Dan’s Daily: Ovechkin Calls Wilson Suspension a Joke; Penguins News

In the final installment of the latest Washington Capitals Tom Wilson saga, we have the exciting conclusion to Wilson’s cheap shot on Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo. Alex Ovechkin lambasted the decision to suspend Wilson. The Pittsburgh Penguins kept pace in the East Division playoff race with a structured win. And on the NHL trade market, we have additional teams interested in Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel.

Ovechkin is having a love-hate relationship with the NHL this season. Remember that in the first week of the season, the NHL placed him into the COVID protocol because he and a few teammates gathered in one of their Pittsburgh hotel rooms. His wife subsequently used Instagram to express her dismay.

Sportsnet: Tom Wilson will not appeal his seven-game suspension. Ovechkin torched the decision as a “joke.”

Boston Hockey Now: If you’re wondering, Brandon Carlo is out of the hospital and feeling better.

That should be a headline, right?

PHN+: Our weekly “Off the Record” was all about NHL trade talk. Our investigative work found two more teams interested in Jack Eichel, and the whispers are increasing around Sam Bennett again. Read the “Off the Record” with NHL trade chatter here. 

To the Pittsburgh Penguins…

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: 

*The Penguins beat the New York Rangers 5-1. Here’s the full Penguins story. 

*WATCH: The Penguins scored three goals in 61 seconds. Here are the highlights, including Crosby’s head-shaker. 

PHN+: The full Penguins report card with tactical analysis. *

*And, We isolated the potential moment Jared McCann may have been injured in the second period. 

Highlights:

Remember Zac Rinaldo? He’s back in the NHL. He and Austin Watson had a pretty good scrap. 

Pekka Rinne and Jake Oettinger made ridiculous saves in the shootout. 

East Division / Penguins Playoff Watch

The good news: The Boston Bruins lost to New Jersey, and Philadelphia lost to Washington. The bad news: Washington beat Philadelphia, and the New York Islanders won their fifth in a row.

Hopefully, we’ll be adding live standings to the website very soon.

Boston: New Jersey shutout Boston, 1-0?! It was the first game with fans in Boston, too.

Philly: The Flyers lost their first game in front of fans, too. Here’s the game in GIFs. 

Flyers fans also gave Oskar Lindblom a raucous ovation; Since beating cancer during the pandemic, it was Lindblom’s first game in front of fans. 

NYI: Geez, New York, would ya lose? The Islanders continue to feast on the cupcake Buffalo Sabres. 

Monday Morning Standings: 

1. NYI: 34 Points, 25gp

2. WSH: 32 points, 24gp

3. BOS: 29 points, 22gp

4. PIT: 29 points, 24gp

5. PHI: 27 points, 22gp

Rest of National Hockey Now:

Vegas: Marc-Andre Fleury won’t forget the San Jose Sharks coming back to win that infamous playoff series two years ago. Vegas beat San Jose again Sunday. 

San Jose: Vegas and the Sharks are a study in contrast. 

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche have had their confidence shaken. The Avs are starting to rebuild it. 

Florida: Keith Yandle played in game No. 1000, but Carolina grabbed two points.