Dan’s Daily: Avs Win Awesome Game 1, Going Goalie Shopping

It was pond hockey brilliance. Vintage 1980s playoff hockey. For those of you who aren’t old enough to remember the salad days of the 1980s when Mario and Wayne ruled, you got a peek on Tuesday night as Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid led their teams on the firewagon. One goalie pulled, and one goalie was injured. The Colorado Avalanche eventually won 8-6. The Pittsburgh Penguins may go (backup) goalie shopping, a top center is off the NHL trade block, and don’t expect the big St. Louis Blues names on the trade block, either.

Confession: After a long bike ride home from northern PA, I settled in for Game 1, poured myself an iced tea, and passed out before the second period. I mean slumped over in my recliner, out cold. I’ll watch the shortened version this AM. I hope you enjoyed it. I woke up to a dozen text messages from our Colorado reporters and hockey friends. Each text included more !!! than the last.

So, let’s get to the hockey…

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Goalie shopping. Is Casey DeSmith going to be the Penguins’ backup next season? Dave Molinari tackled that question and looked at alternatives. Pittsburgh Penguins offseason.

NHL Trade, Playoffs & National Hockey Now

Colorado: Darcy Kuemper was injured in Game 1. Full story — Colorado Avalanche series news.

8-6 is a fantastic game. NHL, take note. We don’t need headshots that would have wowed Don Cherry’s Rock ’em Sock ’em Volume 7. We need hockey. Here are the takeaways and analysis from the glorious Colorado Avalanche Game 1 win.

NHL.com: Perhaps this is one name to remove from the NHL trade block–and I had him tentatively circled as a name to watch if Evgeni Malkin leaves the Penguins–Mark Scheifele is expected to remain with the Winnipeg Jets.

NHL.com: More negative NHL trade talk. The St. Louis Blues want their core to remain together.

Montreal: Kent Hughes would like to know what’s up, but it will be a while longer before Carey Price can give the Montreal Canadiens an answer.

Boston: The Bruins need a second-line center. Heck, maybe a first-liner. David Pastrnak is doing his due diligence and trying to recruit David Krejci back to the Boston Bruins.

Washington: OK, here’s a question you’re going to answer in a much different way… The Pittsburgh Penguins arch rival is hurting. How do the Washington Capitals make up for injured Tom Wilson?

I can’t wait to see these responses below (Keep it between the lines). And…GO!

Detroit: Our boys in Detroit have developed an excellent offseason series: Roll Call. They look at individual players, strengths, weaknesses and determine their future with the team. I love it and will be stealing it. Jakub Vrana roll call–Detroit Red Wings analysis.