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Penguins Wrap: Crosby Lauded in Philly, Great Malkin Story from Mike Rupp

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Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby

Friday was a Pittsburgh Penguins off day, but they still dominated the softer hockey news and the analysis on the heels of their 10th straight win. As we watch the Canadian teams go through more postponements because of reduced capacity attendance across Canada, the Penguins were getting more good pub.

Which is where I should have spent an off day.

Our friend Sam Carchidi, recently ex of the Philadelphia Inquirer and the best beat in Philly, went viral on Thursday night and it went to the moon on Friday. Sidney Crosby being…Sidney Crosby before the Penguins faced the Philadelphia Flyers. First, the Tweet:

 

According to the ESPN broadcast, Brian Page is improving in his recovery and his paralysis has decreased. He was initially paralyzed from the chest down and is continuing therapy. Page is in a wheelchair.

As our colleague Shelly Anderson put it, “Crosby does this kind of thing more than we’ll ever know.”

Though we’re not sure Sam calling Sidney Crosby classy to the Philadelphia audience was a good career move.

UPDATE: You can visit Brian Page’s Go-Fund me page here.

Bryan Rust:

Rust, 29, is on fire. His start to 2022 has been unlike any player in the salary cap era and has put him in company with the greatest players of all time. Since returning from his second lower-body injury, Rust has played in three games, Jan. 2, 5, and 6.

Rust has seven goals and three straight multi-goal games. Not bad, eh? Overall, he has 11 points (7-4-11) in the three games in 2022.

His outburst tied him for the third-best three-game start to a year in NHL history. He’s tied with the 1982 vintage of Wayne Gretzky, who also had 11 points. He trails 1997 Mario Lemieux, who had 12, and 1984 Wayne Gretzky who had 15 points in the first three games that season.

And yes, Lemieux and Gretzky were that good, and that much better than the rest of the planet. For those who didn’t see, your eyes wouldn’t believe. And for those who did, our words can’t describe.

“He’s playing the game the right way. And when he does, he’s getting good looks and he’s been able to finish on them, you know,” head coach Mike Sullivan said on Thursday night.

News Note: Radim Zohorna was re-assigned to the WBS Penguins on Friday, and Louis Domingue was assigned to the taxi squad.

Gee, the Penguins cleared two roster spots on Friday. What could they be for? See next story…

Evgeni Malkin

Did you ever hear the story about Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar redlining a Porche down the runway? Me neither. Mike Rupp had some fun on the That’s Hockey Podcast. (I like good podcasts. There are very few of them, unfortunately. It’s not a profession if you can buy a “kit” at Best Buy for $99 and go to “work.”)

Malkin and Gonchar held up the team plane and found out what Malkin’s Porche could do with enough real estate. Great mentoring, Sarge!

 

For what it’s worth, my father’s 1993 V6 Dodge Daytona could hit 135. It was electric blue. Don’t ask, don’t tell.

A Must Win: Best Steelers Bets & Preview vs. Ravens, Barstool Promo Code

Team USA:

Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman David Warsofsky is a front runner for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics. Warsofsky is only 31, though it seems like he’s been playing for 20 years. He’s currently playing in the mediocre DEL, which is the German hockey league. If you don’t recognize most of the names on the Team USA Invite list, you’re not alone.

Of course, Ken Agostino would be the second player involved in the Penguins trade for Jarome Iginla to make an Olympic team.

 

And, your fellow PHN subscriber…

Big Pittsburgh Penguins fan, PHN subscriber (and smart person), former Congresswoman Melissa Hart made it official. She’s running for governor.

Melissa Hart, Governor