Dan’s Daily: Penguins Bellyflop Again, Jets Coach Rips Team

The Pittsburgh Penguins punted another chance to enhance their standing. Fans let rip on social media and on our Penguins chat. Perhaps many fans wish coach Mike Sullivan ripped his team as Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness lit into his team, which is also struggling to lock up a playoff spot. Summertime NHL trade rumors are already beginning in Montreal. Jonathan Toews admitted he could be in the final weeks of his Blackhawks career, and Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe tore into Michael Bunting on the bench Monday, then answered for it Tuesday.

No, I did not intentionally include stories of angry coaches putting the boots to their teams and players. It just worked out that way.

PHN is already having its best consecutive months ever. Thank yoU! It looks like we’ll crest at over 1,000,000 readers for the second consecutive month, which we’ve never done before. Just our luck, the national ad services have cut ad rates by 50%. So, I’m going to ask you a favor. If you read us often, join us ad-free with a PHN+ subscription. We hope to add 100 subscribers in the next two weeks. Join us here.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Sports Now):

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: That was the re-emergence of the bad Penguins in the 7-4 loss to the Red Wings. From Detroit, Dave Molinari’s Penguins recap.

PHN+: The Penguins report card. Who played well, who were the goats, and what didn’t the Penguins exploit?

Short answers, long faces, and unhappy players. Go inside the Penguins’ locker room.

Everyone is mad today. That was a head-shaking loss. But admit it, you’re enjoying the playoff race and want to see the 17th consecutive Penguins playoff berth.

One of the respondents on our Penguins chat insisted it was better if they missed the playoffs. It got wild — Watch our Penguins chat here.

The Penguins’ playoff chances are down to 74.4%, per MoneyPuck.

Detroit Hockey Now: It looks like a pretty good coaching move. Derek Lalonde got tossed after the Penguins tied the game on a disputed goal. The Detroit Red Wings coach ejected.

Steelers Now:

SIX really good stories by Alan Saunders. Go to the homepage for everything.

The NFL approved a rule to make cutdown day a single day. That will be a frenzy — Steelers news.

After players rated the Steelers near the bottom of facilities and hospitality, Art Rooney III said he’s open to upgrading the Steelers’ facilities.

Steelers GM Omar Khan is open for business and willing to trade up at the draft. Steelers trade talk.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Five Pirates predictions.

PBN+: With the new rules, how will the Pittsburgh Pirates adjust?

Penguins Playoff Chase, NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: Monday, Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe had a bone to pick with streaky Michael Bunting. Cameras catch everything, and everyone had to talk about it Tuesday.

TSN: Jonathan Toews admitted he could be in his final few weeks with the Chicago Blackhawks.

I agree. Toews would be a nice addition of youth and young legs for the coming Penguins youth movement (sarcasm).

Rick Bowness ripped his Winnipeg Jets after a bad loss. He said they “were dreaming” if they thought they did enough.

Montreal Hockey Now: NHL trade rumors are starting to percolate even before the summer.

Philly Hockey Now: What are you doing?! The Flyers beat Montreal, and with much better odds of getting Connor Bedard within reach, the Philadelphia Flyers won their fourth in a row.

Colorado Hockey Now: There are several NHL stars not eligible to play for Team Canada until the investigation into group sexual assault by members of the 2018 Team Canada World Juniors squad is cleared. The biggest name on the squad is Avalanche defenseman, Cale Makar.