NEW YORK — The Pittsburgh Penguins are one point behind the New York Islanders in the Metro Division but have one game in hand with nine games to go. The teams will slug it out Monday at UBS Arena, and the Penguins might have a pair of star players back, as both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were full participants at practice. Everyone is holding their breath to see if the old lions will go against the Islanders, and Shelly Anderson has the latest from the Penguins Sunday practice.
Elsewhere in the Daily, the Vegas Golden Knights dropped a bombshell and bounced coach Bruce Cassidy with just eight games to go. Not only did they can Cassidy, they added more shock value by hiring John Tortorella. The Penguins got a little bit of playoff help from the Boston Bruins. There’s Hart Trophy voting controversy surrounding Nikita Kucherov, and I’ll give you some input. And the Philadelphia Flyers dropped some news by signing their top prospect and then gaining two more points to get back into the playoff race.
Greeting from New York City. I’m staying here because I got a great hotel deal and because it beats Long Island. No one else made it to the city last night in time for dinner, so I had a little B-day dinner solo (the life of a traveler).
I had a little dinner at Skirt Steak at 29th and 6th. I’ve been there several times now. They serve skirt steak. And only skirt steak. I didn’t want to be that guy in the trendy little spot taking pictures of his food, but it’s pretty, pretty good.
But then I made a rookie mistake in NYC. I went looking for a great bar with the right crowd—not too big, but not three razor-fearing dudes in hoodies sitting there quietly watching basketball. After walking around for two hours, I had a Harp in an Irish pub and called it a night. I was comfy and happy at the restaurant. I chased a white whale. That never works. Rookie mistake.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It’s the question, and the only question for the Penguins today. Who will be healthy enough to face the New York Islanders? Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin practiced. Which Penguins will play tonight?
Malkin’s injuries have further clouded his future, haven’t they?
Steelers Now: Art Rooney II gave a timeline for the team’s wait on Aaron Rodgers.
I wonder if that guy who did the State Farm commercials and screamed, “Rodgers!” is on Cameo? Just wondering.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Buccos got a much needed win in New York. Danny Demilio has you covered, like every day, with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now
Vegas Hockey Now: I very much enjoyed covering Bruce Cassidy and the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2023 Cup run. It will forever be one of the biggest highlights of my career. Sunday, the Golden Knights pulled a shocker–the late season coaching change. They canned Cassidy, then doubled the shock value by hiring John Tortorella.
Cassidy was a treat to cover. After a couple of weeks of getting my bearings with the team, I asked him an Xs and Os question; I think it was about keeping the defensemen tight to the net against Edmonton. After a moment of considering how he should answer, he looked at me and replied, “Well, the other teams have video, they know, eh,” and gave a wonderfully detailed answer. He really added to the experience, and he’ll be behind another bench soon.
Boston Hockey Now: A huge comeback. Jack Studley has all things Bruins–The Columbus Blue Jackets led 3-0 in the second period, but in the waning moments, the Boston Bruins forced OT. Then the Bruins won the shootout.
NHLtraderumors.me: Jeff Marek said that voters he’s talked to are planning to leave Nikita Kucherov off their Hart Trophy ballot because while others were playing in the Olympics, he was at home resting. Controversy is brewing.
I have again been submitted to vote on the awards. It’s not guaranteed because there are so many writers in the East, but I cannot believe someone would penalize Kucherov for not being able to play in the Olympics. What he is doing is extraordinary, and he’s scoring at a pace not seen since Mario. I don’t know who my No. 1 choice would be, but Kucherov most certainly would be on my ballot without factoring in the Olympic break. Look, he even plays defense. He’s an underrated best-ever.
TSN: Some young guns could totally reset the salary standard for restricted free agents as Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, and Leo Carlsson are up for a new deal. Also, the Ottawa Senators are inching closer to a downtown arena.
You know, I’ve never been to downtown Ottawa.
Florida Hockey Now: It made no sense to push. The Florida Panthers are out of the playoff chase after injuries absolutely wrecked their season, and coach Paul Maurice says Aleksander Barkov is shutdown for the season.
New Jersey Hockey Now: It has been an achingly disappointing season in New Jersey, which could have rippling effects in the offseason and cost people their jobs. Carolina beat New Jersey Sunday night, but as Pat Pickets points out–it has been the collapse of goalie Jacob Markstrom that has mired the New Jersey Devils at the bottom this season.
Detroit Hockey Now: Simple question. Are the Detroit Red Wings up for the playoff challenge?
Sportsnet: The very soft drumbeat has begun again. If Detroit misses the playoffs, should Steve Yzerman be on the hot seat?
Philly Hockey Now: And lastly, but definitely not least, guess who has clawed their way back into the playoff hunt? The Philadelphia Flyers beat the Dallas Stars and are just two points behind Columbus for the second wild card. They’re adopting an “us against the world” slogan, and the Flyers are hot.
Tags: bruce cassidy nhl news Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby