Dan’s Daily: Traded Penguins Pick Breaks Out, Playoff Chances

The Pittsburgh Penguins will cut to the quick Saturday afternoon in once-decimated Detroit. Their heart will slingshot their playoff hopes forward or straight to the trash bin. There isn’t an in-between with this team. Dave Molinari will have full coverage from Detroit. You can catch 11 on the Ice with Phil Bourque and me tonight at 7:30 p.m. on WPXI.

In the Daily, the Penguins’ playoff chances and best chances to get the help they need. A traded Penguins pick is earning rave reviews in his rookie year. The Calgary Flames are in the same position as the Penguins; their approach is to “leave it all out there.” Jack Edwards said something controversial, and the ESPN power rankings had just one word for all 32 teams’ seasons, including the Penguins.

For PHN+ subscribers, you probably noticed no more ads! We corrected the problem and finished the tests. I’d love it if you could, share the PHN+ stories and help us build the community. Please and thank yoU!

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Sports Now Group)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins are down to a 42% chance. Here are the best chances for the Penguins’ playoff hopes.

Alex Nylander was recalled around 2 p.m., then demoted just before game time Thursday, and recalled Friday. Alex Nylander recalled (yes, again).

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

The Pirates’ home opener was fireworks. 13-9, the Pirates win!

There are four PBN+ stories, including John Perrotto’s story — Andrew McCutchen is here for more than sentiment.

Another story: Bryan Reynolds is worth every damned penny (eventually).

Steelers Now:

Should the Steelers spend a late-rounder on another QB? Steelers Draft.

Updated Steelers salary cap situation.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

TSN: The Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets are tied at 89 points, but Winnipeg has one game in hand. Calgary has a philosophy, “Leave it all out there.”

Boston Hockey Now: Jack Edwards poured some gas on the Bruins’ rivalry with the Maple Leafs when he said refs favor Toronto. Shocked the Boston Bruins announcer would say such things?

Florida Hockey Now: It’s not Sergei Bobrovsky or Spencer Knight in net. It’s journeyman Alex Lyon.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Penguins visit the Red Wings today. The Red Wings tied the Dead Wings mark, but that’s where the Detroit Red Wings comparison ends.

Vegas Hockey Now: Back in the playoffs! Owen Krepps looked at which matchups work for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Colorado Hockey Now: Mikko Rantanen scored 50 goals. Evan Rawal recounted the top five Rantanen goals this season.

ESPN: Power rankings with just one word.

NBC Sports: And just to tease you a little bit. The Penguins dealt a couple of picks to the Arizona Coyotes at the 2019 NHL Draft to move into the third round to select Nathan Legare. With the fourth-rounder the Penguins gave up, Arizona selected Mattias Maccelli, who has a .75 points per game season.

It’s not that Maccelli hit and Legare isn’t close, it’s that the Penguins haven’t hit on any picks (and kept the player) in years.