Dan’s Daily: Penguins Pull it Together, Playoff Scenarios

The Pittsburgh Penguins had just four shots on goal in the first 29 minutes of their win over the Nashville Predators but peppered backup goalie David Rittich with 26 shots over the remainder of the game. They pulled it together when a fifth straight defeat loomed like approaching storm clouds and, in the process, helped the Vegas Golden Knights just a wee bit. If they lost, it would have been ugly today. The Penguins also stayed far enough ahead of the Washington Capitals in the Metro Division.

Side note, you can stop predicting the worst. It’s been done. It seems every single person wants to claim they predicted the Penguins would lose in the first round. Yes, we get it. It’s a likely scenario. The odds are in your favor, and increasingly so. What do you get for being right? I’m also going to predict the weather will warm up by the end of April. The Avengers will win by the end of the movie. I’ll see Uber drivers wearing masks in the car by themselves, and cauliflower rice is a bitter-tasting awful substitute for anything.

See, I’m right! It doesn’t make anyone smarter, and it doesn’t seem like much fun to be a fan with a dark cloud hanging over your head. What are you, Pirates fans? Our comments section has recently been just this side of insufferable.

PHN+: I’ve been getting into the meaty aspects of the Penguins game–this report card is no exception, including a section on how Colorado, New York, and Nashville attacked the Penguins. It’s worth the subscription, and we appreciate your support. Pittsburgh Penguins report card.

Sidney Crosby 1400 points.

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals aren’t making it easy on the Penguins. They rolled the Bruins on Sunday. I’d recommend keeping up with the Washington Capitals.

Also, folks in Washington really wanted Sidney Crosby to be punished for popping Nic Dowd, but the NHL plays on. Capitals news.

Playoff Scenarios: The Pittsburgh Penguins are four points ahead of Washington, which has two games in hand, so that’s a slight edge for the Penguins. The Penguins are also one point behind the Bruins, and two behind the Tampa Bay Lightning–both have two games in hand. Should the Penguins fall to the wild-card spot, one of those teams will likely be the top wild-card, pushing the Penguins to the second spot and a date with the Florida Panthers, who have 108 points, six ahead of Carolina.

Latest NHL standings.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

NY Post: Is Auston Matthews the greatest American-born player? Not yet, but he will be, writes Larry Brooks.

Montreal: Some good drama in Montreal. Jake Allen has had a season from hell, but his latest injury could open the door for the Canadiens to get Carey Price back in the lineup. Montreal Canadiens wrap.

Philly: National champion. NHL contract. The Flyers quickly signed prospect intriguing prospect Bobby Brink. He’s small, but he has offensive skills and speed. Philadelphia Flyers news.

NYI: Barry Trotz lost his cool this weekend. The St. Louis Blues hammered the Islanders 6-1, but the fourth goal set off Trotz. He began banging his stick on the boards, and when the officials didn’t respond, so…he escalated. New York Islanders notes.

Florida: I’m unclear how this works in the long term. The Florida Panthers have Sergei Bobrovsky in net. He makes a lot of money. They also have stud prospect Spencer Knight, who could probably be a starter…now. Knight was brilliant this weekend. Florida Panthers win.

Detroit: The Red Wings have another Swedish prospect developing. He’s lighting up the Swedish playoffs. Detroit Red Wings prospects.

Colorado: Denver won the National Championship, and Terry Frei noted something that I wasn’t aware of–players are improving their college and draft stock by avoiding major junior hockey for a year, sometimes two. Huh. The Avs are reaping the benefits. Colorado Avalanche insights.

San Jose: Can Nick Bonino, Bonino, Booooniiiinooooooo again help the San Jose Sharks next year?

Vegas: Updated NHL playoff scenarios for the Vegas Golden Knights.