Dan’s Daily: Malkin Iffy, Hornqvist Ready, Sullivan for US Olympic Coach?

And here we go. Hockey’s second season began with an overtime bang on Saturday night, and Pittsburgh Penguins fans weren’t unhappy with the result even if the Washington Capitals won. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin seems to be questionable for the Penguins Game 1 puck drop, we’ll share the national folks Stanley Cup predictions and the NHL looks like it will scrap all of the fun of the 2020-21 NHL schedule.

I tire of typing this sentence…that’s a mistake by the NHL.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Evgeni Malkin did not take part in line rushes or on PP1 duties. We also have video of Malkin working out with the Penguins skills coach before practice.

Here are PHN’s Stanley Cup playoff predictions, odds, and for those inclined, a few prop bets and betting goodies, too.

Jared McCann has not yet scored his first playoff goal. He seemed to admit nerves got to him. 

The Malkin issue may be a good thing for the Penguins. You wouldn’t want them healthy and overconfident, would you? It seems they do well when staring at adversity and not as well when it’s just them. The Penguins have not had a full lineup since the first week of the season.

NYI Hockey Now: Semyon Varlamov was questionable to start the series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he practiced–full go– on Saturday. 

I still like the Penguins to make short work of the New York Islanders. I don’t think the Islanders can score with the Penguins or keep up, but Kyle Palmieri may have a word with me. He is the Islanders X factor, but scored just four points (2-2-4) in 17 games with NYI.

NHL & National Hockey Now

Florida Hockey Now: Patric Hornqvist is rested and ready for the Tampa Bay Lightning. If there’s one guy you’d follow into battle, it’s Hornqvist, isn’t it?

Philly: Could Nolan Patrick ask to be traded? NHL trade rumors are growing. 

ESPN: 39-year-old Craig Anderson (who thought he was retired last summer) lept off the bench and backstopped the Washington Capitals to a thrilling 3-2 OT win. Ovechkin was an animal, T.J. Oshie centered the third line and was there for the OT winner. 

Boston Hockey Now: Ovechkin set the tone early when he leveled David Krejci. 

Here’s the Boston side of things. Our boys in Boston seem shocked by Anderson.

Plenty of columns abound, too. Don’t forget, the NHL playoffs are the time of year when geriatric sportswriters who spend 11 months a year immersed in NFL opinion are suddenly leading pontificators of what your NHL team needs to do (that’s part sarcasm, part reality, eh?)

Sportsnet / HNIC Video: The Headlines segment broke the news that the NHL will revert back to their traditional schedule and playoff format with Wild Cards next season. And Pittsburgh Penguins Mike Sullivan is on the radar to be the U.S. Olympic coach (assuming the NHL lets players go to the Olympics).

TSN: Drew Doughty all-but torched his LA Kings and demanded changes this summer. 

San Jose Hockey Now: It’s been a rough season for Evander Kane. Financial issues and racial justice advocacy came to the fore, but he also had a pretty good season on the ice. San Jose expects him to be back in teal next year. 

Vegas: If you want to catch some Vegas Golden Knights and (probably) Marc-Andre Fleury, they’ll be on the national TV a few times in Round One.