Dan’s Daily: Penguins Mistakes, Ottawa is Closing, Top UFA Rumors

The Pittsburgh Penguins were great. Until they weren’t. The Penguins controlled the New York Islanders. Until they didn’t. It was another lost opportunity, but their playoff hopes moved forward despite the 4-3 OT loss to the Islanders. The loser point added more distance between them and the Buffalo Sabres and mitigated the Ottawa Senators’ thrilling win over the Seattle Kraken. Sportsnet compiled the latest news and rumors on the top 12 pending UFAs, and Tristan Jarry made the list.

You can see the raw video in our Penguins locker room feature. Mike Prisuta and I asked Bryan Rust four questions, and the media chat lasted 37 seconds. He was surly. Hey, there’s no blame from this keyboard. I thought you might like to see some real anger and frustration in the Penguins’ room. Rust had it.

There’s a little bit I’d like to share from last night behind the scenes, but that never goes well. I’m a curmudgeon who respects the game and its players. You can always tell people who had to work for where they are. I hope that respect for the game and the acquired knowledge by PHN staff are important to you.

That little paragraph took 45 minutes to write. Yeah, I deleted a lot.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A 4-3 OT loss to the Islanders. A major meltdown. Dave Molinari’s Penguins recap.

Here is the aforementioned feature with an angry Bryan Rust and other players: the Penguins’ locker room.

We took questions on Twitter for a video Q&A. From Tristan Jarry to trying to hold leads, I think we got into some good nitty-gritty stuff. From the arena — the Penguins analysis.

PHN+: The report card. There was a lot to unpack. The Penguins did a lot right, and I went into that in great detail, deservedly so. Then they made careless mistakes, and they compounded. I got into those, too. I was proud of this piece — the Penguins’ report card.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders lead the Penguins by two points for the first wild card. Ilya Sorokin said, “We just needed one.” From the flip side, here’s the New York Islanders’ room.

NHL News, Penguins Playoff Race, & National Hockey Now:

Silver Sens: Alex DeBrincat scores late, and the Ottawa Senators beat the Seattle Kraken. They are four points back of the Penguins.

WIVB: The Penguins got some help. Buffalo Sabres goalie Eric Comrie was put on the clothesline and hung out to dry. Buffalo lost to Dallas, 10-4.

That’s a Texas-sized 10-4. Comrie is the first Sabres goalie to give up 10 at home. The Penguins lead Buffalo by six points.

Sportsnet: Tristan Jarry, included. The latest on the top 12 pending UFAs.

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals lost to New Jersey in a shootout. Tom Wilson is sick of “could’ve.” More from the angry Washington Capitals room.

The Penguins lead the Capitals by five points and have two games in hand.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers have quietly re-entered the playoff race. They are four points back of the Penguins with one more game played. George Richards has more — this weekend could make or break the Florida Panthers.

Boston Hockey Now: If the playoffs began today, the Penguins would be on a plane to Boston. Last night, they were a little bit passive, and Edmonton sneaked out a win. The latest from the Boston Bruins.

Philly Hockey Now: The Penguins host the Flyers tomorrow. Philly has begun calling up prospects in their lost season, but they have a couple to watch — the scoop from Sam Carchidi and the Philly Flyers.

We’ll cap it there. Let’s be honest. All that matters for a bit are the Penguins and the teams they’re fighting.