HR 1 - Tim Benz talking Pens, Sid and Ovi

·32 min·3 clips

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin face off for possibly the last time this weekend in a home-and-home series.

The episode begins with Mark Madden setting up the weekend's hockey games, highlighting the Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin rivalry as potentially concluding. He reflects on their careers, comparing them to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and critiques current stars like Connor McDavid for lacking charisma. Madden then transitions to Penguins talk, noting their playoff clinch and inviting calls from listeners. He discusses the team's performance, including players like Erik Karlsson and Evgeni Malkin. Tim Benz joins the show to provide analysis, explaining how the Penguins overachieved due to coaching adjustments and key acquisitions like Evgeny Chinnikov. They debate favorable playoff matchups, with Benz preferring Philadelphia or Columbus over the Islanders due to goaltending concerns. The conversation shifts to line combinations, with Benz suggesting Chinnikov might be moved back to a line with Malkin. Madden and Benz also explore the historical significance of the Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry, referencing the 2009 double hat trick game. They discuss the NHL's promotion of these players and the difficulty in passing the torch to newer stars. The episode includes tangents on other sports, like the Pirates and Steelers, but maintains a focus on hockey. Madden concludes by promoting upcoming Penguins coverage and interviews.

As heard by us

A firm Penguins playoff pick turns goaltending risk and rivalry pressure into the episode's main tension.

The episode stakes out a blunt Penguins position: Pittsburgh gets through the first round in six, whoever lands across from it. The argument is built around goaltending, with the Islanders and Sorokin framed as the nastiest draw, Washington and Logan Thompson carrying their own…

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Why you'd press play

You get a Penguins-in-six playoff hunch, goalie anxiety, and the tempting Philadelphia matchup in one sharp sports-radio stretch.

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