Thanks Dan always appreciate your time and style. Really fun game in so many ways beyond just one much needed win. Its amazing what happens when you smother the other guy and swarm defensively. Panthers are not full strength but even so
Hi Dan! Thanks – as usual – for your 'nuts and bolts' analysis – which I love! Hopefully, they can continue with that attitude and play style in tomorrow's game. Have a great night! Be safe and have fun! Cheers! šš§šš
All teams have 2 goalies. I am not opposed to Shilovs as the backup goalie at the present time, but cant figure out why Skinner doesnt get the lions share of the starts based upon just what the eye test reveals. Skinner is so much better in several different ways. Muse seems wrong with his approach to the goalies
While I do think Silovs has been less than good lately, I'm not jumping all over the front office to send him down and call up Murashov. I just think it should be Skinners net going forward. I'm fine with Silovs as a back up.
I don't think silovs is playing as poorly as people yammer about. He and Skinner have the same save pct the past 10 games, they've played, but silovs is 7-3, and skinner is like 3-7 or something. Maybe try starting silovs 2 games in a row instead of Skinner, and see what happens. maybe Silovs would improve with multiple straight starts, get in a groove.
Dan, your Skinner bias over Å ilovs is appalling and could be the reason some of the fans who follow your commentary are unable to control their emotions when it comes to Arty being scored on. You create many false narratives that these folks eat up. You gave Stu a B- in a loss to Tampa in which Tampa scored their first goal after skinner blockered a shot right in front of him in the area where there were two Lightning players, which made for the easiest goal for Tampa. Then he let in three more āsoftā goals, two of which were close to the same. Skinner had multiple rebounds in that game in front of himself, luckily Pens got to them first. So your rebound control argument is false and biased. Å ilovs allows the same amount of goals in a winning effort against Florida and you give him a C- Anyone who thinks Skinner or Murashov are better for the team than Å ilovs here are some data points that can not be disputed:
1. The only number that counts to get into the playoffs. Point percentage. Å ilovs has collected 0.6111 from all points available in the games he played. This is good for 100.22 points over 82 games. Skinner has collected 0.5625 from all points available in games he played for Pittsburgh. This is good for 92.25 points over 82 games. You can clearly see that Arty has an 8 point advantage in this category. You can say that itās because Skinner played less games than Å ilovs, but I will point out Stuās recent stints starting two consecutive games in which he lost in each second start. Him playing more, made this gap greater into Å ilovs favor. Dan, in one of your videos youāve mentioned that Skinner has a better āeye testā. Well, is this team and its fans valuing the eye test and a more likable goalie who is more fun to take interviews from, or collecting points and getting into the playoffs is the priority. Please do your best to rebuttal the point accumulation data.
2. Skinners playoff experience as proof that he needs to be number one. 2023 Playoffs: Pulled 3 times vs. Vegas Golden Knights. 2024 Playoffs: Pulled in Game 3 of the second round vs. Vancouver Canucks (May 12, 2024) 2025 Playoffs: He was pulled in Game 3 against the Florida Panthers after allowing five goals on 23 shots, and again in Game 4.
Å ilovs performance in the playoffs. At 23, he became the youngest Canucks goalie to record a playoff shutout, winning 1ā0 in Game 6 against Nashville. Clinching the series. Winning two games out of 3 he played in against Nashville when he was an emergency call up after Demko and DeSmith were injured. He finished with a 5-5 record in 10 games during the 2024 playoffs, helping Vancouver reach Game 7 of the Second Round against the Oilers. He just turned 23 and won 3 games against the Oilers in the playoffs with only 9 combined NHL games prior in multiple seasons. Skinner was pulled in one of the games against him.
3. Call up Murashov nonsense. Here we agree Dan. Before you think about calling up Murashov saying with confidence that he is better than Arty, let him first surpass Å ilovs last yearās AHL achievement. Here it is: In the 2025 AHL playoffs, Arturs Silovs led the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup championship, winning MVP honors with a 16-7 record, a 2.01 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage, and 5 shutouts in 24 games. His 5 shutouts were one short of the single AHL postseason record.
4. More Å ilovs accolades. 2023 World Championship: Named MVP and Best Goaltender, leading Latvia to their first-ever medal (bronze) won against team USA and his future teammate Casey DeSmith. Å ilovs played 10 games earning 7 wins with 2.2 GAA and 9.21 save percentage. He did this on one of the biggest stages for any Latvian hockey player (representing his country at the worlds). He just turned 22 before the championship.
Arty has a proven track record of post season heroics year after year. Thereās a phenomenon called āSpring Å ilovsā. Arty plays best when he is trusted, as he was trusted by a national team at the worlds when he was only fresh 22 year old, or in the playoffs in Vancouver, who had no choice but trust him, or the following year at Abbotsford, that entire team and coaches respected him, believed in him and trusted him. He had a bad game in one of the early series, but Manny Malhotra stuck with him and Arty proceeded to collect more shutouts on the way to final victory. For reference. The Abbotsford Canucks are dead last in the standings, as well as the Vancouver Canucks. Iām not saying that itās because they traded Arty for almost nothing, butā¦they were doing significantly better with him around. And coincidentally, he shows up to Pittsburgh that had less than 8% chance to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season, and not surprisingly to me they are going to not only make the playoffs but win the Stanley Cup. Arty has belief. This is why his overall numbers may not be better than Skinners, except, the only number that matters-point percentage accumulated from games played. The team wins more often with him in net, regardless of the save percentage. Itās the magic of belief. If that is too intangible, even though itās not more or less intangible than the āeye testā, take comfort in the data, which points to the Pens having a higher point percentage accumulation with Å ilovs. And all other postseason success is up to date without a gap year, three years in a row. Except this to be fourth and the brightest year.
I hope that anyone who is quick to fall into fearing a shadow which has no substance, reads this comment full of data and rests with faith on the substance presented.
Dan, in this video youāve pointed out that viewers should pay attention to what Dan Muse and Kyle Dubas are doing to get clues and be reassured. Well, Edmonton wanted Å ilovs before Pens got him. Pens got him because both Vancouver and Pittsburgh knew his value. Vancouver didnāt want to trade him to Edmonton to strengthen their conference opponent. Dubas knows what he is doing, he brought Å ilovs in and then when Edmonton once again wanted him, he gave them Jarry. Å ilovs is here to stay, and soon he will be number one. Dan Muse already proved it. I know people will take Museās recent actions as favoring Skinner, however, Dan, you said it yourself, we have to look at their actions. Dan Muse interrupted the rotation last week to give Skinner a second start against Dallas. Pens lose that game. Then there come the headlines that the game against the Isles is the most important game the Pens have played in over two years. Who gets the start and helps the team win and then gets rewarded with a C in Dan Kingerskiās report card? Then Skinner starts two in a row with the same result, won one, lost the second. What mark did Dan Kingerski give him in a loss? Stu is very likable and gives great interviews, contrasted by Arty who is more introverted, subtle and quiet, even in his wins. And gets asked āambushā style questions by Dan about what he was thinking in sending a rebound towards the opponent. You already made up your mind Dan, leave the nice man alone. Because your questions to Stu are about what he thinks of rotation and him becoming number one goalie. I like both Stu and Arty, and think that rotation was working well. When rotation was interrupted Stu lost two of his second starts and Arty looked āshakyā, because he has to get back in the game every time after a prolonged period. Skinner was given two starts in a row and did not succeed. Now let Arty start two in a row, twice, then we will compare.
Dan, if you think I am unjustly criticizing your coverage of both goalies, please, take time to review most recent games and your grades for each goaltender.
In last seven games Arty played, he helped earn 10 out of 14 available points with 5 wins and 2 loses. In last seven games Stu played, he helped earn 7 out of 14 available points with 3 wins, 3 loses in regulation and 1 loss in overtime. While Skinnerās personal numbers are better during this period, Å ilovs helped collect more points. This is the most important metric. Same amount of games looked at-7, Skinner has slightly better personal numbers, Å ilovs has contributed with more points. How does this work? Who cares, but data canāt be coerced. Å ilovs=magic. Even if he simply wills the wins in, who cares, he gets it done. I see the Pens either continuing an even rotation in the playoffs, which I welcome, because both guys will stay sharp and rested, or Å ilovs will take the number one spot, because Skinner has already lost two second games of his two consecutive games starts, he may get one more chance, butā¦sooner or later. Please refer to all the data of the last three post season Iāve provided above on each goaltender to see the pattern.
Thank you Penguins for eliminating the Panthers officially. No 3peat for them. ššš I donāt get the panic to bring up Murashov. You have our Stuuuuuuuu š§”šnow and Silovs. Run them theough the playoffs. They are the best youāve got now who can face the playoffs teams. Imagine throwing Murashov to playoffs mode Carolina, Montreal, Tampa, Colorado, Oilers, Dallas. Youāre going to scar the kid šš¤£
When we traded for Elmer, I didnāt think too much of it other than he was a very large individual. Now looking back at this trade it looks like Kyle made another steal.
There is zero talk about Dubas going to make the playoffs with the Pens vs the Laffs going to miss the playoffs with Treliving. Dubas would have signed Marner. YIKES. Dubas is a genius.
21 Comments
Thanks Dan always appreciate your time and style. Really fun game in so many ways beyond just one much needed win. Its amazing what happens when you smother the other guy and swarm defensively. Panthers are not full strength but even so
Hi Dan! Thanks – as usual – for your 'nuts and bolts' analysis – which I love! Hopefully, they can continue with that attitude and play style in tomorrow's game. Have a great night! Be safe and have fun! Cheers! šš§šš
Magic number 6
Hey Danny, do you have season tickets or is there some sort of press deal in place for you journalists?
Hi dan!
Arty has a few things to work on. Everyone does, myself included.
All teams have 2 goalies. I am not opposed to Shilovs as the backup goalie at the present time, but cant figure out why Skinner doesnt get the lions share of the starts based upon just what the eye test reveals. Skinner is so much better in several different ways. Muse seems wrong with his approach to the goalies
While I do think Silovs has been less than good lately, I'm not jumping all over the front office to send him down and call up Murashov. I just think it should be Skinners net going forward. I'm fine with Silovs as a back up.
Karlsson is the team MVP. It's not even close. (Got that, Ol' Two-niner?)
I don't think silovs is playing as poorly as people yammer about. He and Skinner have the same save pct the past 10 games, they've played, but silovs is 7-3, and skinner is like 3-7 or something. Maybe try starting silovs 2 games in a row instead of Skinner, and see what happens. maybe Silovs would improve with multiple straight starts, get in a groove.
Dan, your Skinner bias over Å ilovs is appalling and could be the reason some of the fans who follow your commentary are unable to control their emotions when it comes to Arty being scored on.
You create many false narratives that these folks eat up.
You gave Stu a B- in a loss to Tampa in which Tampa scored their first goal after skinner blockered a shot right in front of him in the area where there were two Lightning players, which made for the easiest goal for Tampa. Then he let in three more āsoftā goals, two of which were close to the same. Skinner had multiple rebounds in that game in front of himself, luckily Pens got to them first. So your rebound control argument is false and biased.
Å ilovs allows the same amount of goals in a winning effort against Florida and you give him a C-
Anyone who thinks Skinner or Murashov are better for the team than Å ilovs here are some data points that can not be disputed:
1. The only number that counts to get into the playoffs. Point percentage.
Å ilovs has collected 0.6111 from all points available in the games he played. This is good for 100.22 points over 82 games.
Skinner has collected 0.5625 from all points available in games he played for Pittsburgh. This is good for 92.25 points over 82 games.
You can clearly see that Arty has an 8 point advantage in this category. You can say that itās because Skinner played less games than Å ilovs, but I will point out Stuās recent stints starting two consecutive games in which he lost in each second start. Him playing more, made this gap greater into Å ilovs favor.
Dan, in one of your videos youāve mentioned that Skinner has a better āeye testā. Well, is this team and its fans valuing the eye test and a more likable goalie who is more fun to take interviews from, or collecting points and getting into the playoffs is the priority.
Please do your best to rebuttal the point accumulation data.
2. Skinners playoff experience as proof that he needs to be number one.
2023 Playoffs: Pulled 3 times vs. Vegas Golden Knights.
2024 Playoffs: Pulled in Game 3 of the second round vs. Vancouver Canucks (May 12, 2024)
2025 Playoffs: He was pulled in Game 3 against the Florida Panthers after allowing five goals on 23 shots, and again in Game 4.
Å ilovs performance in the playoffs.
At 23, he became the youngest Canucks goalie to record a playoff shutout, winning 1ā0 in Game 6 against Nashville. Clinching the series. Winning two games out of 3 he played in against Nashville when he was an emergency call up after Demko and DeSmith were injured.
He finished with a 5-5 record in 10 games during the 2024 playoffs, helping Vancouver reach Game 7 of the Second Round against the Oilers. He just turned 23 and won 3 games against the Oilers in the playoffs with only 9 combined NHL games prior in multiple seasons.
Skinner was pulled in one of the games against him.
3. Call up Murashov nonsense. Here we agree Dan.
Before you think about calling up Murashov saying with confidence that he is better than Arty, let him first surpass Å ilovs last yearās AHL achievement. Here it is:
In the 2025 AHL playoffs, Arturs Silovs led the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup championship, winning MVP honors with a 16-7 record, a 2.01 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage, and 5 shutouts in 24 games. His 5 shutouts were one short of the single AHL postseason record.
4. More Å ilovs accolades.
2023 World Championship: Named MVP and Best Goaltender, leading Latvia to their first-ever medal (bronze) won against team USA and his future teammate Casey DeSmith. Å ilovs played 10 games earning 7 wins with 2.2 GAA and 9.21 save percentage. He did this on one of the biggest stages for any Latvian hockey player (representing his country at the worlds). He just turned 22 before the championship.
Arty has a proven track record of post season heroics year after year. Thereās a phenomenon called āSpring Å ilovsā. Arty plays best when he is trusted, as he was trusted by a national team at the worlds when he was only fresh 22 year old, or in the playoffs in Vancouver, who had no choice but trust him, or the following year at Abbotsford, that entire team and coaches respected him, believed in him and trusted him. He had a bad game in one of the early series, but Manny Malhotra stuck with him and Arty proceeded to collect more shutouts on the way to final victory. For reference. The Abbotsford Canucks are dead last in the standings, as well as the Vancouver Canucks. Iām not saying that itās because they traded Arty for almost nothing, butā¦they were doing significantly better with him around. And coincidentally, he shows up to Pittsburgh that had less than 8% chance to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season, and not surprisingly to me they are going to not only make the playoffs but win the Stanley Cup. Arty has belief. This is why his overall numbers may not be better than Skinners, except, the only number that matters-point percentage accumulated from games played. The team wins more often with him in net, regardless of the save percentage. Itās the magic of belief. If that is too intangible, even though itās not more or less intangible than the āeye testā, take comfort in the data, which points to the Pens having a higher point percentage accumulation with Å ilovs. And all other postseason success is up to date without a gap year, three years in a row. Except this to be fourth and the brightest year.
I hope that anyone who is quick to fall into fearing a shadow which has no substance, reads this comment full of data and rests with faith on the substance presented.
Dan, in this video youāve pointed out that viewers should pay attention to what Dan Muse and Kyle Dubas are doing to get clues and be reassured. Well, Edmonton wanted Å ilovs before Pens got him. Pens got him because both Vancouver and Pittsburgh knew his value. Vancouver didnāt want to trade him to Edmonton to strengthen their conference opponent. Dubas knows what he is doing, he brought Å ilovs in and then when Edmonton once again wanted him, he gave them Jarry. Å ilovs is here to stay, and soon he will be number one. Dan Muse already proved it. I know people will take Museās recent actions as favoring Skinner, however, Dan, you said it yourself, we have to look at their actions. Dan Muse interrupted the rotation last week to give Skinner a second start against Dallas. Pens lose that game. Then there come the headlines that the game against the Isles is the most important game the Pens have played in over two years. Who gets the start and helps the team win and then gets rewarded with a C in Dan Kingerskiās report card?
Then Skinner starts two in a row with the same result, won one, lost the second. What mark did Dan Kingerski give him in a loss?
Stu is very likable and gives great interviews, contrasted by Arty who is more introverted, subtle and quiet, even in his wins. And gets asked āambushā style questions by Dan about what he was thinking in sending a rebound towards the opponent. You already made up your mind Dan, leave the nice man alone. Because your questions to Stu are about what he thinks of rotation and him becoming number one goalie.
I like both Stu and Arty, and think that rotation was working well. When rotation was interrupted Stu lost two of his second starts and Arty looked āshakyā, because he has to get back in the game every time after a prolonged period.
Skinner was given two starts in a row and did not succeed. Now let Arty start two in a row, twice, then we will compare.
Dan, if you think I am unjustly criticizing your coverage of both goalies, please, take time to review most recent games and your grades for each goaltender.
In last seven games Arty played, he helped earn 10 out of 14 available points with 5 wins and 2 loses.
In last seven games Stu played, he helped earn 7 out of 14 available points with 3 wins, 3 loses in regulation and 1 loss in overtime.
While Skinnerās personal numbers are better during this period, Å ilovs helped collect more points. This is the most important metric. Same amount of games looked at-7, Skinner has slightly better personal numbers, Å ilovs has contributed with more points. How does this work? Who cares, but data canāt be coerced. Å ilovs=magic. Even if he simply wills the wins in, who cares, he gets it done.
I see the Pens either continuing an even rotation in the playoffs, which I welcome, because both guys will stay sharp and rested, or Å ilovs will take the number one spot, because Skinner has already lost two second games of his two consecutive games starts, he may get one more chance, butā¦sooner or later. Please refer to all the data of the last three post season Iāve provided above on each goaltender to see the pattern.
What a high scoring game. Hope they can carry that momentum.
Thank you Penguins for eliminating the Panthers officially. No 3peat for them. ššš
I donāt get the panic to bring up Murashov.
You have our Stuuuuuuuu š§”šnow and Silovs. Run them theough the playoffs. They are the best youāve got now who can face the playoffs teams. Imagine throwing Murashov to playoffs mode Carolina, Montreal, Tampa, Colorado, Oilers, Dallas. Youāre going to scar the kid šš¤£
Love your game analysis. It's the best I've heard in 45 years of watching hockey. You understand the tactics and the team energy.
With how well the 4th line is playing with Lizotte out…..question is, who comes out when Lizotte is healthy?
They better let the General stay in the line up…! He is playing lights out.
Beast mode Geno, Beast mode EK, Vintage Sid, Beast mode Soderblom, Beast mode Raks
What a pleasure it is to watch this team
Im still on the skinner over Artie boat but those two are our best options keep Murashov down he needs seasoning and playoff experience
Same here, Dan favore Skiner(because of mustache), but in stats they are almost equel, but important games Silovs is in the net ! Why Dana?
When we traded for Elmer, I didnāt think too much of it other than he was a very large individual. Now looking back at this trade it looks like Kyle made another steal.
There is zero talk about Dubas going to make the playoffs with the Pens vs the Laffs going to miss the playoffs with Treliving.
Dubas would have signed Marner. YIKES.
Dubas is a genius.