Dan’s Daily: Projecting the Penguins, Rangers ‘Knock Out’ Carolina in 7

One day, perhaps the spirit of the NHL rules and the letter of the law will come together and protect players from predators instead of paying homage to an old rock-em-sock-em worldview that doesn’t account for the seriousness of head injuries. New York Rangers d-man Jacob Trouba put another notch on his belt when he knocked Seth Jarvis out of Game 7. Also in the Daily, Russians are starring in the NHL playoffs even as the Ukrainian war rages on the ground and at the U.N., and we projected the coming Pittsburgh Penguins summer.

Greetings from Coudersport, PA. On Monday afternoon when I read about the meteor shower, I tossed some socks and a t-shirt in my briefcase and was out the door. I raced to the premier stargazing spot on the East Coast–Cherry Springs State Park. There wasn’t much of a shower, if at all, but I waited it out until about 1:30 a.m. The view was spectacular. I’ve never before seen the cosmic clouds or been able to find the dippers.

I posted a couple of pictures on Twitter. iPhone pics don’t do it justice. If you need a quick getaway, this is highly recommended. There’s also a cute little ice cream place in downtown Coudersport and the Eliot Ness museum.

I don’t think ever seen the galaxy so close. Camera doesn’t do it justice. pic.twitter.com/wiwnS4c7ti

— Dan Kingerski 🇺🇦 (@TheDanKingerski) May 31, 2022

Now, let’s get to the hockey…

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Projecting the Penguins summer. Who stays. Who goes. And who could arrive? Pittsburgh Penguins predictions.

Later this AM, Dave Molinari will look at the backup goalie position. Cmon back now, ya hear?

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: Rangers Win Game 7, convincingly, 6-2. However, Trouba didn’t waste much time putting another head on his wall when he knocked out Seth Jarvis. Game story and the next hit.

Legal hit by the rulebook. But the rulebook needs to be rewritten. Once again, Trouba managed to make contact with a player’s head…Perhaps the league might want to adjust its rulebook. Then again, most fans are tuning in to see Trouba, right?

Sportsnet: Wimbledon and F1 banned Russian athletes. The NHL will not. Several Russians will start in the Conference Finals, despite not truly being able to speak about the situation.

Colorado: Our colleagues from CHN are in Edmonton for Game 1 of the WCF. And now, Joe Sakic has come full circle for the Colorado Avalanche.

Montreal Hockey Now: Montreal’s house cleaning may include Joel Armia. What will he fetch on the NHL trade market?

Washington: What about RFA goalies Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek? What to do for the Washington Capitals.

TSN: Was Frederick Andersen healthy enough to play in Game 7? This is quite the contrast to Tristan Jarry, who went to the ice with an injured foot. Jeff O’Neill ripped Andersen, and no one defended the goalie, “It’s no secret…It’s bizarre.” TSN video.