Dan’s Daily: Penguins Playoff Road, Big Capitals Changes Possible

It has been the battle that defined the NHL for the past decade. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals are frequent fillers on national TV, and the rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will spawn memories for generations and a few books. While the Penguins are on the verge of another playoff berth, the Capitals will likely miss the playoffs and face significant changes this offseason. Dave Molinari laid out the Penguins’ path to the playoffs and the difficult road of the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders.

We’ll post the Final Word show today. We had some fun. Sometimes the vibe is good, and we start busting on each other, which carries into a good show. We had a good 11 on the Ice with Bourquey on Saturday and a really good Final Word Sunday on WPXI.

If you’re not watching, hopefully, you will. I always try to bring a little something different or unique to the shows just to have some fun with Alby, Jenna, and you.

The Penguins’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 16 points. According to MoneyPuck, the Penguins’ playoff odds are up to 81.7%.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Sports Now)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now Video: The Penguins chat. Start Casey DeSmith? Will the defense get healthy? Here’s what comes next for the Penguins.

PHN+: Dave Molinari laid out the Penguins’ path to the NHL playoffs.

Steelers Now:

Mitch Trubisky is sticking around as the Steelers’ backup QB.

Mike Tomlin does not like the XFL copycat rules changes.

Tomlin also wants a more physical, tough football. Music to my ears — Smash mouth for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Pirates prospects update — will Travis Swaggerty get a chance?

PBN+: Subscribe to one, and get accounts for us all! The blueprint for winning might be with the Pirates‘ spring training neighbor.

Penguins Playoff Chase, NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Florida Hockey Now: The Florida Goldfish? The Panthers need short memories for them to catch the Penguins or Islanders. The Florida Panthers struggle.

Lighthouse Hockey: The Islanders also turned in a pair of awful performances.

The Athletic $: Will the Capitals shed themselves of Peter Laviolette? What about Evgeny Kuznetsov?

Laviolette is a good coach. The Capitals’ roster was decimated, but they haven’t re-signed him, which is odd.