Dan’s Daily: Matt Murray Hopes to Face Penguins, NHL Trade Rumor Updates

MONTREAL — And just like that, the good feelings surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins went poof, as the team couldn’t hold a pair of third-period leads, as neither lasted 60 seconds in a 5-4 OT loss to the Montreal Canadiens. One former Penguins player won’t score a goal against them, but goalie Matt Murray is hoping to return from injury on Tuesday, when the Maple Leafs visit the Penguins. Murray hasn’t played in Pittsburgh since being traded in the summer of 2020. The Ottawa Senators are looking to the NHL trade market for a defenseman. The Calgary Flames are shopping for a scoring forward. And Claude Giroux returned home for a day.

The Penguins’ loss was a bit predictable, even though they should have won. The Penguins have not been very good in back-to-backs, and Montreal is a fun, energetic team.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A 5-4 OT loss. The gory Penguins postgame.

PHN+: The five Penguins takeaways and analysis. The locker room felt they gave one away, even as they struggled to explain their subpar play. And what about Sidney Crosby? Penguins takeaways.

Montreal Hockey Now: The flip side — Nick Suzuki continued to dominate in the win over the Penguins. Montreal Canadiens postgame.

Steelers Now:

• Appendectomy? Minka Fitzpatrick is OUT vs. the Saints.
• Involve the running backs in the passing game! Says Najee Harris.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: In the 32 Thoughts intermission of HNIC, Elliotte Friedman put the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames squarely in the NHL trade rumors. Ottawa is looking for backside help, and the Flames are looking for scoring help.

The New Jersey Devils can’t lose. The Metro Division-leading band of upstarts and top overall picks has won nine in a row, and fans began chanting an apology to coach Lindy Ruff. Early in the season, fans chanted, “Fire Lindy.” In a cool twist, fans changed their tune, “Sorry, Lindy,” which amused the coach.

Philly Hockey Now: A former Flyers stalwart returned to beat the Flyers, but the lovefest with fans was loud. You can go home again, but only for a day, Claude Giroux.

Washington: The NHL suspended Nicolas Aube-Kubel for three games for the head hit that touched off a bigger brawl in D.C. than anyt that has happened in Congress this year. The Aube-Kubel suspension and explanation: Washington Capitals news.

It’s a shame the brawl had to be about a hit to the head. A good old-fashioned line brawl always gets the heart pumping.

TSN: Matt Murray was cleared, but did not play Saturday. He’s aiming for Tuesday against, guess who? The Pittsburgh Penguins.

Penguins fans gave Murray a nice ovation last season, but the goalie was injured and watching from the press box. This time, he’ll be on the ice against his former mates.

LA Hockey Now: Oh, look at the royal unis! The Penguins’ good news is that the Red Wings lost. The LA Kings stayed hot in the 4-3 win over Detroit.

Dallas: The feel-good story this morning. Lots of smiles — the Dallas Stars visit to Children’s Hospital.