Pens Points: Welcome Back, Barn Burners

Good morning one and all,

Groundhog says spring is in the air, meaning welcome back barn burners! Eleven goals! This is the first natural hat trick for El Sid in more than 5 years. [Sportsnet]

Connor McDavid returned from a long injury layoff last night without missing a beat, registered multiple points and scored what surely will be in the running for the goal of the year. [Edmonton Journal]

Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts column speculates on which Winnipeg Jet is more likely to be traded: Ladd or Byfuglien. And many other things of course. [Sportsnet]

The Montreal Canadiens are still sinking, and now it's beginning to resemble a historic collapse. But Therrien is safe, according to Bergevin. [CBS Sports]

Not much to do in Toronto these days but figure out who gets traded where and redesign logos and unis. [ESPN]

Sports Illustrated's power rankings and bold predictions for the second half of the NHL season. Pens just outside of the top ten.

More tools for the statistically minded: introducing one-timer charts, a new way to visualize puck movement. [NHL Special Teams]

Bovada lists the Washington Capitals to 4/1 favorites to win the 2016 Stanley Cup, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks and LA Kings at 15/2, Dallas Stars (11/1) and Tampa Bay Lightning (14/1). [NBC Sports]

Newly retired Dallas Star Rich Peverley has partnered with Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation and American Heart Association to promote heart health in both countries. [Pevs Protects]

Sad news from Russia, where 16-year-old prospect and Metallurg junior club captain Alexander Orekhov died after being struck in the neck with the puck. [THN]