How's this for a double whammy: the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres last night and traded for Alexei Ponikarovsky during the game. Meanwhile, Darcy Regier was busy during the game telling John Vogl of The Buffalo News that the team isn't close to making a trade. While one game does not a stretch run make, perhaps last night's loss has convinced Mr. Regier that keeping up with the Jonses (Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and NJ)  might be a good idea. As a fan, I really wish they would have won last night, if only to deflect some of the disappointment with management's stay-the-course philosophy during this now-quite-long losing skid. The team is 3-8-3 since January 19.

Yesterday's Trades:
Leafs trade Ponikarovsky to Penguins for Skoula, Caputi - TSN
Senators acquire defenceman Sutton from Islanders - TSN
Blackhawks add D Boynton from Ducks - TSN
Oilers acquire F Marquardt from Bruins for D Wild - TSN

Back in the saddle again: Pens beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 - PensBurgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins win their first game back from the Olympic break with a 3-2 effort over the Buffalo Sabres.

Sullivan: Miller gives Regier reason to make move - The Buffalo News
Jerry Sullivan argues that with Ryan Miller's showing at the Olympics, the onus is on Darcy Regier to make a move that shows the NHL that Buffalo wants to win now.

Sabres' Lydman, Tallinder facing reality - The Buffalo News
Toni Lydman is no dummy. The Buffalo Sabres' defenseman knows this is the time of year when players like him get traded.

TSN Insiders discuss which players could be in play Wednesday - TSN
With the league's trade deadline set for Wednesday at 3pm et/Noon pt, the clock is ticking on NHL GMs looking to make last minute changes to their respective lineups.

Trading for a second round pick well worth the gamble - The Hockey News
Considering how few second rounders ever pan out to be long-term hockey players, Rory Boylen thinks that trading that pick away is well worth the risk.

The 10 players, teams shaking up NHL trade deadline day - Puck Daddy
With Ilya Kovalchuk getting traded before the Olympics, the deadline drama has been reduced to a few huge names with no-trade clauses, a few "will they or won't they" trade options and a collection of players that can offer strong depth support down the lineup.

Blessing or curse? Will fatigue factor in stretch drive? - NHL.com
Will playing in the 2010 Olympics invigorate players or will there be too much fatigue to remain sharp? Not surprisingly, opinions differ.

Five predictions for the final month of the regular season - Puck Daddy
As opposed to the article from yesterday, this Top 5 list deals with predictions for the last month of the season.