised at all he left.
Stephen
2:07
How will the Sabre's hiring Jason Botterill affect the Penguins? I thought he was going to be "the next man up" after JR retires.
Jason Mackey
2:10
He probably was, but Rutherford isn't going to be retiring for a while. At least that's what he keeps saying, and I tend to believe him. The guy's having fun. The team's winning. His family loves it here. Why change? I think Jason probably got tired of waiting around, and not a soul around the Penguins can blame him. He's ready. ... As far as the future, I'd look for Bill Guerin to become GM of Wilkes-Barre, Jason Karmanos to handle more cap stuff, Mark Recchi to slide into more of Guerin's old role as scout/pro assistant, and I think they will grow Gonchar's role to be more like Recchi in terms of development. If Gonchar would rather coach, then they could seek to replace Recchi with a recently retired player. ... Is it too soon to fantasize about Matt Cullen doing this? Probably. Can still play.
Super_Maro_66
2:10
Do you agree with NHL. Com writers that Erik Karlsson is the leading Conn Smyth Leader by a landslide?
Jason Mackey
2:11
Not by a landslide, but I definitely think he should win it. I know I voted for him. He's a really, really good player, and I think his well-rounded game -- never better than this season -- gives him the edge over Brent Burns. But I wouldn't call it a landslide.
Guest
2:11
dang, it Jason. I look forward to this chat. Is everything ok?
Jason Mackey
2:12
Sorry. It took us six hours to make a four-hour drive from D.C. yesterday. Bad, bad traffic on 70, the result of a pretty nasty accident. Had to write and wanted to see my family, knowing full well the craziness would start up again soon. Appreciate your patience pushing it today.
uh
2:12
Jason, why is your chat postponed? I rearranged my schedule to get in here following the great Pens win last night. I was gonna get a cast off my arm today!
Jason Mackey
2:13
No way you re-arranged your schedule for this. If you did, I would suggest re-arranging your priorities. See the answer above on traffic.
go pens
2:13
Hi Jeff, I've followed your chats for a while, but never posted. In your opinion, is Mike Andre Fleury's play what can be the difference make for this team not just in the next series but all the way to the Cup Finals?
Jason Mackey
2:14
Jeff and Mike? C'mon! Ha. I don't care. Can't speak for MAF. To answer the question, I absolutely think Bill Andre-Fleury has what it takes to lead the Penguins to a Cup. He already has, and he's been their best player thus far in knocking off two of the five best teams in the NHL.
2:16
Technically Ottawa did have a team in the 1920s and 1930s before moving to St. Louis, but I get your point. Great hockey city. Should absolutely have a team, just like Quebec City.
Guest
2:16
How on earth did Ottawa not get an NHL team until the 90s?
What is Ovechkin's legacy?
Jason Mackey
2:17
General talent who couldn't get past the second round. A ton of individual success, not so much when it comes to the team. I could write more, but that's what it boils down to for me. I think he's an incredible player, but the lack of winning in the postseason is rather incredible. Or tragic.
5/8/77
2:17
5/8/77 - Jason, were you alive for that legendary show? Get this - tickets were $7.50. Imagine what they would be today. I saw Kid Rock and Korn headline a show in the last few years and it was over $50. I assume you are a 5/8/77 fan and I gotta know what you think of that show, man! ALL TIME GREAT
Jason Mackey
2:19
I like it. I think it's a little overblown, though. Again, not that it's bad, but I'd put at least 5-11-77 and 2-26-77 ahead of it from that time period alone. Those ticket prices are crazy. Especially when I think about what I'm going to drop on Phish and Dead & Company this summer. I was not alive for 5-8-77.
Guest
2:19
How much of a per diem do you get for food on the road? Do you get more in an expensive city like NY than you do in an inexpensive city like Nashville? I'm doing a report on sports reporters for school. THANK YOU
Jason Mackey
2:21
No worries. I love talking about this stuff. Email if you have more questions (jmackey@post-gazette.com). We try to keep our food to an average of $35. This is outside of transportation and hotel; the PG takes care of both. I'm talking just food. And for me, that's plenty. I don't like to eat lunch the day of a game. I'd rather get a nice dinner the night before, then just do breakfast, mid-day nap and dinner at the rink.
Guest
2:21
How devastated did the crowd seem at the end of the game last night? On tv I heard booing toward the end and then complete silence after the final buzzer.
Jason Mackey
2:22
That about captured it. It was part devastation, part disbelief. I can't even imagine what it must feel like to be a Capitals fan right now. I'll admit, I really started to believe that this was going to be the year they did it. Shows what I know.
ALERT
2:22
NO need to fear, Penguins Fans! Guy Boucher couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag! The Pens sweep the series easily.
Jason Mackey
2:22
Is there a way to have difficulty sweeping a series?
Guest
2:22
Is it true that the Ottawa Senators have only been around since 1992? I swear I saw them play the Pens here in the late 80s. Is that right?
Jason Mackey
2:23
They returned in 1992. They actually were around in the 1920s and 1930s. I don't know if that's when Matt Cullen played for them or not. Will have to check hockeydb.com.
Guest
2:23
I don't know that much about the Ottawa team. Who is their best player? Turris?
Jason Mackey
2:24
Erik Karlsson. Defenseman. And it's not close. He's probably the best in the league. Hardly leaves the ice. Playing with two fractures in his foot. Should be the Norris Trophy winner. Just an incredible player. Dave Molinari wrote on him and the Penguins' respect for him. Piece should be online shortly.
Bill
2:25
Mackey, in my estimation, you are a very legitimate and trustworthy reporter. How would you handle a liar like Trump if you were charged with covering his antics? I feel that many journalists today do not hold him accountable for his lies. I know this is a hockey chat, but as a fan of your work I am curious what your thoughts as a journalist are on the things that really matter in this world, and here's a clue - the things that really matter are not NHL or Grateful Dead although I am a fan of both and did follow the dead for about 2 summers when I was younger. I never actually liked Jerry but I thought the other members were superb and balanced out his somewhat inconsistent performances. Take '73 for example. He was awful all that year. Now, also, any thoughts on how Ottawa's defense can try to neutralize Crosby?
Jason Mackey
2:30
Please no politics, Bill. This is sports. This should be fun. I'm not into alienating half of our readers over political affiliation. ... Ottawa's best asset will be its 1-3-1. The Penguins spent time today on how to stay patient and eventually beat it. Careful with the puck. Take a hit to make a play. Dump it in. Play with a lead. Score on the power play. Entering the zone with speed. There are going to be several keys to neutralizing the 1-3-1.
Guest
2:30
Has a goalie ever scored a goal? Are they allowed to?
Jason Mackey
2:31
Yes and yes. Mike Smith was the last to do it, in 2013. Ron Hextall did it twice. Marc-Andre Fleury's would probably retire on the spot if he ever scored. Here's a list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_goaltenders_who_have_scored_a_go...
Guest
2:31
I think that if you had to choose a STAR OF THE GAME for Captials it would be Holtby. I know people say Ovechkin is Hall of Fame worthy maybe one day after he retires, but honestly I think Holtby has had the more consistent career at least in terms of playoff stats. Thoguhts?
Jason Mackey
2:32
I respectfully disagree. I think Ovechkin's is the premier goal-scorer of the post-lockout era. I think he's incredible. However, if we're going to start the best-in-series discussion for the Capitals, I'm going with Evgeny Kuznetsov. Man, is that kid going to be a force for years to come. He also has a really good sense of humor. Fun to talk to.
Marnie
2:33
Will we see the same line-up against the Senators (Wilson/Rowney rather than Hagelin/Khunhackl) at least to start the series?
Jason Mackey
2:34
I have a hard time seeing Mike Sullivan take Scott Wilson or Carter Rowney out the way that line played. If Carl Hagelin is injured, I may just stash him, let him heal, then react accordingly if someone struggles. If Sullivan does make a move -- an argument could be made for Hagelin, even at 80 percent, being a big help in breaking the 1-3-1, I'd yank out Wilson before Rowney.
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