Dan’s Daily: An Ejection & Brawl in D.C., Penguins Put Leafs in Chokehold

TORONTO — The Pittsburgh Penguins are washing away the bitter taste of a long winless streak with shockingly good defensive hockey and structure. They put the Toronto Maple Leafs in a chokehold on Friday. Also in the Daily, the four surprising early season NHL trade candidates, you witnessed a special moment on Friday before the Penguins game, Nicolas Aube-Kubel stirred the pot for the Capitals, Claude Giroux will return to Philadelphia today, and the NHL will hold the World Cup of Hockey but not for a couple of years.

The magical mystery tour continues today with a drive to Montreal. The Penguins can (and should) beat the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Is anyone else as impressed as I was by the Penguins’ third period?

The locker room really talked about what they did right, even Casey DeSmith. The way the Penguins played, a Zamboni driver could have played goalie.

The Report Card and Penguins Locker Room Insider are both PHN+ stories. For exclusive content, analysis and to support this band of rebels upsetting the Pittsburgh media establishment with a new way to do things, join our team. Get $10 off a subscription that covers ALL three pro sports teams (PHN+/Steelers+/Pirates+). Use coupon code: 10off. Click here.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The postgame recap and the moment everyone’s eyes got dusty. It was Brock McGinn again. Here’s the recap of the Penguins’ win.

PHN+: The report card — What the Penguins did right in the third period and the locker room reaction. Coach Mike Sullivan said Evgeni Malkin was in “beast mode,” and the Penguins structure was flawless. Get the full, in-depth Penguins analysis.

PHN+: Brock McGinn was beaming but not about his goal. Casey DeSmith is having a time. And Evgeni Malkin was not so happy with the refs, but “I don’t care because we win.” Go inside the Penguins locker room.

National Hockey Now YouTube: The 5-minute postgame. Don’t forget to like our channel to be notified of the always-fun live chats. From high above Toronto, the Penguins postgame.

Steelers Now:

• Najee Harris shouldered all of the blame for his struggles. All of it.
• Larry Ogunjobi is good to go, but not everyone is. Get the Steelers injury update.
• Hallelujah. T.J. Watt will be back on Sunday in full capacity. No snap counts, no holding back. Here comes T.J. Watt.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

• Nick Gonzalez capped off Fall League play with a four-hit game. More on the Pirates prospects.
• PBN+: John Perrotto writes — that was a refreshing move by Ben Cherington. Get the Pittsburgh Pirates details.

And yes, if you subscribe to PHN+, you get free access to PBN+ and Steelers+ content.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: I was privileged to be here for it. The Toronto Maple Leafs honored the Hall of Fame inductees, including Leafs stalwart Borje Salming. Unfortunately, Salming has ALS and can no longer speak. It was an emotional, heartwarming, and poignant moment before the Penguins game. It hit home for everyone. Darryl Sittler’s tears, and I think Mats Sundin got dusty, said it all. Here’s the video.

I feel terrible that we didn’t get to ask the Penguins more about the inductees. But the truth is — They had to pack quickly and get to Montreal, and the moment stood on its own without outside input. I’ll never forget it.

**Philly Hockey Now: It will be a moment in Philly today. Claude Giroux returns this afternoon.

Montreal Hockey Now: Do it! MHN writes the Canadiens would be wise to follow through soon, on the NHL trade rumors surrounding Josh Anderson.

Sportsnet: From Bo Horvat to Erik Karlsson, the are surprising NHL trade chatter/speculation/realities.

If San Jose can move Karlsson, they need to ASAP. And I cannot wait for Jim Rutherford to start wheeling and dealing in Vancouver. It’s exciting. The Canucks might clean house. If Bruce Boudreau finishes next week as the coach, that means they have won a few games.

TSN: Mike Sullivan professed a little disappointment, but the World Cup of Hockey will happen, but not until 2024.

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals won, and Sonny Milano scored a wild goal. Watch this Washington Capitals goal.

Also from Sammi Silber, who had her hands full with the Capitals’ win over Tampa Bay: A dirty hit, an ejection, and a 17-player (?!) brawl started by Nicolas Aube-Kubel.

No, I don’t think Mike Sullivan would have gone for that stuff.

NYI: Mathew Barzal is ice-cold in the goals department. We’re talking Ice-Ice-Baby. So, stop, collaborate and listen. Here’s what the New York Islanders have to say.