Dan’s Daily: Fleury Improves in Gm2, Penguins Reach Deep for Backup Goalie

Kirill “the Thrill” Kaprizov made it rain hats, and Marc-Andre Fleury rebounded with a stellar Game 2 win for the Minnesota Wild. Evgeni Malkin spoke to the media for the first time since the war in Ukraine and admitted life has been tough. The Edmonton Oilers got back in their series against the Kings, Tampa Bay erased their Game 1 blowout loss with the blowout win over Toronto, and the Pittsburgh Penguins had to reach deep into the system for a backup goalie for Game 2.

The Penguins have pretty bad luck with goalies when they face the New York Rangers in the first round, don’t they?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It’s not good news for the players injured in Game 1. The Penguins had to reach deep for a backup goalie. Alex D’Orio spent half the season with the Wheeling Nailers. Injury updates on Rickard Rakell, Jason Zucker, Tristan Jarry, and Casey DeSmith.

Malkin beamed after scoring the game-winner in the 6th period on Tuesday. He got a few laughs and was, for a moment, serious about what life has been like since Russia attacked Ukraine. Watch the interview and get the story– Evgeni Malkin speaks.

I was going to let the presser go without asking the Ukraine question. It’s a crime in Russia to call it a war. Putin cracked down on media who used the wrong words, and a crackdown in Russia is a bit more severe than a Twitter beatdown here. There’s no proper answer to dissent. Like you, I’d like to see him alive and with both legs for next season. Kudos to Seth Rohrbaugh at the Trib for asking about it without cornering Malkin, especially after a game-winner when his mind was probably not focused on such external matters.

Now to hockey…

Game 1 was pretty good, but there are a few things the Penguins must improve. Our new star reporter Dave Molinari went through the things that must improve in Game 2. Pittsburgh Penguins playoffs.

It’s not easy having two reporters in New York City for the week. I think PHN has earned a place among the Pittsburgh journalism outlets. I hope you’ll come along for the ride with PHN+. Get a full-year subscription for just $19.99. Use promo code: DAVE

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NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Minnesota Star Tribune: Marc-Andre Fleury won Game 2. Kaprizov was a beast. Minnesota evened the series with St. Louis, 1-1.

Boston Hockey Now: Carolina is just laying the lumber to the Bruins, even with a third goalie in net. Speed, depth…it’s 2-0. Trouble for the Boston Bruins.

Andrei Svechnikov put Hampus Lindholm on dream street. It was a clean hit, but it was so violent that it snapped Lindholm’s stick. Bruce Cassidy said Lindholm was not doing well. Hampus Lindholm update.

Washington Hockey Now: It’s a game-time decision. Tom Wilson is getting treatment for an injury. He’s questionable for Game 2 vs. Florida. Washington Capitals update.

NHL.com: Edmonton played some defense and shut out the LA Kings to even that series, 1-1.

Colorado Hockey Now: Avs fans are getting the fever. You remember that excitement, yeah? Even as media, I could feel it in 2016. You knew it was going to be a long playoff run. Colorado Avalanche excitement.

TSN: Another 1-1 series. Tampa Bay looked like Tampa Bay, and the Toronto Maple Leafs looked…surprised. Game 2 coverage from Toronto.

Sportsnet: Gary Bettman says the NHL has no interest in expanding the playoffs.

Expand the playoffs? And play into July? Where has this idea been coming from? The NHL needs to come to grips with its logistics and find a way to make the season a lot less tedious, injurious, and exhausting. Players are spent before the playoffs. This year, the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets would have been a play-in series. Ummmm…

An 82-game schedule is plenty of time to figure out the best 16 teams.