Pens Points: The Clash in Nash

Good day, one and all. The Penguins and Predators are getting ready for Game 3, starting just after 8 PM (Eastern) tonight on NBCSN. Here's what's going on in the hockey world to hold you over until then:

Carl Hagelin and Ian Cole talk about their playoff beards and flow, and as expected it's pretty great. [GQ]

Matt Murray's stone cold demeanor has transferred to the team in front of him. [Post-Gazette]

The Pens are looking to take their game to a higher level while on the road [PG]

If needed, Carter Rowney is ready, willing and gable to fill in as a center. [PG]

The Cup still hangs in the balance as the series shifts to Nashville. [Tribune Review]

Sidney Crosby will be looking to improve his faceoff game to help the team. [Trib]

Carl Hagelin has been frustrated to be a healthy scratch. [Trib]

Chris Kunitz recently started using a new stick the past few series, and hey, whatever works works. [NHL.com]

Anyone seen this year's 'All Access' show on Showtime? I've been saving to binge in the summer, wonder if they're any good this time around? Episode 3 is out. [NHL.com]

Preds coach Peter Laviolette won't name a starter outloud for Game 3, though he has told the team. FWIW, Pekka Rinne was still practicing in the usual "starter's net" for practices. [Sportsnet]

"Goaltending In This Cup Final Has Been A Lopsided Affair"...Uhhhh, ya think? [On the Forecheck]

A preview of Juuse Saros the backup goalie who might just be the starter. [TSN]

And from around the league:

The Stars want Valeri Nichushkin back from the KHL. Now the question will be does he want to return to Dallas? [Pro Hockey Talk]

The Ducks have given Randy Carlisle a contract extension. [TSN]

But in Washington Barry Trotz is likely to open the season as a lame duck, which surely will seem like a way to have the team invested in him, right? [TSN]

Sounds like Jordan Eberle is the next 1st round pick that could be traded by the Oilers.He's got two more seasons left at a $6.0 cap hit, so probably not a fit for the Penguins, but it could help a rival team in the East. [Twitter]

Insiders think that Matt Duchene will get traded this summer, too. [TSN - video]

The search for the new Islanders arena continues. [Lighthouse Hockey]

How much is it going to cost Montreal to extend Alex Galchenyuk? [Eyes on the Prize]