Pens Points: Washington Game Day

The Pens are in DC again, where they'll have another go at the Capitals tonight. Here is the game preview. [NHL.com]

Most importantly, the quest tonight will be for points, not retribution for Ovechkin's slash on Letang that by sheer dumb luck didn't result in a serious injury to the league's premier blueliner. [Penguins.com]

Patrick Kane wasn't so lucky. Two days after checking Sidney Crosby in the face, Alex Petrovic boarded Kane, causing an injury that is feared to keep him out for 6-10 weeks or even more. No hearing for Petrovic. [Chicago Tribune]

I feel awful for Kane. There could be some silver lining for the Blackhawks here, though. Kane's placement on LTIR could open up some space for the cap-strapped Hawks. Come playoff time, Kane could be back. [ESPN]

Here is a really nice feature about Nick Spaling adjusting to life in Pittsburgh. [Penguins.com]

Every time we play the Capitals, seems like this guy makes us pay for every little mistake. Here is a story about Eric Fehr's long, strange journey. [Japers' Rink]

The Minnesota Wild acquired winger Sean Bergenheim and a 7th-round pick from the Florida Panthers for a 2016 3rd-round pick. [Hockey Wilderness]

We lost out on Bergenheim but Joffrey Lupul could be ours. Rumors have the Pens interested in Toronto's eloquent, elegant winger. I'd much rather hang on to Steve Downie, honestly. [Hockey Buzz]

The Islanders are rolling and taking care of business in parallel. They lock up Nick Leddy with a 7-year, $38.5M extension. [Lighthouse Hockey]

The LA Kings re-sign Jordan Nolan to a 3-year deal worth $950K per season. [Jewels from the Crown]

The Montreal Canadiens traded Jiri Sekac to Anaheim for Devante Smith-Pelly. Habs fans are not excited about the trade, though Sekac just wasn't cutting it for Therrien. Too sofff I guess. [Habs Eyes on the Prize]

Perhaps a new start away from the pressures and craziness of a rabid hockey town, Jiri Sekac will get to flourish with Anaheim. Ducks fans are excited about the possibilities. [Anaheim Calling]

With Ryan Miller out 4-6 weeks, Vancouver's playoff push now depends on Eddie Lack, who will be backed up by Jacob Markstrom and his .932 SV%. [Hockey Central]

Is James van Riemsdyk an elite player? Leafs interim head coach Peter Horachek thinks he can be if he pushes himself. He's the one player from Toronto I wouldn't mind giving up real assets to acquire. [Sportsnet]

There is no doubt whatsoever if this guy is elite. His head coach Mike Babcock thinks Pavel Datsyuk is the best two-way player in the game, and it's hard to argue with that assessment. [Detroit Free Press]

Updated NHL power rankings reflect the annual surge of the LA Kings (who shut out the Red Wings last night) in the last quarter of the season. [CBS Sports]

For the end, let's revisit 5 most memorable trade deadline deals in the salary cap era. [The Score]