The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins began Game 5 at 6:05 p.m. which was perfect to cover the game and get home. However, they elongated the game by absolutely filling the net in their 8-1 win over Springfield, but the outcome was abundantly obvious from the opening drop. Tristan Broz was dominant, and we’ve got in-depth analysis of the big night and go inside the Penguins prospects’ impressive performances.

Elsewhere in the Daily, it seems everyone has the same idea and the same goalie target on the NHL trade block. The Carolina Hurricanes took the life out of Game 2, allowing the Montreal Canadiens just 12 shots even with overtime. 12?! It looks like Boone Jenner is on his way out of Columbus, and Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar should have chosen his words better, unless he wanted to deliver some veiled criticism of injured defenseman Cale Makar.

Happy to say the trip up and back to Wilkes-Barre was uneventful. And the Kingerski curse is officially OVER! Since I didn’t get a hotel last night, I rolled around Wilkes-Barre all afternoon. I asked Siri for the nearest diner, and it took me to Amigon’s Diner, which was not exactly a greasy spoon. I mean, it had flowers and such, but what the heck? Check out this breakfast for $14. The waitress actually asked me — “Do you want the strawberries?”

Uhhh, yes!

And then I found the downtown Wilkes-Barre Boscov’s. I’m a sucker for department stores in a downtown setting, and it is an old-school five-story department store with old narrow escalators. So, with all of the clearance sales, I got flannel pajama pants for $1.99, and a flannel shacket for $4.99.

Bear in mind, I didn’t need pajama pants or a shacket, but the Polish in me saw the clearance prices and it would have been offensive NOT to buy them.

Also, happy Indy Day! I’ve watched more of the practices than I care to admit and Chip Gnassi’s cars have been on rails this month. But I’m pulling for Ferrucci and Pato, both deserve a 500. Or, an Indiana boy on an Indiana night (Ed Carpenter, Connor Daly) wouldn’t disappoint, either. Hopefully, the rain holds off.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: There are some lingering questions as we get closer to June, and some we haven’t yet discussed, including Ryan Graves’s future, Justin Brazeau’s fade, and dark horses to make next year’s Penguins roster.

Humble brag: I was the only Pittsburgh media folk to make the trip to Wilkes-Barre for Game 5, and it was an angry beatdown off the hop. Tristan Broz flexed. Harrison Brunicke was really good. And we got our first look at Bill Zonnon. With some colorful quotes, here’s the in-person game coverage and in-depth Penguins prospect analysis.

Broz. He put on a show in the first period, which decided the game. An absolute playoff performer.

Or if you’d like the postgame video from the arena instead:

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Spector’s Hockey: Three different stories, three different writers in three different cities. Ottawa, Edmonton, and Philadelphia. They all came to the same conclusion, and that is trade for Buffalo Sabres goalie Devon Levi.

Montreal Hockey Now: 12 shots. Some 64 minutes of hockey and the Carolina Hurricane absolutely crushed Montreal, allowing them just 12 measly shots on goal. et, Montreal forced overtime before Carolina claimed Game 2. Marc Dumon has the full story and everything you need to know about the Canadiens loss.

NHLtraderumors.me: It looks like Boone Jenner is on his way out of Columbus. The long-time captain and absolute thorn in the Penguins’ shoe, axed his agent, and it looks like Columbus is prepared to move on, too.

That’s kind of a shame. It feels like Jenner should be a lifer in Columbus.

Sportsnet: Taken individually, Colorado coach Jared Bednar’s comments were a little squirrelly. He seemingly put Makar’s absence on Makar and said the player would return when he feels ready.

No pressure.

Detroit Hockey Now: James van Riesmdyk. It’s just about time to say goodbye. He had a big first half, but then? He hit the skids in the final 30. Kevin Allen delivers a gentle but stinging report card. Will the kids take his spot? Will JVR hang it up?

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