Dan’s Daily: Penguins Magic Number, Fleury Almost Fights

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ magic number looks like light at the end of the tunnel. They control their fate against the pursuers and have two more games against the New York Rangers this week. The Buffalo Sabres kept pace with a dramatic third-period comeback over the Toronto Maple Leafs. TSN wondered if the Capitals or Panthers could catch the Penguins and Islanders. Our first NHL trade rumor for the summer landed, with the Sharks set to resume talks over Erik Karlsson.

And Marc-Andre Fleury almost had to drop the mitt against San Jose’s James Reimer. Fleury asked Reimer to go.

Is this time change screwing with anyone else? The equinoxes always muck up my health and sleep, but the leap forward especially puts me off-kilter. I guess that’s what I get for eating dinner at 8 or 9 p.m. in a city that boards up the restaurants at 8. Now that my body clock is an hour behind my watch, even the grocery stores are closed when I’m ready to leave the house!

Tomorrow, I leave for four days in New York to cover the Penguins’ pair vs. the Rangers at MSG. A few days of pastrami, pizza, and street-cart gyros at midnight should do wonders for my outlook on life … and change the hole I use on my belts.

The trip will cost about $1000 before things like food and tolls. This business isn’t cheap to run! I’d love it if you joined the cause and subscribed to PHN+.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Seven points in four games, including two game-winners, the NHL’s second star of the week was Sidney Crosby.

I thought Dave Molinari hit the target. He also calculated the Penguins’ magic number. Is the recent success legit? Can the Penguins keep it going?

And I compiled a lot of what I’m seeing into a hard-hitting column. From the excellent work to the problems coach Mike Sullivan is still dealing with. Learning to win (again), Jeff Carter, and bad d-pairings. 5 Penguins’ thoughts.

It’s the start of the NCAA tournament! Get your bets in now. Get a $200 bonus — go here are the best sportsbook promos.

Steelers Now:

Day 1 of NFL free agency. The Steelers lost Cam Sutton to Detroit, then signed all-pro CB Patrick Peterson.

Nick Farabaugh analyzes the new situation. Does Peterson replace Sutton in the Steelers’ secondary?

Go to Steelers Now for many more stories and the live blog of NFL free agency.

Penguins Playoff Chase, NHL News & National Hockey Now:

NHL.com: Toronto led by two goals in the third period, but the Buffalo Sabres charged for a 4-3 win.

Buffalo trails the Penguins by seven points.

TSN: Can the Capitals, Senators, or Panthers catch the Penguins for a playoff spot?

Washington Hockey Now: Alex Ovechkin missed practice, but John Carlson is making more progress in his recovery for the Washington Capitals.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders trail the Penguins by two points for the top wild card. J-G Pageau still isn’t practicing, but Lane Lambert juggled his lines at the New York Islanders’ practice.

ESPN: The potential Penguins’ Round One playoff opponent, the Carolina Hurricanes, and Andrei Svechnikov got some bad news. And it might get worse. Svechnikov is out indefinitely with a right knee injury.

Sportsnet: Former Penguins and Canucks center Brandon Sutter is progressing toward a level at which he can resume his NHL career. Long-haul COVID wrecked his career, and he’s still not 100%, but he hopes to be by the summer.

Philly Hockey Now: Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier are trying to come back for the Philly Flyers.

The fun stuff:

Boston Globe: Kevin DuPont reports the San Jose Sharks will return Erik Karlsson to the NHL trade block this summer.

Boston Hockey Now: Tyler Bertuzzi will “savor” the emotional return to Detroit as a member of the Bruins.

And finally, drum roll, please.

San Jose Hockey Now: Things got heated between the Sharks and Wild on Saturday. Yesterday, James Reimer came clean — the two exchanged looks, and Reimer came to the blue line. He almost had to fight Marc-Andre Fleury.

And this. Pretty cool:

Wow really cool moment at Scotiabank Arena.

Natalie Morris’ mic quit early in the US anthem.

Toronto took care of it.

🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9E2ebNoH6m

— Dave McCarthy (@DaveAMcCarthy) March 13, 2023