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Dan’s Daily: The Penguins Speak, Monster TV Ratings for NHL Playoffs
It was Breakup day for the Pittsburgh Penguins. PHN’s YouTube channel has the goodbye media chats, and we’ll have the deeper stories over the next few days. First, we focused on Bryan Rust, Evgeni Malkin, and Marcus Pettersson’s helmet. The NHL is getting monster TV ratings, Jordan Binnington almost stole Game 1 from the Colorado Avalanche, but the St. Louis Blues couldn’t even get a shot in overtime. The Tampa Bay Lightning taught Florida a lesson, the Battle of Alberta should be a ball, and the Arizona Coyotes college rink deal gets worse…and worse.
And what of those NHL rumors that Kris Letang will wind up in Montreal?
First–you can see the raw videos from Penguins Breakup day on the PHN YouTube channel. Kasperi Kapanen looked like a lost soul, but he lit up when talking about Malkin. Hit the little subscribe button when you watch them. We’ll be doing more videos and chats. PHN YouTube Channel.
Pittsburgh Penguins:
We made all stories on Monday FREE. That won’t be the case in the future. I know everyone had their heart broken (heck, I was looking forward to a week in Boston or even Raleigh and the record revenues PHN was bringing in). Please join us for an ad-free experience at PHN+.
Here are the quotes, jokes, and news from Breakup day. Jason Zucker had both jokes and news. Sidney Crosby got a good laugh, too. Pittsburgh Penguins media chats.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: “Good players sign good contracts.” It doesn’t sound like Malkin will take the huge discount that some hoped, “I’m ready to go away…I’ll be much happier if I stay,” said an obviously stressed but accepting Evgeni Malkin.
It was a similar story for Rust. He knows he outperformed his contract over the last couple of years, but he hinted he may take a team-friendly deal, “I’m not looking to rob anybody.” Bryan Rust is always honest.
And YES, Pettersson knew the helmet rule. Yes, Pettersson knew he slipped in the second half, but I agree he had a pretty good playoff series. “Heat of the moment,” Marcus Pettersson said.
NHL News & National Hockey Now:
Montreal: The hotly rumored spot for Letang is home in Montreal. However, our Marco D’Amico says hard pass. The Montreal Canadiens should pass.
Florida: Game 1, Round Two. Tampa Bay Lightning statement. The Florida Panthers trailed quickly.
NHL.com: MONSTER TV ratings hockey. People are watching the NHL playoffs.
Sportsnet: Bill Guerin wants BOTH Marc-Andre Fleury and Cam Talbot back.
Colorado: Game 1 was about St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington. He nearly stole the game with 51 saves, but Game 1 goes to the Colorado Avalanche.
Calgary: Remember the playoff wars? The Gretzky and Messier Oilers against the Calgary Flames? Calgary ended Edmonton’s Stanley Cup run in 1986 when Edmonton defenseman Steve Smith’s breakout pass hit goalie Grant Fuhr and caromed into the Edmonton net. It’s been 31 years in the making. The Battle of Alberta lives! Edmonton vs. the Calgary Flames.
And lastly–the Arizona Coyotes. Can’t have a center ice logo. And–get this–Party School U, Arizona State, had the gall to include in the contract that they can kick the Coyotes out for bad behavior. Seriously?