{"id":563125,"date":"2026-04-04T00:36:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/563125\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T00:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:36:09","slug":"goalie-panic-locker-room-chatter-weak-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/563125\/","title":{"rendered":"Goalie Panic, Locker Room Chatter, & Weak Spots"},"content":{"rendered":"

TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 The Pittsburgh Penguins\u2019<\/a> wild and chaotic loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday sent many in the fanbase and some media into a tizzy. As Penguins coach Dan Muse moves toward a No. 1 goalie, even though he tries to avoid admitting it the loss made some slam the panic button and goaltending was the hot issue. <\/p>\n

The Q&A call came via X Friday morning as PHN prepared for the trip home; a flight too early to spend the day in Tampa, but too late to get back to Pittsburgh\u2019s mangled new airport early enough to work. <\/p>\n

There are a few festering issues that you want to get into, but I will forewarn those hoping for validation or insights to prove popular opinion. It will not be found here. <\/p>\n

Nay, this Q&A will be blunt truth, like we always do. As of Friday afternoon, the Penguins magic number slipped to just 10, but the goaltending debate took center stage. So, here we go. <\/p>\n

Before we do that\u2013with playoff travel looming, we simply didn\u2019t budget for that. So, I\u2019m going to ask for your help. I\u2019ve been personally funding the last few trips. If you\u2019d like to send a few shekels to keep this guy on the road, go here<\/a>. Thank yoU!<\/p>\n

Penguins Q&A<\/p>\n

Dan looks like Letang and Girard are starting to click the last few games at least what I can see on TV if so this would be big heading into a possible postseason, do you agree?<\/p>\n

Appreciate your hard work and travels throughout the season!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Bigmikekittle (@bigmikekit46774) April 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Why yes, I do agree (and have written so in a few successive report cards. Cmon, Big Mike!)<\/p>\n

Credit to Dan Muse<\/a>. He kept with the pairing and forced them to work it out, but many of us surely did not think they would. Girard had his legs Thursday and his first period was quite good. Over the first few weeks together, the pair were struggling mightily in the defensive zone, but those issues seem to have abated as theyv\u2019e begun to figure out their assignments.<\/p>\n

Dan looks like Letang and Girard are starting to click the last few games at least what I can see on TV if so this would be big heading into a possible postseason, do you agree?<\/p>\n

Appreciate your hard work and travels throughout the season!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Bigmikekittle (@bigmikekit46774) April 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Funny you should ask. I\u2019ve been speaking with people around the league, and Anthony Mantha<\/a> has been a hot topic. There are more than a few executives who are both impressed and surprised. Mantha has rolled through a handful of teams without nearly this level of success, and he has never strung together big years.<\/p>\n

This has easily been the best hockey of his career. He\u2019s playing hard, playing at both ends, and finishing. It has been impressive. <\/p>\n

However, there are a few moving parts in this decision. It starts with the Penguins\u2019 projections for Mantha, but also what to do with Evgeni Malkin<\/a>, how much space do they need for prospects to take the next step, and\u2013MOST IMPORTANTLY\u2013what does Kyle Dubas want for this team?<\/p>\n

After all, more 30-year-olds and a 40-year-old aren\u2019t great selling points for a youth movement. <\/p>\n

If Dubas wants to keep the hybrid approach and wants to push for another playoff chase, then three years is the MAX that I would offer. Also, it\u2019s a firm no on any no-movement clauses. <\/p>\n

Some executives think other teams might offer a five-year deal. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s fair to say Mantha is playing the best hockey of his life, but the knock has always been his motivation and his willingness to play hard. A two-year deal would be much better. Remember, it takes two to tango. <\/p>\n

Assuming Pens do indeed make the playoffs, how far do you think they can make it?<\/p>\n

\u2014 ZEIDS\ud83e\udd76 (@owenzeiders14) April 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Two deciding factors: matchups and goaltenders. A hot goalie can take a team an extra round, sometimes two, just as facing a hot goalie can end a team\u2019s season quickly. <\/p>\n

I like the Penguins\u2019 odds against the mushy middle of the Metro Division. They would be a big favorite over Philadelphia, a slight favorite over Columbus, and a toss-up against the New York Islanders. <\/p>\n

The Islanders would be the worst matchup because of goalie Ilya Sorokin. It\u2019s all gravy after Round One, but I know they think they could beat Carolina too.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s the odd man out when Lizzo is healthy ? Will they pull Novak? He\u2019s pretty much the weakest link at the moment but idk how you move elmer or dewar up to the 3rd line i don\u2019t really think it works<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dart Rooney II (@Alwaysinpain305) April 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

We had a few Tommy Novak questions, and yes, there is little doubt he is struggling. He seems underwater, though Thursday he had his legs. <\/p>\n

Without time and space, Novak fails to create it, which only lets defenders play tighter. It\u2019s a vicious cycle, but Novak has not been good. If Elmer Soderblom continues his outstanding play, he would be better suited than Novak for a bottom-six role.<\/p>\n

It comes down to Novak\u2019s level of play and Muse\u2019s willingness to keep Rakell at center. If Rakell stays in the middle, then Soderblom is a legit option, and an attractive one. <\/p>\n

Dan, do you think the constant changing of wingers on Kindels line is stunting his progress? Line stability is a priority.<\/p>\n

\u2014 WyoPen65 (@WyoPen65) April 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

You\u2019re reaching a bit. Kindel hasn\u2019t exactly had a revolving door, nor has he played with repetitive minor leaguers. In fact, he\u2019s played well this week\u2014a real rebound. <\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s get to the hot-button topic. <\/p>\n

Has there been any internal dialogue for calling up Murashov? % likelihood anything like this could happen? If you were GM how would you manage this?<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike (@yinzermike83) April 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Ok, stop it. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s exasperating that anyone would watch the game Thursday and put that on Stuart Skinner. That\u2019s like blaming the quarterback for every loss. It\u2019s the public dogma that spreads, but it\u2019s not what hockey people will tell you. <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get a few points clear so we can go forward:<\/p>\n

Most NHL teams (about 25 or more), have average or worse starting goalies. <\/p>\n

As Scotty Bowman was fond of saying, goaltending is only a problem when you don\u2019t have it. Well, very few teams \u201chave it,\u201d and to compare Skinner or Arturs Silovs to Andrei Vasilevskiy and the bona fide top goalies is silly.<\/p>\n

Skinner is a perfectly average starting goalie in the NHL. We have seen him steal several points for the Penguins, but otherwise, as the team plays well, he allows them to win, and as they play poorly, he allows them to lose. Re-read that if necessary. <\/p>\n

The volume of \u201cBring up Mursahov!\u201d was a bit frustrating Thursday. So, if you want to know why not, set emotions and frustrations aside. <\/p>\n

Also understand, Murashov might well be the most talented goalie, but at 22-years-old, he\u2019s hardly the most polished. Talent alone isn\u2019t enough in the NHL. <\/p>\n

Also doubly understand that Murashov doesn\u2019t have any public baggage, so he\u2019s the golden boy. Fans are free to believe he will be as good as their imaginations can conjure because there are no terrible games or years of examples to limit perceptions. <\/p>\n

Care to guess where Murashov\u2019s NHL save percentage crested in five games this season? A very average .897, with a 1-1-2 record. <\/p>\n

I find the conversation to be fan porn. Everyone wants it because it feels good emotionally, but it makes little sense. Let Murashov have his AHL playoff run and give him a spot for next season when he can adjust to the NHL game under the dim lights of October hockey. <\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget, Matt Murray had a few extended runs of NHL playing time before the playoffs in his first rookie year. <\/p>\n

So, swallow hard and accept that Skinner and Silovs are the starting goalies. Accept that they will allow two or three most nights, and sometimes four when the Penguins are playing poorly. <\/p>\n

Also, accept that Murashov very probably wouldn\u2019t fare any better right now. Be patient. Next season. <\/p>\n

And lastly, a little bonus: <\/p>\n

Who is your current favorite penguin to interview? And why is it EK65<\/p>\n

\u2014 Nigel Drake (@hansomrobb) April 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Yep. The three guys that I seek out in the room are Bryan Rust, Ryan Shea, and Erik Karlsson. Rust conveys the emotion without a filter, good and bad. He\u2019s also a good guy to have a chat with. Shea will talk about the Xs and Os better than any player in recent memory, and his bluntness is refreshing. But Karlsson, you just never know what he\u2019s going to say. <\/p>\n

Importantly, he enjoys it. <\/p>\n

I have talked with some guys who were very quotable, but didn\u2019t mean to be. Alex Nedeljkovic would fall under that category, and I began avoiding him after losses because I know he said some things that weren\u2019t well received higher up, and so I stopped talking to him in certain situations for his sake.<\/p>\n

But Karlsson\u2026man, what a peach. He\u2019s intelligent, has a good sense of humor, and has a certain amusement with the entire process. Last night\u2019s quotes were spot on, colorful, and they landed hard. <\/p>\n

He\u2019s also a very honest sort off the record. But don\u2019t tell him I said that. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: penguins q&a<\/a> stuart skinner<\/a> <\/p>\n

Categorized:PHN Blog<\/a><\/p>\n

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