Dan’s Daily: Tampa Rallies for Dramatic Win, Are the Penguins Toast?

Can these Pittsburgh Penguins still win a Stanley Cup? That was the subject of the Dan vs. Dave Sunday debate. We went through it, nuts and bolts on how they can or can’t return to Cup contender status. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning rallied for a dramatic last-minute win in Game 3. The Colorado Avalanche can complete the sweep in Game 4 tonight and will not face Evander Kane, who was suspended for one game, and Wayne Gretzky’s final Oilers jersey just sold for a ridiculous sum.

Dave and I had some fun with the debate, but we’ll start with the playoffs today.

NHL Playoffs

NHL.com: It looked like the Rangers were going to hang on. Tampa Bay was outplaying them, but NYR led after two. However, New York got a little sloppy, and Shesterkin allowed a goal he could have stopped. Tampa rallied for a last-minute win and a brand new series.

Sportsnet: Evander Kane got a one-game suspension for that cheapie on Nazem Kadri, which knocked Kadri out for the rest of the series.

Kane should sit, but as one commenter noted, there have been a few of those in the playoffs, which is the first suspension. Why weren’t the others given the gate?

Colorado: Darcy Kuemper and Andre Burakovsky were back at practice for the Colorado Avalanche.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I made the following story FREE for everyone today. It was an old-school debate. Point-counter point. Crossfire, without Bob Novak or James Carville. So, Dave Molinari and I ripped off the early 90s Dan vs. Dave ad campaign for our debate. Dan vs. Dave, can these Penguins still win a Stanley Cup? Pittsburgh Penguins debate.

Penguins Trade Talk: This weekend, I got into a subject that could become very important to the Penguins this summer: what to do with P.O Joseph.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Washington: I don’t know about you, but the Capitals’ offseason is probably the second-most interesting, behind only the Penguins. Here are the four factors that will shape the Washington Capitals.

Montreal: It’s the summer, which means Arizona can add dead money. And that’s why the perfect trading partner might be the Montreal Canadiens.

Boston: It might as well be named after him soon. Patrice Bergeron won his fifth Selke but is still pondering his future. Boston Bruins news.

Philly: The NHL combine was this weekend. Not the most exciting time, and until the Pittsburgh Penguins have a top 10 pick, we’re probably not going to spend a weekend in Buffalo (or ever, if we can help it). However, the Flyers have some big choices, and did the combine help them decide on dynamic prospect Matt Savoie? Philadelphia Flyers analysis.

Detroit: Great read here! The coaching search has been extensive, but there’s one Detroit fan favorite who will NOT get a shot. KHL coach of the year, Sergei Fedorov. Here’s why not. Detroit Red Wings coverage.

Vancouver: It’s not an offseason without a little Jim Rutherford pot-stirring. NHL trade chatter, draft ponderances, and wonder are building around the Vancouver Canucks.

Sportsnet: Seriously, who has this kind of scratch just laying around? Wayne Gretzky’s final Oilers jersey just sold for–wait for it–waaaaiiitt for it….$1.45 MILLION.

I need to call that guy about a business investment… He has it to waste!