DK's Double Shot of Penguins: Rakell’s real value

In this episode of DK Pittsburgh Sports' Double Shot Penguins, host Dan Kovachewicz dives into the Penguins' playoff race and the rising impact of Ricard Raquel, who has scored 11 goals in his last 10 games and 14 since March. Kovachewicz argues that Raquel’s recent hot streak isn’t a sudden breakout but a return to form after a cold spell, with his shooting percentage normalizing from a low 8.9% to a more sustainable level. He emphasizes that Raquel’s value lies not just in scoring but in his ability to elevate the team’s depth, especially when paired with Sidney Crosby and Brian Rust on the top line. The discussion shifts to lineup construction, with Kovachewicz advocating for Elmer Soderblom as a playoff-style enforcer on the third line due to his forechecking intensity and physicality. He also strongly criticizes the Penguins’ goaltending, calling the current tandem of Tristan Jari and Stuart Skinner ineffective—especially given their save percentage in the 850–860 range over the last six weeks. He urges management to give Sergei Murashov, the organization’s most gifted goalie, a chance in net, arguing that the current rotation is harming the team’s confidence and performance. The episode closes with a passionate call to stop avoiding tough decisions and to fully embrace the team’s current strengths, especially in goal and depth. Key takeaways include: Raquel’s resurgence is a result of normalized shooting efficiency, not luck; Soderblom’s physical and active forechecking makes him ideal for playoff-style hockey; the current goaltending tandem is underperforming and needs a change; Murashov should be given a real opportunity in net; and the Penguins must stop avoiding roster decisions in favor of maintaining status quo. The overall tone is urgent, passionate, and constructive, with a strong emphasis on accountability and maximizing the team’s current talent.