Dan’s Daily: Penguins Fumble Win, Fleury Trade Narrative Changing

MONTREAL — Before I shove off for home, the Daily Links has some real hockey stories. It’s an interesting season with young teams attempting to assert themselves but fighting the inconsistencies of inexperience, veteran teams with big payrolls in danger of quickly losing the thread, Marc-Andre Fleury struggling, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are always dramatic.

And a little nugget for the NHL trade rumors — Ron Hextall and Kent Hughes were engaged in a deep conversation in the hallway following the game. The teams hooked up over the summer in the Jeff Petry deal, and rumors abounded that Montreal had eyes on other Penguins before taking Mike Matheson in the trade.

The Penguins squandered a two-goal lead and lost in OT. Coach Mike Sullivan was blunt in his postgame assessment. The Vancouver Canucks are in danger of letting the early season eat them up again (lots of things have imploded in Vancouver lately). John Tortorella is getting the most out of his Philadelphia Flyers, and we’ll also get the Montreal perspective after the Canadiens took it to the Penguins.

Perhaps someday, I’ll learn enough French not to look terrified when someone greets me or asks a simple question.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The postgame recap — Montreal beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-2 in OT.

PHN+: Evgeni Malkin knocked on wood. No one saw Cole Caufield slip to the backside. Mike Sullivan said the Penguins “got what we deserved.” There were a couple of especially rough performances, including one from a star player. Penguins report card.

I hope you’ll support PHN. We’re on the road all season and providing lots of exclusive and unique hockey content. Subscribe to PHN+ here — and get Steelers and Pirates coverage, too!

Watch: On the National Hockey Now YouTube channel (and in the rain outside the Bell Centre) the 5-Minute Penguins Postgame

Steelers Now:

• No respect — Vegas oddsmakers have made the Dolphins an early seven-point favorite over the Steelers.
• Kevin Dotson is getting death threats?! Yinz needs to settle down. Dotson addressed the horrible behaviors. Steelers locker room.
• SN+: Chase Claypool is opening up the middle of the field (finally). Check out Steelers Extra.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: What it might take for the Pirates to extend Oneil Cruz.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Montreal: The youngsters powered the win over the Penguins. For those just getting an introduction — here’s the Montreal postgame with the names you’ll need to remember and how it looked from the other side. Montreal Canadiens win.

Wait, I don’t recall an Ole’ OleOlechant. I feel cheated.

Sportsnet Vancouver: The “mentally weak” Canucks are making history for the wrong reasons.

Jim Rutherford’s first year and a half in Pittsburgh weren’t so hot, either. But I have raised an eyebrow at the Canucks moves under Rutherford and Patrik Allvin.

Washington Hockey Now: The takeaways from D.C. (Capitals beat Vancouver) — Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season on a strange play, and the Washington Capitals rallied.

Philadelphia Hockey Now: A John Tortorella appreciation post. The Flyers are in great shape and playing for their coach. Philadelphia Flyers surprise.

Detroit: Tyler Bertuzzi is out for weeks, and Jakub Vrana is out for personal reasons. Detroit Red Wings updates.

Vegas: Hindsight is a pain. And, the Vegas narrative continues to change about the Marc-Andre Fleury trade.