Patric Hornqvist had to test it just to make sure.
There were a pair of black circular objects pinballing between skates early in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final after a camera operator dropped a lens on the ice.
Despite cries, the fumbled equipment didn't earn the Penguins a whistle and instead was scooped up after they exited the defensive zone.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins will indeed dress their hottest goal-scorer in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
After being forced to exit Pittsburgh's icebreaking win over the San Jose Sharks on Monday following an illegal check to the head from Patrick Marleau, Bryan Rust will return to regular duty in Game 2.
The troops are ready for battle (including speedy, goal-scoring, rookie-machine Bryan Rust). pic.twitter.com/pOcLYxMbOP
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 1, 2016
Rust is riding a three-game scoring streak, which includes both goals in the Penguins' 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7, and their first of the Cup final.
Marleau avoided supplemental discipline for delivering the blow.
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Roman Polak knows one of his teammates isn't quite like the others.
"Everybody is the opposite of Brent Burns," the Sharks defenseman said when asked about how his fellow blue-liner's personality compares to that of San Jose rearguard Marc-Edouard Vlasic, according to Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"He's one of a kind," Polak added. "I don't see any other guy like him. I think I'm the opposite of him. I'm crazy but in a different way though. He's just a different level. It's just too far to reach."
Between Burns' facial hair, his choice of wardrobe, and his collection of exotic pets, there's no disputing Polak's assessment.
The Pittsburgh Penguins host Burns and the Sharks in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night.
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It's arguably the least sexy deadline day. Take it away, Elliotte Friedman:
Today is the deadline for teams to declare their intentions with compensatory draft picks for coach/executive hirings...
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 1, 2016
According to Friedman, the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hired head coach John Tortorella from the Vancouver Canucks, are holding on to their 2016 second-round draft pick. Columbus has another two years to fork over a second-rounder.
Friedman also chimes in on the Edmonton Oilers, who owe the Boston Bruins a second-round selection for the hiring of general manager Peter Chiarelli.
Told "very unlikely" BOS gets EDM 2nd-rounder for Peter Chiarelli, meaning the Bruins would get the Oilers' second-rounder in 2017...
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 1, 2016
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The Toronto Maple Leafs want to ensure the 2016 draft is their best yet.
Despite owing third-round picks to the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils as compensation for hiring head coach Mike Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello, the Maple Leafs will hold on to their 2016 third-round draft pick, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and General Fanager.
Wednesday was the deadline for Toronto to decide the fate of the 2016 pick, and their decision ensures the Red Wings will receive the Maple Leafs' 2017 third-round pick, while the Devils will receive Toronto's 2018 third-round pick.
The Maple Leafs have 12 picks in the coming draft, including the first overall selection.
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Nick Bonino is becoming a household name. His surname in particular, actually.
The Pittsburgh Penguins forward is not only having the playoffs of his life, he's become a social media star thanks to Hockey Night in Punjabi's incredible calls of his goals, punctuated by repeated yells of "Bonino! Bonino! Bonino! Bonino!"
Here's the call from Monday's Game 1 of the Cup Final, if you (somehow) missed it:
*Blesses your timeline* #BONINOBONINOBONINO@IceSinghHNIC @RandipJanda @HarpPandher @BhupinderHundal pic.twitter.com/07TXfKje21
— Hockey Night Punjabi (@HkyNightPunjabi) May 31, 2016
The Penguins have heard the calls and taken notice. In fact, they're shouting "Bonino! Bonino! Bonino! Bonino!" in their dressing room, writes Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
"We think they're great," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "We threw them on the game review for our guys to listen to. They got a kick out of it. It's entertaining, that's for sure. I hope we hear a few more of those."
Us too, coach.
"You'd be amazed at how often it gets called in this locker room," said defenseman Ben Lovejoy.
"I think it's awesome," added Olli Maatta. "It's even funnier because (Bonino) only scores big goals. That's when they get really fired up."
Harnarayan Singh is the "they" Maatta is referring to, and his calls have taken on a life of their own in Canada and the U.S. They're over the top, they're fun, they're in Punjabi, and they're bringing people together. Singh was on NPR recently to talk about how his calls have gone far beyond the Punjabi community.
Bonino, of course, is enjoying the spotlight. He's enjoying all of it - the goals, the calls, and the wins. Two of his four goals this spring have been game-winners - the first in overtime in the second round, and the second the margin of victory in Game 1.
"I told my family they should get the (call)" and make it their ringtone, Bonino said. "Then they know I'm calling."
A brilliant idea. Almost as good as the call. Say it loud, say it proud, and say it fast: "Bonino! Bonino! Bonino! Bonino!"
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There appears to be two assistant coaching jobs up for grabs in St. Louis.
Kirk Muller has informed the Blues that he will not be returning, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The news comes a day after the team announced a one-year extension with head coach Ken Hitchcock and the departure of assistant coach Brad Shaw.
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong had offered extensions to all of the Blues' assistant coaches, noting that Muller could have been a successor for Hitchcock at the conclusion of next season.
Muller has head coaching experience, having served as bench boss for the Carolina Hurricanes from 2011-14, amassing a record of 80-80-27 in 187 games.
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Ovi's got game.
Washington Capitals super sniper Alex Ovechkin proved to be as deadly on the court as he is on the ice, draining a three-point shout during a charity basketball game in Russia last weekend, to help raise money for children with cerebral palsy.
Here's another look at his skills.
Alex Ovechkin is great at everything! Swishing shots at a charity basketball game in Russia last weekend. @Capitals pic.twitter.com/UGdZSYB5V8
— Alexander Chernykh (@chernykh) May 31, 2016
Ovechkin also spent time covering former NBA player Andrei Kirilenko.
Ovechkin captained the green team, named “Together We Are Brighter” and coached by two-time Olympic gold medalist Tatyana Ovechkina, who happens to be his mother.
- with H/T to Russian Machine Never Breaks
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Randy Carlyle has interviewed for the Calgary Flames' vacant head coach position, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman stated in his latest 30 Thoughts column.
Carlyle met with the Flames as well as the Anaheim Ducks - which was expected, according to Darren Dreger - on Tuesday at the NHL combine, according to Friedman.
The 60-year-old is the latest to interview for the position as Friedman notes the Flames interviewed former Edmonton Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger at the World Championship last month.
Carlyle signing in Calgary would see a reunion with president of hockey operations Brian Burke, who hired Carlyle as the Toronto Maple Leafs head coach when Burke was the club's general manager in 2012.
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