Paul Steigerwald discusses what the Pens need at the deadline
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What recent performance boosts the Penguins' playoff hopes?
Even as we speak, I see the Penguins game up here on Sportsnet Pittsburgh, watching it from last night. So watching it for the second time. And as we open the show today, it feels like a hopeful time right now. Suddenly, after the dark ages, sort of, of modern Pittsburgh sports, there's hope almost everywhere you look. And specifically with the Penguins now, where Kyle Dubas is doing an incredible job. He really is. And here to talk about that, the trade deadline, the game last night, is Paul Steigerwald. You know him from decades of Steigie being around the Penguins in various roles. He's on the Sullivan Super Service fan hotline, Pittsburgh's trusted plumbing and HVAC provider. for over 50 years.
Stoggy, you can never tell how a team's going to come out of a lengthy break like that. But man, certainly by the third period, and for a lot of the night really, but certainly by the third, the Penguins looked like they did before the break. They just turned it up a couple notches and overwhelmed the Devils, didn't they?
Absolutely. And I thought early in the game, they actually looked pretty good. I had a feeling it would be the opposite because the Devils had played the night before, and I thought they were in a game mode whereas the Penguins were still maybe in a bit of a practice mode before they could get their game legs together. And then by the final analysis, I think the Devils, having played the night before, maybe were a little shy on conditioning for playing a back-to-back. So it's funny how that goes, but the Penguins certainly did get stronger as the game went on. In any case, they got big saves from Archer Shelaw. He made a lot of key saves. The Devils have really struggled lately to score goals. I think they have now scored only one goal in 21 games.
And it's been a real struggle for them to put the puck in the net. So they actually had some glorious scoring opportunities. And Archer Shelaw has made great saves starting with that. And then, of course, the Penguins did get back to play in that kind of game. They can play. They move the puck really well. They defend well when they can. And their special teams are really good. Like they went into the game last night ranked fourth on the power play. I think they're second now after going one for three. And they went into the game ranked fourth in penalty killing, and they killed all five. So they probably moved up in that category, too. So goaltending, special teams, star power, it's all there for the Penguins right now, even with sit-out.
Stigie, you mentioned Shelovs, and maybe that's a story that not enough people are talking about. He's on a pretty good run here, and I think he's been pretty good overall. And it was notable that he played last night, right?
Yes. Isn't it interesting, Joe, that he was the goalie on opening night in New York, and the Penguins looked really good that night against the Rangers. And to be honest with you, they looked like they looked that night on a lot of nights right from the start of the season. And Shelavs has been good. He had his issues with the shootouts, and I get that. That's a different sort of skill set.
How is Stuart Skinner's future affecting the Penguins' strategy?
It's a different category, if you will, than playing in regular regulation time. So as far as I'm concerned, he's just gotten stronger and stronger as the season's gone on. And I felt even before the break that the Penguins were quite obviously putting him in positions to succeed. I think they really wanted to push him to see what he could bring in hopes that he would fulfill their trust in him and their faith in him. And I think he's done that. And so last night, to start him in the first game coming out of the break, they automatically were committing themselves to him playing two of the next three because he's not going to play Saturday and Sunday, and he probably will play on Sunday, and Stuart Skinner will play Saturday.
So that'll mean that Shelaws would have played two of the first three games, which tells me that they're really leaning towards him right now.
Well, then how about the future of Skinner at the trade deadline, a guy who's going to be an unrestricted free agent who's been pretty good, although he's struggled lately.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What recent performance boosts the Penguins' playoff hopes?
0:03–3:07
2
How is Stuart Skinner's future affecting the Penguins' strategy?
3:07–6:34
3
What do the Penguins need to secure a playoff spot?
6:34–10:31
4
How might Vincent Trocheck impact the Penguins' lineup?
10:31–13:08
5
What are the implications of Anthony Mantha's expiring contract?
13:08–16:00
6
How does the Penguins' playoff strategy change without Sid?
16:00–18:25
7
What trade options are available for the Penguins at the deadline?
18:25–19:41
8
Will Evgeni Malkin sign with the Penguins for another season?
19:41–19:50
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from The Pomp And Joe Show
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