First Call: Was ESPN analyst's shot at Steelers offensive line fair? Alex Ovechkin injury update; Pirates host hot Royals

In our first “First Call” back from vacation, we look at a slap across the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line.

We have an injury update on Alexander Ovechkin as a date against the Penguins looms. Alejandro Villanueva may have competition for that potential new job he’s supposed to get in Baltimore. The Pirates get ready to host a division leader this week at PNC Park.

And the NHL’s East Division playoffs aren’t a done deal yet.

Across the ‘line’?

On Friday, Pro Football Focus posed this question about the Steelers offense.

Of course, it is assuming they actually do select Alabama running back Najee Harris with pick No. 24 in the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday night.

Who is stopping this potential Steelers offense? ? pic.twitter.com/GToSI8z6I2

— PFF (@PFF) April 23, 2021

ESPN’s Damien Woody has an idea to answer that query.

Their OL https://t.co/0rRx9fAa7k

— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) April 23, 2021

Ouch. Shots fired!

Woody isn’t wrong to point out that concern. However, based on how last year’s final six games went, other acceptable answers could’ve been dropped passes, the quarterback, the play calling, and almost any defense they faced.

But let’s not nitpick.

One thing Woody needs to consider is that a good portion of the offensive line is changing this year. Kevin Dotson should be the full-time starter at left guard. Zach Banner will likely be a full-time starting tackle. Not to mention the likely departure of Alejandro Villanueva to the Baltimore Ravens and the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey.

What’s unclear, though, is if the Steelers will draft any other potential players to fill some of those voids or just go with guys who are currently on the roster — such as B.J. Finney, J.C. Hassenauer, Joe Haeg, Banner and Chuks Okorafor.

Given some of the depth available in this year’s draft along the offensive line (especially at tackle), I’d lean toward the former.

Another option

As soon as the Baltimore Ravens traded offensive tackle Orlando Brown to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, it was reported the franchise would likely sign former Steeler Villanueva to fill the void.

While that signing wasn’t expected to take place until after the draft, the Ravens may be setting themselves up for another choice. Or at least looking to strengthen their depth at the position.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the organization had an interest in Dennis Kelly as well.

Kelly spent five seasons as a starter and a backup with the Tennessee Titans before being released in 2021. He started as the right tackle there in 2020. He can play both tackle spots and can move inside.

Villanueva has little to no experience at right tackle and guard.

Royals flushed

The Pirates (11-11) have been playing good baseball lately, winning three straight series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins.

But they haven’t been quite as hot as their next opponent, the Kansas City Royals. They come in as winners of four straight games and six of their last eight. K.C. (13-7) leads the American League Central by 1.5 games over the Chicago White Sox. With 13 victories, only the Boston Red Sox (14) and Oakland A’s (14) have more victories in the American League.

The Royals just outscored the Tigers 14-3 over the course of three games en route to a sweep in Detroit.

Kansas City hasn’t been particularly dominant in any phase of the game. The team is 15th in runs scored, 14th in ERA, only plus-3 in run differential and 27th in fielding percentage. But they are managing to win.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton will start Tyler Anderson (2-2, 3.92) in Game 1 of the series Tuesday against Jakob Junis (1-0, 3.71). Mitch Keller (1-2, 7.16) duels against Mike Minor (2-1, 4.64) in the second game Wednesday.

Still in play?

For a long time now, it has been believed that the top four in the NHL’s East Division has been set and it’s just a matter of working out the seeding between the first-place Penguins (67 points), the second-place Washington Capitals (66), the third-place New York Islanders (63) and the fourth-place Boston Bruins (60).

But the fifth-place New York Rangers (56) aren’t dead yet. They beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 Sunday to pull within four points of the Bruins for the final playoff spot. Mika Zibanejad had three goals for his third hat trick of the season.

Three goals tonight for his THIRD @Enterprise hat trick of the season!

Good things really do come in threes, @MikaZibanejad. pic.twitter.com/RAYWTSuJqi

— NHL (@NHL) April 26, 2021

The Rangers still have seven games left to play, and the Bruins have nine. The teams play each other on May 6 and May 8.

Oh, no Ovechkin

Penguins fans may want to keep an eye on injury news from Washington this week.

Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin is dealing with a lower-body injury. His status for Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders is uncertain. The winger also missed a game Saturday against the Islanders. But the Caps won 6-3 anyway.

They also won three of four games earlier this season when Ovechkin was forced to sit out due to NHL covid-19 protocol violations.

Via NHL.com, Ovechkin hadn’t missed a game due to injury prior to that night since March 5, 2015 against the Minnesota Wild.

Ovechkin’s next goal will be the 731st of his career, tying him with Marcel Dionne for fifth place in NHL history.

The East-leading Penguins visit the second-place Caps on Thursday and Saturday.