The Penguins should trade Matt Murray. I’ll wait a minute while you scream at me at the top your lungs. Done yet? No? Now? OK, hear me out. The Penguins have a problem at goaltender. There’s only one net and they have two quality players in Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury. That’s not an ideal situation for any team, but some have made it work. The Penguins even seem as if they would be willing to try make it work. “If it was in a perfect world and (head coach Mike Sullivan) and ... Read More
About Alan Saunders
Riverhounds affiliate with Columbus
After one season as an independent, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds have signed an affiliation agreement with the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer for the 2016 season. The Crew, one of the founding members of the league, were the 2015 MLS Eastern Conference champions and lost by just one goal in the MLS Final against Portland earlier this month. “Our coaching staff is thrilled to be affiliated with one of the best organizations in MLS,” Riverhounds head coach Mark Steffens said in a press ... Read More
Fleury, Bennett will both miss time to injury
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury may have a concussion and will miss Wednesday’s game against the Boston Bruins and right-winger Beau Bennett will miss four to six weeks with an upper body, head coach Mike Sullivan said after the team’s practice session on Tuesday. Sullivan said he did not know when Fleury was injured, but that it happened sometime during the team’s 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Monday night. “He came to us last night and said he wasn’t feeling ... Read More
Bennett powers Pens past Avalanche
Beau Bennett might finally have found a spot in the Penguins top six. Playing in the spot alongside Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz that was recently vacated by the retirement of Pascal Dupuis, Bennett cashed in with a pair of third period goals that helped the Pens turn a one-goal deficit into a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Thursday night. For Bennett, the beleaguered former first-round pick, it was a relief to finally be rewarded for his hard work, and even more ... Read More
Pens forward Pascal Dupuis retires
Pittsburgh Penguins left-winger Pascal Dupuis has decided to retire, citing continued issues with the blood clots that prematurely ended his 2014-15 season. Dupuis, 36, has been with the Penguins since 2008 and won a Stanley Cup with the club in 2009. “It was very difficult for me to make this decision to have to step away from the game,” Dupuis said in a press release. “My wife and four children have always been my first priority, and playing with my condition has become a constant worry ... Read More
Pens finally get come-from-behind victory
The Penguins might have played their worst 20 minutes of the season in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday. Despite entering the middle frame with a 2-1 lead, the Penguins were outshot 13-1, gave Montreal three power plays, and gave up goals to Brendan Gallagher and Brian Flynn. With the Habs up 3-2 at the end of the second and the Penguins without a comeback when trailing after two in 22 months, the outlook looked bleak. The Penguins dug ... Read More
Pens hang on for fifth straight win
The Penguins got their Western Canadian road trip off on the right foot, holding on for a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday. The Pens took an early lead on David Perron’s first goal of the season. Perron deflected a Brian Dumoulin point shot past Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller. Phil Kessel earned the secondary assist on the play, as Evgeni Malkin’s linemates cashed in. As the game went on, it seemed as if the tight-checking affair might end up 1-0. The shots were 14-13 in ... Read More
Pens up late for West Coast showdown
The Penguins will start the Western Canadian portion of their four-game road trip tonight when they visit the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena tonight at 10 p.m. The Pens have already been on the road for four days. They left Pittsburgh on Friday before their 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Since then, the Penguins have had a rare three days off on the road. KUNITZ QUESTIONABLE Left-winger Chris Kunitz will be a game-time decision for tonight’s game. He skated ... Read More
Fleury, timely scoring lead Pens over Caps
After two periods of defensive hockey and solid goaltenders, the Penguins and Capitals burst out for three goals in the first 3:49 of the third period. Fortunately for the Pens, they emerged from the outburst with a 2-1 lead and were able to escape Washington with a 3-1 victory. In an even first period, the Penguins had three straight power plays, including a 47-second 5-on-3, but they were unable to solve Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby. Holtby In the second, the ice tilted towards the ... Read More
Bennett will return for Pens vs Caps
Penguins winger Beau Bennett will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last five games. Bennett was injured celebrating a goal in the team’s 3-2 loss against the Montreal Canadiens on October 13. In that game, Bennett was one of the Penguins best players, scoring a goal on six shots in 14:05 of ice time. Now, after two weeks on the injured reserve, he’ll try to get back in the swing of things. “Beau will play tonight,” Penguins head coach Mike Johnston confirmed after morning ... Read More