HOME — The Pittsburgh Penguins finished the first segment of the season with a jaw-dropping, mistake-filled game that surrendered what should have been a win against the lethargic Toronto Maple Leafs. Oh, we’ve got the full analysis of the Ontario abomination. Another team has entered what they want to call a “hybrid” rebuild. There’s more NHL trade chatter regarding what the LA Kings turned down, but also where Rasmus Andersson wants to go. And look out, here come the Buffalo Sabres.

I love it when the border guards are hockey fans. The driving this week has been long and grueling, but the wheels approach allowed me to save about $1000 on the travel budget (Hey–I don’t waste your money, except on the occasional hidden gem dinner). On both sides of the border on this trip, I said what I do and the purpose of my trip, and the Canadian guard shook her head, “Oh, the Leafs are terrible,” and sent me on my way. The American guard, “The Penguins blew one today. You know the Sabres just closed it out in OT,” and sent me on my way.

No doubt, they could see a passenger seat full of empty Red Bull cans, some fast food wrappers, Sheetz bags, and White Castle remnants that I use as an air freshener.

But I’m home for a few days, and we’re doing a Penguins Live Chat today at 1:05 p.m., so stop by.

I’ve also got more Penguins content this AM.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: If you had better things to do Tuesday afternoon, here it is, complete with some references from Literature, 1970s rock, and some sarcasm, too. The Penguins recap.

Hey, sometimes I’ve got to make it fun for me, too.

The deeper analysis of the game is worth noting because, as I furiously wrote the report card, I realized how many high-grade performances there were, but they were offset by some just stunning mistakes. Here’s some in-depth game analysis with the bigger picture, and Erik Karlsson describing his play, which gave up the breakaway in the Penguins Report Card.

Sportsnet: Here’s the flip side postgame report from Luke Fox.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Toronto Hockey Now: The press conference in Toronto went off the rails. Those who witnessed the spectacle were equal parts in awe and laughing in gallows humor. While GM Brad Treliving fully affirmed coach Craig Berube’s tenure, Elliotte Friedman has a report on both of their futures.

NHLtraderumors.me: Canucks GM Patrik Allvin was on Amazon Prime during the Canucks game this week. He used one of the dreaded Rs to describe his plans. Another team has entered a “hybrid” rebuild.

Yes, Penguins fans are correct, the Penguins really should have ripped off the bandage in 2019 or so, but I also hate talking about it because we’re all geniuses in hindsight. This website was the one to report the Florida Panthers’ offer in 2018 for Evgeni Malkin, and I very tepidly advocated for it. Our report was corroborated by national reporting months later, but in the Penguins’ shoes, what if they had won another Stanley Cup? Or at least several playoff series, like the 2021 Jarry melt against the Islanders, or the terribly officiated games against the Rangers in 2022?

NHL.com: Seven wins in a row for the Buffalo Sabres. The organization’s revamp changed the culture immediately, and the wins are flowing.

Frankly Hockey (Video): Frank Seravalli’s show with John Buccigross. They talked quite a bit about Sidney Crosby passing Mario Lemieux, but also where Rasmus Andersson will wind up (hint: no tax states).

Carolina tried to pawn off Jesperi Kotkaniemi for Philip Danault:

Poor Kotkaniemi. He just doesn’t fit with the Carolina system.

Montreal Hockey Now: Old-time hockey, coach! At the opening faceoff, the gloves came off, and the boys were at it. Fights and goals galore between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.

New Jersey Hockey Now: It is getting frustrating in New Jersey. A hot and cold goalie. And bad luck. Oh it is always something(s) with the New Jersey Devils.

Florida Hockey Now: The Sunbelt no-taxers submitted a couple of games so bad that coach Paul Maurice refused to watch them again. He gave his team a couple of mulligans, but when things didn’t improve, he ripped into them. Then things improved. Coincidence, I think not. Maurice still runs the Florida Panthers.

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