Dan’s Daily: Penguins Old Problems; Flyers Trade Rumors; Scary Injury in StL

NEW YORK — We’ll stay on Long Island another day as the Pittsburgh Penguins practice later today at UBS Arena. It was another disappointing night for the Penguins, who apparently are much better in tight games than games in which they’ve earned a multi-goal lead, and they blew a 3-1 lead in a shootout loss to the New York Islanders. Only two outlets made the trip to the game, and we’re one of them. We’ve got full coverage and analysis. Elsewhere in the Daily, Dylan Holloway suffered a scary injury in St. Louis and was rushed to the hospital. The Philadelphia Flyers are asking a high price on the NHL trade market for Rasmus Ristolainen and Nathan MacKinnon stacked five apples Tuesday night.

I know you’re probably exhausted today. I surely am. Deep breath, everyone.

We’re going to do a quickie Daily today because I’ve got a meeting in the city, must get to practice, and then get on a plane shortly afterward, but I have a humdinger of a Penguins column that I also need to write. I should have written it last night, but I love election coverage. Every year, I’m a total coverage junkie, no matter who is winning. In fact, I love the exit polls and the subsequent data even more. The pollsters got the demographics wrong, but somehow, the numbers came out exactly right, and that’s a long story for another day.

I’m sure some of you are elated, while others are absolutely raw. Just remember, your family, friends, and neighbors aren’t idiots. They may see things differently, but they’re far more important than Washington. That’s Dan’s .02 for the day.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Seriously, what is it with the Penguins and leads? They lose their bearings, and it’s over. You can set the Rolex you bought from a street vendor in Queens by it. They had it, and they didn’t. Here’s the Penguins recap.

I did a full report card on the messy game from the arena. Coach Mike Sullivan liked their performance much more so than I did in the first two periods, but there was no arguing the Penguins tanked in the third. We’re talking about an inexplicable flatline again and another whiff in a big game. Here’s the full report card and Penguins analysis.

If you’d like to reward us for being one of two outlets here–I’d love to have you join this party. Independent media is under assault by the tech giant, but we’re standing firm. Use coupon code Dan10 to save $10 and get an ad-free experience while still supporting PHN. Join PHN+ here.

Steelers Now: The NFL trade deadline was yesterday (geez, poorly timed, eh?). The Steelers got their coveted WR. Here’s the full analysis of the big-time Steelers trade.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Fortunately, it wasn’t a skate blade, but a neck injury is serious. Referees sent teams to the locker room with 1:11 left in the first period, and Dylan Holloway was rushed to the hospital after a wrist shot hit him in the neck. Full story.

Philly Hockey Now: Rasmus Ristolainen. Is he worth a first-round pick?! That’s the scuttlebutt as the Flyers freefall to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but “Risto” is playing a big game. Jon Bailey has the NHL trade chatter.

TSN: The GM meetings are coming up. Connor Hellebuyck is speaking out about the confusion surrounding goaltender interference. The TSN Insiders tackled the big issues.

Colorado Hockey Now: Nathan MacKinnon went off, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 6-3. MacKinnon got his Tim’s trading cards and piled on five assists. He also tied a Wayne Gretzky record by extending his scoring streak to 13 games–here’s the full Colorado Avalanche story.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Oh sure, let the Devils have all of the fun on the NHL trade block. They got their goalie over the summer, now a big-bodied forward? James Nichols and the latest New Jersey Devils chatter.