Dan’s Daily: Penguins Go Big with Win; Other Side of Penguins Trade

The Pittsburgh Penguins turned up the pressure on the Ottawa Senators, and a choppy night became a night that many in Sudbury, Ont. will remember. Sidney Crosby scored a pair of goals, and Evgeni Malkin had a hat trick as the Penguins flexed in front of a national Canadian TV audience. We’ve got the player analysis, including some prospects who showed quite well. Elsewhere in the Daily, in the latest top 100 rankings, NHL.com ranked Crosby outside the top 10. Winnipeg is loving what they’re getting from Brayden Yager. And the fallout in Montreal over Patrik Laine’s injury is taking a worried tone.

I’m on the road to Detroit this morning. The Penguins scheduled a morning skate in Cranberry, and then we’ll recreate the magical travel plans from Saturday and drive to Detroit. Perhaps I’ll fast so that I may properly enjoy the Little Caesar’s buffet in the Red Wings media room. This week is going to be hell for all involved, but I’ll take some Crazy Bread for my first-world troubles, please and thank you.

I’m quite interested in who will play tonight and whether coaches will reward Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke for their NHL-worthy performances Sunday night. The Penguins sent Tanner Howe back to juniors last week, but fellow second-rounder Brunicke is still here. I cannot help but wonder: If the Penguins’ situation were different, would Pickering and/or Brunicke be in line for an NHL roster spot?

Not unrelated, if I get a chance to chat with Ryan Graves this morning, I can finish up my story on him and his camp performance. I do think his spot is in question.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It was just silly bad luck for forward Blake Lizotte. While sitting on the bench at the start of the game, he was hit by an errant puck on the first shift. He left the game and didn’t play a shift; the Penguins update.

Crosby and Malkin did their thing in front of a big audience. It was like someone turned back the clock to 2009. Other players–ones who are fighting for jobs–also made an impact. But who did well, and who hurt their chances? Here’s the Penguins analysis.

Lost in the shuffle was our Q&A. From Erik Karlsson’s projections to Sergei Murashov, the playoffs, and everything in between, we received some meaty questions. Here is the latest Penguins Q&A.

Steelers Now: The Pixburg Stillers lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Some shoddy quarterback play in the first half, followed by mistakes at the end (and some weird coaching decisions), kept the Steelers in the hole. After the game, Broderick Jones was on X, arguing and pushing back on fans. Yeah, umm? Not the best Steelers news.

And here are Derrick Bell’s Dudes & Duds for the Steelers’ loss.

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NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

NHL.com: The countdown to the top 50 players. The NHL folks have been a little less generous with the Penguins, especially Crosby, than have the Canadian rankings. In the latest NHL countdown, Crosby is outside the league’s top 10.

I supposed I’m a little biased. Did you see the throngs of people chanting Crosby’s name Sunday morning while they waited for him to come down the red carpet after the morning skate? It doesn’t really matter if others are better right now. I marvel at his grace in dealing with those situations.

Sportsnet: The NHL rumor roundup, from Drew Doughty to Igor Shesterkin’s new contract (Where’s the money Lebowski?). If you’ve missed the behind-the-curtain chatter this weekend, here’s the catch-up.

Philly Hockey Now: It’s almost officially become a thing. Matvei Michkov-mania. He was again electric in a preseason game, and the buzz is capturing the team and city. “He wants to score goals.” The latest on the new Philadelphia Flyers phenom.

TSN Video: The “Uh-oh” factor in Montreal just hit about 9.5. If Patrik Laine is out long-term, what becomes of the up-and-coming Montreal Canadiens?

NJHN+: A rookie defenseman makes the team. Seamus Casey, come on down. The exciting young defenseman surprised the organization by being ready a year or two sooner than expected. New coach Sheldon Keefe rewarded his new star pupil, then gave him a real confidence boost before installing him on the New Jersey Devils blue line.

Boston Hockey Now: The Penguins aren’t the only team where it’s tougher for a rookie to break through. After a couple of years of waiting, this year was supposed to be time, but the Bruins cut Fabian Lysell again.

Sportsnet: The Winnipeg Jets sent Brayden Yager back to Moose Jaw on Sunday evening, but not before the kid made a very positive impression on teammates and the fanbase.