Dan’s Daily: Fleury Hints at Future, Top 50 Draft Prospects

The Pittsburgh Penguins have blown 16 third period leads in the last two seasons, including seven this season, so far. Saturday night, the Penguins chucked away their second multi-goal third period lead in six days, this time against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets, and we’ve got full coverage from Columbus. Elsewhere in the Daily, Marc-Andre Fleury teased his future, Evander Kane’s act is wearing thin in Edmonton, Jack Eichel was tossed out for spearing Kirill Kaprizov in Vegas’s overtime win over Minnesota, and Sportsnet ranked the top 50 NHL Draft prospects.

Credit Penguins’ historian Bob Grove for the blown leads stat.

I’m not sure I’ve been more shocked by a Penguins collapse. They blew a four-goal lead to Colorado, but at least Colorado is extraordinary. The Columbus Blue Jackets are a bottom-of-the-barrel NHL team in last place. However, a couple of days in Columbus, celebrating another orbit around the sun was a much-needed break from writing until the wee hours and rising before the sun.

I enjoyed my time at the Park St. Tavern across the street from the North Market and just up High St. from the arena. I highly recommend it. It was the rare combination of a bar for adults and a good time. It’s also funny to see so many college students dressing like it is 1992. That’s the new style. If only I’d kept my rugby shirts…

And a Happy Easter to many of you. Save some jelly beans for me.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A 3-1 lead and a 4-3 shootout loss. Dave Molinari’s Penguins recap.

The Penguins report card: The scoreboard was friendly to the Penguins. They just needed to win. A full analysis and beatdown, er, breakdown of tPenguins’ins loss. Believe me, I didn’t spare feelings after the latest self-inflicted Penguins collapse.

PHN Video: If you think there’s nothing more to say, I disagree. What are the real reasons things stunk, and what are bumper sticker canards? From the arena in Columbus, watch the latest Penguins postgame.

NHL Rumor, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: We’re still not sure if the Penguins will have a first-round pick this year, but if they do, it might behoove you to start getting familiar with the top 50 NHL draft prospects.

NHL: I think you’ll be happy to read this story. Marc-Andre Fleury feels like he rediscovered the joy of playing hockey. If you think he’s retiring, you might be wrong. Yep, more from the Flower.

Oilers Nation: The act is wearing thin again. The Edmonton Oilers aren’t so happy with Evander Kane, and he’s not happy with them. Has Kane worn out his welcome up north?

The scoreboard should have added fuel to the Penguins’ fire. All of the teams that needed to lose … did.

Philly Hockey Now: Another bad loss keeping the door open to those behind them; nothing could jumpstart the Philadelphia Flyers.

Detroit Hockey Now: Yep, Detroit lost, too. Our colleagues handicap the Eastern Conference playoff race that no one wants to win, including the Detroit Red Wings.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The hope the Devils would get their star defenseman back in the lineup this season is over. Dougie Hamilton won’t play for the New Jersey Devils this season.

Vegas Hockey Now: Whoops, that will probably cost Jack Eichel some money, if not a game. Eichel speared Kirill Kaprizov and got a Game Misconduct in the Vegas Golden Knights comeback win.