Dan’s Daily: Penguins Sinking, Kapanen Hot with Blues

It is that kind of season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Predictably, the formerly ice-cold Kasperi Kapanen, who wandered through nearly two full seasons with the Penguins before being claimed on waivers in February, is red-hot with the St. Louis Blues. The Penguins have gone ice cold with four straight losses at the worst possible time and are now OUT of the playoff seeds because the Florida Panthers beat the Detroit Red Wings. The NHL will have new jerseys in a couple of years. And Matt Murray won a marathon shootout and is making his case to get the Toronto net in the playoffs.

It’s just a day of twisting the knife, isn’t it?

I write this on a Southwest jet about to take off for Denver. Provided this aircraft doesn’t have an emergency or land ON the Rocky Mountains, PHN will remain the only Pittsburgh media outlet to cover every Penguins practice, skate, and game this season. Not bad for this little engine that could, eh?

Subscribe to PHN+ for the most in-depth analysis, inside the Penguins locker room features, and free Steelers and Pirates content, too!

Also, the big bald bubba chased away the pretty lady who inexplicably chose to sit beside me; he said he had some claim to the seat. She buckled quickly. Or, realized I’m not nearly as good-looking within 20 feet. I’m not so good beyond 20, either. Regardless, bad bubba!

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Sports Now Group)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: And you thought Saturday was rock bottom? The Penguins dominated and still lost to Ottawa 2-1. Here is Dave Molinari’s Penguins recap.

Bryan Rust was incredibly hard on himself following the game, “Don’t care if my arm is falling off, I have to get it out.” Go inside the Penguins’ locker room.

PHN+ The in-depth Penguins report card & analysis.

PHN Video: You can get the raw locker room video and the chat videos before we publish them on the website by subscribing to the PHN YouTube channel. There were some tough and angry questions following the game from PPG, the Penguins Q&A.

Colorado Hockey Now: Want more bad news? The Penguins’ next opponent has won six in a row. The Colorado Avalanche locker room is feeling it.

Steelers Now:

Too many good stories to list them all — Get all of the Steelers’ news, including analysis of the Larry Okunjobi, re-up, Josh Dobbs returning to the AFC North, and the Isaac Samuola contract details. Steeler news.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

The latest demotions included Nick Gonzalez. D’oh! Pittsburgh Pirates spring training.

Travis Swaggerty continues to push for a roster spot. Get the latest Pirates prospects update.

Penguins Playoff Chase, NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Florida Hockey Now: The motor city kitties claimed a win and a playoff spot. The Detroit Red Wings couldn’t stop the sunshine juggernaut Florida Panthers.

Washington Hockey Now: The latest on the Evgeny Kuznetsov injury, John Carlson’s comeback lept forward, and the Capitals are ready to make their last stand. Capitals notebook.

NHL.com: The league announced a 10-year deal. In 2024-25, Fanatics will become the NHL’s official jersey outfitter.

The Arizona Coyotes have already announced plans to wear the traditional Fanatics iron-on logos to save money.

I kid, I kid. Kind of.

TSN: Kasperi Kapanen has four goals in 10 games with St. Louis. He scored a biggie Monday, and St. Louis dinged the Winnipeg Jets’ playoff chances.

In fairness, I believe I, and many of you, fully predicted Kapanen would find success elsewhere but he surely exhausted every chance here.

NHL.com: State your case. Toronto has a goalie controversy. Does Matt Murray or Ilya Samsonov get the net?

Boston Hockey Now: Zdeno Chara will run the Boston Marathon for charity. The big man still has it; 26 miles might be four or five strides? Here’s the full story on the former Boston Bruins stalwart.

Calgary Hockey Now: The Flames had a chance to pull within a point or two of the Winnipeg Jets, pending the outcome of their game in LA. They bombed. The Calgary Flames can’t get it together.

Vegas Hockey Now: Need a goalie? Too bad. Vegas has them all. From Jonathan Quick to Logan Thompson, four goalies will be on their roster in the playoffs. Owen Krepps tries to answer: who will play for the Vegas Golden Knights?

And my favorite quote and favorite coach for last.

Philly Hockey Now: John Tortorella does not mince words. He and Mike Sullivan are two polar opposites regarding the media. Torts unleashed this bomb on Monday regarding the offseason, “There needs to be subtraction.” Wow. Philadephia Flyers news.