In every season, there are a few days when the NHL news becomes a tidal wave. It’s not the volume Saturday, but the seriousness. The NHL trade chatter will spike in New Jersey after the GM and Dougie Hamilton’s agent publicly sparred. The Ottawa Senators players came out swinging against the social media garbage hurled their way about several players and their families. The Pittsburgh Penguins sputtered in their first loss since the break.

Oh, and the greatest intermission youth game in history went down in Hershey. The boys look to be about 8-10 years old, and it turned into a good old-fashioned Nordiques-Canadiens line brawl. But don’t mess with the goalie. I shouldn’t laugh, but I absolutely belly laughed. And watched it again.

A little Billy Smith there. FAFO!

By the time you read this, I’ll be in Boston or on the way. If you’re up that way, say hello. I’m not sure how I’ll waste an afternoon, but maybe I’ll see you in the food hall near the arena.

Or if you want a chill pregame, there are a few little spots on Charles St. (around the corner from the real Cheers). The little taverns near Faneuil Hall are good for postgame. There are two or three that claim to be the oldest tavern in the U.S.

The North End is where the Italian restaurants and late-night dessert spots reside. If you want a good meal, I’ve had my best meals in Boston in the North End. Some spots are touristy, so look for the little local spots in the alleyways.

Actually, now I’m hungry for a big bowl of Carbonara…

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Rafael Harvey-Pinard was recalled, and Bryan Rust is injured.

I don’t think you’re very interested in the game recap. Penguins lose 2-1. However, the report card is the in-depth breakdown of what Calgary did to the Penguins and what the Penguins needed to do, but didn’t. And the Penguins’ report card.

OK, let me confront one thing. No, Kevin Hayes didn’t do a lot to help the Penguins win, but this rush to scapegoat him is about the dumbest thing I’ve seen in a while. Yes, the Penguins had a losing streak in December, but my goodness, blaming Hayes is a stretch beyond logic.

Saturday, the Hayes line had an 80% scoring chance and a 100% high-danger ratio. I work too hard for you to let silliness replace analysis.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

New Jersey Hockey Now: Team tells star player he will be scratched. Agent rips team, opens door to trade. GM claps back. Here’s the full story–Things are getting tense, very tense, with the New Jersey Devils.

Sportnet/Hockey Night in Canada: The Headlines Segment was a tour de force. The Ottawa Senators locker room came out swinging against social media and in favor of GM Steve Staios’s statement. And HNIC had some video from the Olympic rink.

Boston Hockey Now: 10. The Boston Bruins hung 10 on the New York Rangers with a couple of hat tricks (and more). It was a squash match. Jack Studley has the Bruins’ outburst.

Forever Blueshirts: Well, this should be interesting. I haven’t read it yet, but colleagues at FB have the important takeaways from the extraordinary Rangers loss.

The Rangers are at a crossroads, and their results aren’t getting better. The NHL trade chatter is picking up around the Blueshirts, and now Vincent Trocheck could be bait.

The Athletic ($): So, what has gone wrong in Carolina for Jesperi Kotkaniemi?

Detroit Hockey Now: I am Batman. Here’s an awesome little story about what James van Riemsdyk would do for his four-year-old son. Check out this Detroit Red Wings arrival.

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