The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t deserve to win, or salvage a point, but they were less than six minutes from doing one of those until a controversial call went against them, and their six-game winning streak was fittingly over. We’ve got the analysis, as well as the locker room reaction to the goal and to their lackluster game.

Elsewhere in the Daily, Barry Trotz shocked Nashville, the Washington Capitals crept a little close to the New York Islanders, Ottawa is working both ends of the NHL trade block, and John Gibson continued his torrid run since early December with another impressive showing in a Detroit Red Wings win.

And, Pittsburgh Hockey Now and the entire Hockey Now family send our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all of the teammates of the three Southern Alberta Mustangs players who tragically passed away in a motor vehicle accident Monday.

Reports indicate the boys, JJ Wright and Cameron Casorso, both 18 and both from Kamloops, B.C., and 17-year-old Caden Fine from Alabama, were killed on their way to practice in a collision with a truck hauling gravel heading the opposite direction.

Wright and Casorso previously played for Kamloops

God bless.

The Southern Alberta team plays in the U.S. Premier Hockey League’s Premier Division, which is primarily for college prep. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also offered their condolences.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Vince Comunale provided the postgame recap of the ugliness and controversy of the Penguins game.

Now, let’s really get into it. The goal. Arturs Silovs was brilliant in the game and angry afterward. Other teammates ripped to the goal, including some comments exclusive to PHN. Coach Dan Muse was no fan of the goal and firmly defended his coach’s challenge, too. It was an ugly game, and a controversial goal. Here’s everything in the Penguins’ report card.

Before the game, the Penguins activated Ryan Graves from IR. Caleb Jones was a full participant at the morning skate and appears ready to be activated (and perhaps assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to finish his original conditioning assignment).

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Ottawa Sun: The Senators are also kicking tires across the league, trying to get better via the NHL trade block, while simultaneously dangling their pending free agent players as rentals. Ottawa is getting busy.

My goodness, I despised the 1-4 trade Ottawa played Monday. The Penguins played right into it, too, but if I could ban that scheme, I wouldn’t think twice.

Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos doesn’t stir the pot. He stirs the cauldron. How deep will Toronto cut? The big names and big swings make up his Trade Board 3.0.

TSN: Barry Trotz shocked everyone Monday. He is retiring after just a few years as the Nashville Predators’ GM. He announced at a quickly called press conference that he’s going to finish the season, then that’s it.

Philly Hockey Now: Sean Couturier has a new role, and it’s certainly not a promotion. He and coach Rick Tocchet discussed Couturier’s steep demotion in the Flyers’ lineup.

Tocchet is getting fiesty in Philly. President Keith Jones publicly said he has to remind Tocchet to play the young players more. I think we’ve got ourselves some confusion in Philly.

New Jersey Hockey Now: More mystery surrounding the injury and status of Jack Hughes.

Boston Hockey Now: The Beanpot. The single most enjoyable sporting event I’ve ever been to. I’ve been to the Indy 500 (which I adore beyond words), many Stanley Cup Final games, but the Beanpot…pure hockey joy. The rivalries, the chants, all in one arena. Hockey, too. Jack Studley notes that a handful (5?!) Boston Bruins prospects had a big first night.

Harvard students chanting about their higher SAT scores, Boston chanting at Boston College, “Safety School! Safety School!” I was as enthralled with the fan participation as I was with the games when I covered the event in 2022. If you ever get the chance…

Detroit Hockey Now: John Gibson has been on a tear for a couple of months, and for the first time since 2016, the Colorado Avalanche were shutout by the Detroit Red Wings.

Tags: Nashville Predators nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins southern alberta mustangs

Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors