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Dan’s Daily: The Sharks are Dealing, Good/Bad News for Penguins Playoff Push

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Pittsburgh Penguins, Marcus Pettersson, NHL trade rumors, Timo Meier

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pittsburgh Penguins playoff push got some good news Wednesday, while the team got some bad news on goalie Tristan Jarry. The Colorado Avalanche visited the NHL trade market for some odds and ends. The Buffalo Sabres are interested in Sharks winger Timo Meier, St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly doesn’t want to be on the NHL trade block, and Jamie Oleksiak was bloodied in a big-time fight that he probably won.

Dave Molinari was in a writing mood yesterday. He took care of the notebook, the Tristan Jarry story, and a power play look. I got to visit Penguins practice and then drive to D.C. Consider me disappointed. My absolute favorite thing to do on the road —  the monument walk at night — was a late scratch because of rain and fog. You couldn’t see half of the Washington Monument.

I’m a simple guy (sometimes). Food carts with hot dogs and gyros. And a monument walk. I’m always struck by the greatness of Washington, Lincoln, the WWII vets and their monuments (and the carnival sideshow formerly known as Congress). It’s a big spoonful of humility.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Casey DeSmith’s miscalculation and the fourth line shined. The Penguins notebook.

Out until after the All-Star break — The latest on goalie Tristan Jarry.

PHN+: The power play stunk on their first two tries against Florida. Then scored on three straight. What the? How the switch flipped for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NHL Trade, News & National Hockey Now:

Colorado Hockey Now: It’s not an insignificant move. Matt Nieto is headed back to Colorado with out-of-favor prospect Ryan Merkley. The Avalanche trade to address forward depth.

San Jose Hocke Now: The other side of the trade from the San Jose Sharks perspective.

TSN: The Buffalo Sabres, chasing the Penguins and Washington Capitals for the final playoff spot, are one of the teams interested in Sharks RFA Timo Meier.

Buffalo getting their hands on Meier would not be good news for the Penguins. However, the following story is good news.

NYI Hockey Now: Rinse. Lather. Repeat. It’s a scoring drought for the Fishsticks and six losses in a row for the New York Islanders.

The Islanders are now five points back of the Penguins and Capitals for the final playoff spot. The Penguins have three games in hand on both Washington and the Islanders. One of those teams will miss the playoffs. Buffalo trails the Penguins and Capitals by just three points and, like the Penguins, has played 47 games.

Lou Lamoriello took responsibility for the Islanders’ foibles, even as he kind of blamed the goal scorers during a press conference. “It’s on me,” said the Islanders GM.

Washington Hockey Now: A trade? Setting the record straight in Washington on Anthony Mantha and Capitals trade talk.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers’ win streak is over, and they’re back in a little skid, but Torts isn’t mad. Nope, John Tortorella likes what he sees from his Philadelphia Flyers.

Sportsnet: Ryan O’Reilly heard his name in the NHL trade rumors, but he doesn’t want to go anywhere.

Boston Hockey Now: So how about it — would O’Reilly fit as a Bruins trade target?

And no one likes fighting in hockey. Nope. No one ever watches. But just in case you do… Jamie Oleksiak vs. Luke Schenn was a titanic battle. The boys were throwing: