Dan’s Daily: Fleury Ties for 3rd All-Time, Matthews Mario-Like Year

For those of you who still follow Vegas Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury like he’s still part of the family, and based on the numbers there are a lot of you, this weekend was an important milestone as Fleury moved closer to all-time great status. Auston Matthews is having a Mario-like season, and please don’t ask “Mario who?” The Pittsburgh Penguins have one more lap in this grueling regular season, but what does it mean?

I’m not sure I realized just HOW good Matthews season has been. The Hockey Night in Canada comparison is pretty cool.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We compared the Pittsburgh Penguins’ final week to that of recent Stanley Cup Winners and what wins, or lack of wins, will mean for their Stanley Cup chances. 

PHN+: There could be a lot of Pittsburgh running through the Seattle Kraken. “Off the Record” spoke with NHL execs and hockey insiders who gave us the scoop on the first Seattle Kraken head coach. 

Here’s a special sale to join PHN+ for just $19.99. The playoffs are still a couple of weeks away, but in short order, we’ll have the Stanley Cup, the NHL Draft, Free Agency, followed by rookie camps, and the next training camp.

Our goal is 25 new annual subscribers this week! We really do appreciate your support. It means the world.

Now to Marc-Andre Fleury…

Vegas Hockey Now: He may want the second goal back, but Fleury made 19 saves and is one win away from joining Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy as the top three all-time winningest goalies in NHL history. 

NHL and National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: Auston Matthews has 17 goals in his last 17 games. He’s having a Mario Lemieux-like year. The charts from HNIC were pretty cool.

NY Post: Following another beatdown by the NY Islanders, Larry Brooks opines a shakeup throughout the New York Rangers organization, including star players, is necessary. 

Philly: The Flyers are speechless as the losses pile up. 

Possible Pittsburgh Penguins playoff opponents:

Boston: The Bruins’ patience with Jake DeBrusk seems to be wearing out. He “earned” a healthy scratch.

NYI: The takeaways from that Islanders smackdown of the Rangers. 

A reader recently argued that the Rangers have plenty of grit in their lineup. On paper, they do. In practice, the New York Rangers are too easy to play against. They do lack tenacity and real-world grit. They’re “soff.”

Colorado: Potential super rookie Alex Newhook got the call–halfway. Adrian Dater thinks he’ll play a few games before the end of the season. 

Florida: Chris Driedger has revived his career this season with the Panthers. Now he’s got a new mask celebrating his teammates. 

San Jose: They will conclude a disappointing season this week, but that means rookies get to play! Josef Korenar made 40 saves and stood on his head in the Sharks win. His teammates were impressed, and the kid brings some hope…