The NHL trade rumors have come for Vincent Trocheck once again, but this time it seems his time in New York is done. There were some Game 2 dandies, including a grudge match in Tampa Bay that went to overtime. And we dug into the overwhelming importance of the next two games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and how an ignominious defeat could very well affect their future and deny certain players a new contract.
I’m writing this from Harrisburg, then taking the Amtrak into Philly this morning. It was much less expensive to get a $59 hotel in Harrisburg, park at Amtrak for $2 a day, and take a $30 train than it was for one extra night in center city and parking for five days. I’m nothing if not frugal on your dime. Dinner was two Sheetz dogs for $2, too.
I do very much like Philadelphia because there are a lot of blue collar eats, but lord almighty, the Philly fans who think media are fans or that we play for the team gets more than tedious. The comments on the postgame video were so blockheaded as to be funny. You don’t do that to Philly writers, do you?
The Penguins didn’t get the result in Game 2, but it was nice to hear Penguins fans chant Philly Sucks … rather than the bit more crude version in Game 1. I mean, guys, there are kids there, and Pittsburgh is a good place. Philly Sucks–I think we can all live with that.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: You know what–the more I read it, and the more I watched my own video of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, the more it looked like gaslighting. It’s the fault of NHL coaches that the challenge conversion is so low, and the NHL has gotten them right. He said that. However, Bettman also seemed to indicate the Penguins’ sale is still moving in the right direction. Here’s Bettman’s subtle beatdown of the Penguins goalie interference complaint.
Now, let us take a little walk down a hypothetical path that could become very real tonight. If the Flyers rudely bounce the Penguins in Round One, it can and should affect decisions this summer. But there’s also one player who has improved his chances to stay–and we explain why. It’s all in the Penguins blog.
And hey, check out this golfer who qualified for the final qualifier for the U.S. Open:
Connequenessing CC amateur Rick Stimmel, 58, birdied the first playoff hole to grab one of five qualifying spots in the U.S. Open local qualifier at Nevillewood. Glengarry pro Talon Kriebel tied for medalist with 3-under 69. Austin Lemieux, Mario’s son, also qualified with 70.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) April 22, 2026
NHL Rumors, News, & Stanley Cup Playoffs
NHLtraderumors.me: Elliotte Friedman dropped a big nugget in the latest 32 Thoughts–here’s just the Trocheck part–it’s expected the New York Rangers will trade Trocheck following the playoffs.
Winnipeg Sun: There’s some consternation from the media and fans after the coach and GM spoke following the season. At the crux of the matter–there were no answers or solutions.
Montreal Hockey Now: A humdinger of a hockey game. A goal from center ice. The Tampa Bay Lightning tried to be a bully, but it didn’t work, so they played hockey. Eventually, Tampa Bay got the OT winner in the thrilling win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Colorado and LA had a wild game, too. Quinton Byfield had a penalty shot. A fan celebrated Scott Wedgewood’s save way too hard and shattered the glass behind the LA bench. So the game was going strong and scoreless at 1:15 a.m. … And just as I started the next sentence, Artemi Panarin scored a power play goal with seven minutes remaining.
The Athletic ($): The Vancouver Canucks fired GM Patrik Allvin after a disastrous season. The Athletic is reporting that Vancouver wants to return to the playoffs ASAP, and they will interview former Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams.
….and Gabe Landeskog just tied the game in the time it took me to set my alarm for 5:30 a.m. and write that last paragraph.
Vegas Hockey Now: Heartbreak Hotel. Logan Cooley was the difference as the Utah Mammoth got the franchise’s first playoff victory with a late goal and the Vegas Golden Knights let Game 2 slip away.
And Colorado won in OT.
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