Dan’s Daily: Everyone Talking Penguins Blown Leads; Bring Back Nordiques?

Everyone from fans to Canadian media is talking about the Pittsburgh Penguins trend of blowing third period leads.  In one 60-minute game to begin a season, the trend has again become a raging topic, and defenseman Kris Letang may have foreshadowed it. The Columbus Blue Jackets are making defensemen available on the NHL trade block, Austin Matthews became the fastest Maple Leafs player to score 300 goals after a hatty Wednesday night, and could Patrice Bergeron bring back the Quebec Nordiques?

Penguins fans were ready to burn it down on Wednesday. Every trope, every good reason, and every scapegoat was front and center in front of a four-deep firing squad. Dave and I will cover practice today, but in reality, how can we ask a question that has both a dubious premise and can only be answered on the ice?

So, I had a thing yesterday. A clerk tried to give me a seniors discount. Seriously?! I have almost 20 years to go. He was offended that I didn’t take it and I was offended that he offered it. We had a tense stalemate that I first thought was a joke, but then I realized he was serious.

No, I’m nowhere close to my 60s. I just act like it … and I’m still kind of offended!

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I didn’t catch this, but Shelly Anderson spotted it. Did Letang unwittingly foreshadow the Penguins’ blown-leads problem?

Yep, there are some things to clean up. And Bedard bedazzled. The Penguins Notebook.

TSN: Even Craig Button is talking about the Penguins’ blown third-period lead.

Steelers Now:

Given a chance to respond to fans at Acrisure Stadium and then PPG Paints Arena that chanted “Fire Canada,” Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada declined a response.

Wow…Mike Tomlin ranked 3rd best NFL coach.

Yes, I’d like answers–why Darnell Washington isn’t in the passing game.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

From John Perrotto–the glaring need for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

While baseball is celebrating the playoffs, the boys over at Pittsburgh Baseball Now are counting down the top 30 Pirates prospects.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Frank Seravalli reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets are working the NHL trade market to move a defenseman.

Boston Hockey Now: He’s never thought about it, but could Patrice Bergeron help restore the Quebec Nordiques.

Sportsnet: Austin Matthews might be the Ovechkin to McDavid’s Crosby. Matthews netted a hat trick Wednesday and became the fastest Maple Leafs player ever to 300 goals.

Chicago Hockey Now: It was a loss, but Chicago Blackhawks future star Connor Bedard scored his first NHL goal.

Detroit Hockey Now: Barry Melrose is stepping away from ESPN to deal with Parkinson’s disease.

Metro Division:

New Jersey Hockey Now: Maybe the best team in the division. The three keys for success or failure for the New Jersey Devils.

Washington Hockey Now: The roster is set. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2023-24 Washington Capitals.

NYI Hockey Now: Is Ilya Sorokin a good bet for the Vezina? New York Islanders projections.

Carolina Hockey Now: A few setbacks were no problem, and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Ottawa Senators in their opener.