Blackhawks Daily: The Penguins Are Heating Up At the Right Time

Another day, another playoff chase update. The Chicago Blackhawks couldn’t hold off the New York Islanders Tuesday night. The 2-1 Islanders victory earned them a crucial two points while they’re still on the outside looking in but getting closer to prime Wild Card position.

But the Islanders have another Metropolitan Division opponent chasing down that same playoff spot in the Pittsburgh Penguins. This Penguins team was dead a few weeks ago but their Tuesday night win over the New Jersey Devils was their fifth in a row. 

It is very hard to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins when both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each get a goal. It’s next to impossible when they each score twice which is precisely what happened Tuesday night in Newark. 

Now, Pittsburgh is just three points out of a playoff spot. With the championship pedigree that still exists in their locker room, nobody should doubt their ability to stay alive in this race until the very end. 

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Connor Bedard and Petr Mrazek were very good in the Blackhawks’ loss to the Islanders on Tuesday night.
• Bedard keeps rising up the Blackhawks rookie rankings with another assist in the Blackhawks losing effort
• For the third time this season, Connor Bedard was named as the NHL’s Rookie of the Month. Connor McDavid also earned this honor three times during his rookie campaign.
• If Trevor Zegras is dangled as a potential trade piece this off-season, should the Blackhawks consider making a call?

Hockey Now Playoff Focus

• Philly Hockey Now: If the Philadelphia Flyers end up missing the playoffs, John Tortorella also deserves some blame for it.
• Detroit Hockey Now: The Detroit Red Wings need some help, but there’s definitely a chance for them to still sew up a spot in the playoffs.
• San Jose Hockey Now: Although the San Jose Sharks will fail to make the playoffs again, they will likely end with the best odds of landing Macklin Celebrini in the 2024 NHL Draft.
• Florida Hockey Now: The Florida Panthers will be in the postseason but they are in danger of limping into the big dance.