Pens Points: That’s All, Folks

Here are your Pens Points for this Thursday morning...

The Pittsburgh Penguins last night traveled to Long Island to do battle with the New York Islanders in Game 6 of their first-round series. Staring elimination in the face, the Penguins came out and played like their season depended on it. Unfortunately, they were let down, yet again, thanks to another subpar goaltending performance from Tristan Jarry. [Recap]

Here are seven questions the Penguins must answer as we head into the offseason. [Post-Gazette]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Connor McDavid is the NHL’s best all-around player right now. And that’s coming from an ardent Sidney Crosby fan. The 24-year-old has lived up to his billing as the next “Next One.” But McDavid’s team, the Edmonton Oilers, are wasting his golden years. [FiveThirtyEight]

Speaking of the Oilers, “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, recently stepped down from his post as vice chairman of the copper and blue to join TNT’s new broadcast team when the network begins airing its hockey coverage later this year. [ESPN]

And with the NHL showing its games on a new network in TNT, the league and Turner Sports should be looking for some crossover appeal to engage the casual viewer. It’s why Turner should be looking at its roster of NBA analysts, Charles Barkley in particular, and allowing Barkley’s charismatic and entertaining persona to enter into the world of pucks and fisticuffs. [CNBC]

Some NHL head coaches should take a step back before airing more of their grievances when it comes to the NHL’s shoddy officiating. [Yahoo Sports]

The Carolina Hurricanes are showing everyone that hockey can work, and work very well, in a nontraditional, southern U.S. market. [Raleigh News & Observer]