Penguins rookie right-winger Daniel Sprong made his NHL debut in the Pens 3-0 loss against the Dallas Stars on Thursday, and though he failed to make an immediate impact on the scoresheet, the talent and skating that made him a coveted pick were on full display. “It was a great experience,” he said after the game. “As each period went on, I felt better and more comfortable. I was pretty nervous in the beginning, but I think I can learn from this game.” Sprong, an 18-year old from ... Read More
Niemi shuts out Pens in season opener
The Pittsburgh Penguins spent most of the offseason focusing on upgrading their offensive attack. Through one game, it seems to have been for naught, as the Pens were shut out 3-0 by the Stars on opening night in Dallas. It wasn’t for a lack of chances, as the Penguins outshot Dallas 37-24. Defenseman Kris Letang led the offensive charge with eight shots on goal, but neither Letang nor any of the other Pens could solve Dallas goaltender Antti Niemi, who improved to 5-1-1 in his career against ... Read More
Opening night special for new-look Pens
Tonight, hockey is back as the Pens will face the Dallas Stars to open their search for their fourth Stanley Cup. If you haven't been watching, a lot has changed since the Pittsburgh Penguins last took to the ice five and half months ago. After watching his team score only four goals in their four losses to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, and then watching the deep and talented forward groups of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks battle deep into June, ... Read More
Pens recall Maatta and Porter for opener
The Penguins made three final transactions before their first game of the 2015-16 on Thursday. They reversed their salary cap-related transaction from earlier in the week, recalling defenseman Olli Maatta from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League and returning Swedish rookie Oskar Sundqvist to the AHL. Maatta is expected to start and feature prominently on the Penguins blue line in his first action since December 6 of last year. He was only able to play 20 games while ... Read More
Rodriguez to start, Alvarez on bench for Bucs in Wild Card
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle has announced his lineup for tonight’s Wild Card matchup against the Chicago Cubs and it comes with a big surprise towards the end. Batting eight and starting at first base will not be Pedro Alvarez, who played 124 games at first the Pirates this season, but utilityman Sean Rodriguez. Rodriguez saw extensive action as a defensive replacement, but started only 12 games at first base on the year. On the season, Alvarez hit .243/.318./.469 with 27 home ... Read More
Pascal Dupuis to miss four to five weeks
Before the 2015-16 season has even started, one of the Pittsburgh Penguins familiar demons has already reared its head. Winger Pascal Dupuis is expected to miss the first four-to-five weeks of the season with a lower body injury, the team said on Tuesday. Dupuis, 36, missed nearly all but 16 games of the 2014-15 season after a blood clot in his leg moved into his lung. Since then, Dupuis has been on blood thinners to reduce the risk of a reoccurrence and has established a strict protocol for ... Read More
AM Joe: And now, we wait
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Monday, October 5, 2015. What's on tap for today: At the craziest part of the year's sports calendar, there will be two days of nothing but anticipation, as the Pirates, Steelers, Penguins and local college teams are all off until Wednesday's Wild Card game between the Bucs and the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. At noon, Pitt (3-1. 1-0) head coach Pat Narduzzi will discuss his team's big road win over Virginia Tech and look forward to ... Read More
Week 4 NFL Picks
It's Week 4 of the NFL season and two of our writers have separated themselves from the pack at 25-20. Will either Gar Becury or Michael Waterloo take the lead this week. With 14 games on the slate on Sunday and Monday, there's also the possibility that they end up tied again. All of our writers like the Carolina Panthers over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Atlanta Falcons over the Houston Texans, and the Green Bay Packers over the San Francisco 49ers. For the first time in 2015, someone has ... Read More
AM Joe: ‘Batman’ finishes regular-season career
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Sunday, October 4, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (97-64) need a win over the Reds (64-97) today or a Cubs loss to ensure home-field advantage for the Wild Card game. J.A. Happ will take the hill for the Bucs, who have won seven of his nine starts. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Pittsburgh headlines: Veteran Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett made his final start of the regular season last night, ... Read More
AM Joe: Wet football weekend looms
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Saturday, October 3, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pitt (2-1) will visit the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-2) for their first ACC contest of the 2015 season. Freshman running back Darrin Hall will be out with a leg injury for the Panthers, while the Hokies will be without star cornerback Kendall Fuller. Kickoff is at noon. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Penn State (3-1) will host Army (1-3) for their fourth straight home game at Beaver Stadium. ... Read More