Dan’s Daily Links: Penguins Primetime Schedule and Rivalry Exhibition

Someday, these few weeks will make an extraordinary documentary. The NHL and NHLPA came to a CBA agreement without a lockout or much tension, they agreed to Phase 3 and Phase 4 protocols, and the bubble cities were assembled at lightning speed. Hopefully, there will never again be a Stanley Cup awarded without fans, but the preparations have been incredible. The Pittsburgh Penguins schedule was released last night, and the Ted Lindsay Award nominees represent a changing of the guard.

The Pittsburgh Penguins schedule vs. the Montreal Canadiens is primetime. Games 1-3 will be played at 8 p.m on Aug. 1, 3, and 5. Games 4 and 5, if necessary, will be on Aug. 7 and 8, with puck drop TBD.

A couple of seasoned veterans will square off when Sidney Crosby and the @penguins take on Shea Weber and the @CanadiensMTL. Who has the edge? #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/PCMwRny0CA pic.twitter.com/FwNoWc5Pj5

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 14, 2020

And–oh by the way–the Penguins will have an “exhibition” game against the Philadelphia Flyers on July 28 at 4 p.m. That should be fun. Montreal will play Toronto, too.

Sportsnet has a news blog of all the training camps. Most of it isn’t hard news, but it’s a good way to peek in (Sportsnet)

The burst of positive tests at the start of Phase 3 camp, combined with the Penguins voluntary isolation of nine players due to secondary exposure to COVID-19, it’s clear the NHL and NHLPA made a mistake, which risks the return to play (PHN+)

Jared McCann has a signed Patrick Marleau puck…from when he was 12. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Penguins third line with McCann will be a pivotal line, especially in Round One.

Draisaitl, MacKinnon, and Panarin. The players chose their Ted Lindsay Award nominees (NHLPA)

NHL Hub City and bubble city transformations are occurring at warp speed (TSN)

The NBA quarantine in the bubble city isn’t going so well. Some players are treating the rules like suggestions (TSN)

If you haven’t yet–check out George Richards’ Florida Hockey Now. He’s already dominating coverage (FHN)

The Boston Bruins top line is still not together as David Pastrnak is in quarantine (Boston Hockey Now)

It will be interesting to watch all of the players who came late to Phase 2 or only showed up for Phase 3 and are behind. How quickly will they catch up?