Dan’s Daily: Marchand Trolls Trocheck on Social Media, Flyers Free Fall

Brad Marchand doesn’t just get under opponents’ skin on the ice, he can do it off the ice, too. On Tuesday, he antagonized Pittsburgh-native Vincent Trocheck on social media. The Boston Bruins retired Willie O’Ree’s number and honored him with a touching ceremony on the anniversary of breaking the color barrier in the NHL. We took a look at how the Pittsburgh Penguins won without their skill game, the NHL made its first move to reduce COVID testing, and could the Washington Capitals go after an old friend on the NHL trade market.

Also, the Philadelphia Flyers might be crazy about Elvis but are, in the words of Tom Petty, free fallin’.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The off-day blog. The Penguins are almost guaranteed a playoff berth. However, when the pretty game isn’t working, when the high-flying speed and skill game are not there, a team has to find other ways to score. Can the Pittsburgh Penguins score ugly goals?

Jake Guentzel is headed to the 2022 NHL All-Star Game.

Some Penguins players, such as Kris Letang subtly hinted at it. Other players around the league have said it boldly. And the NHL listened. Beginning after Jan.  31, the NHL will keep the current COVID protocols, but not test asymptomatic players. 

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

The Athletic: The Capitals need a goalie. They’re not getting good enough netminding and the Athletic laid out the three best options. One of which was Marc-Andre Fleury. Another was former Capitals goalie Braden Holtby.

Boston: It was the anniversary of Willie O’Ree breaking the color barrier. Before the game and ceremonies, the Boston Bruins presented him with a fedora.

On Tuesday night, the Metro Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes chased Tuukka Rask and smoked the Bruins.

Awful Announcing: I’m a little iffy on this one. Hall of Fame reporter Jim Matheson asked a fair question of the frustrated Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl, but the player got dismissive, then the writer got aggressive, then the player got argumentative. As long as you’re not involved, it’s fun stuff. 

NBCsports: “You calling me a rat?” A reporter asked Vincent Trocheck if his game compared to Brad Marchand. So, Marchand fired back on social, “that’s like comparing a Lambo to a Prius…” Ouch. 

Vegas: Near the halfway point, Owen Krepps dropped the top five positive surprises for the Golden Knights. And then, Krepps poked at them, with the top five negative surprises for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Metro Division:

Philly: It’s getting ugly. Though it went to a nine-round shootout with the Islanders, that’s nine straight losses for the Philadelphia Flyers.

NYI: Our Stefen Rosner called it a “savage shootout.” The flip side of the Flyers’ loss is the New York Islanders win.

Washington: The Capitals have had a bad run in overtime. On Tuesday, the Capitals leapfrogged the Penguins back into third place. Tom Wilson helped a bit and the Washington Capitals beat the Jets in OT.

And not hockey, but a show I stumbled across on Amazon. If you’re a sardonic misanthrope or enjoy those of us who are, I recommend this beast of a show. Peter Farrelly of Farrelly Brothers fame and Bobby Mort from the Colbert Report wrote it. Loudermilk supersedes House. You’re welcome.