In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Tampa Bay Lightning wrecked havoc on the Pittsburgh Penguins on both sides of the ice, scoring three and preventing Pittsburgh from getting good opportunities. Patric Hornqvist removed the goose-egg from the scoresheet, but it wasn't enough, and the Penguins lost the series opener, 3-1. Perhaps the biggest headline was the early exit of Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop, who was injured after 12:25 in the first period. Backup Andrei Vasilevskiy ... Read More
Game 1 Preview: Lightning face tough challenges against Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins (8-3) The Penguins were supported in their last series by a number of player who were not named Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. While some saw this as a cause for concern, it is easy to forget how well the Capitals defense played. Tampa Bay may have the speed to match Pittsburgh, but its defense going against Crosby, Malkin, Carl Hagelin, Kris Letang, Nick Bonino and so on will struggle in Game 1. The back-end of Tampa Bay's team is agile, but are not as skillful as ... Read More
Can Penguins continue winning ways in Eastern Conference finals vs. Lightning?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have come a very long way in the past five months. In December, the season looked bleak, and the team looked like it would miss out on the playoffs. Now, after beating the President's Trophy winner, the Washington Capitals (the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference), in six games, the Penguins are looking dangerous. And they're looking to carry their stellar second-half play into the Eastern Conference finals where they'll face the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the series ... Read More
Bonino’s overtime goal sends Penguins to Eastern Conference Finals
In only their second-ever meeting in the postseason, the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated their bitter rivals, the Washington Capitals, 4-3 in an overtime thriller. Nick Bonino scored the winning goal for the Penguins, ending the Capitals’ season. Washington battled back from a three-goal deficit with goals from T.J. Oshie, Justin Williams and John Carlson to send the game into overtime. But the Capitals were no match for the Penguins. Netminder Matt Murray continued to be the backbone of ... Read More
Matt Murray the right choice in net for Penguins in Game Six
Has the torch been passed? On Monday, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan announced goaltender Matt Murray would start in Game 6, keeping Marc-Andre Fleury on the bench. This is the the right move by the Penguins’ management; Murray is the reason Pittsburgh has stayed so competitive against the NHL's best team. The mere fact that Murray was able to stop two breakaway chances by Alex Ovechkin is enough to give Murray the nod for the rest of the series. This isn’t to say Fleury ... Read More
Penguins can’t close series as Capitals force Game 6
This evening Game 5 of the Round 2 series against the Washington Capitals (6-5), the Pittsburgh Penguins (7-2) saw a desperate team get the best of them. Alex Ovechkin scored the game's first goal on a power-play after a hooking penalty was called against Bryan Rust. Chris Kunitz scored Pittsburgh's first power-play goal not too far long after and brought the Penguins back at a draw with the Capitals. However, Washington took control in the second period with a goal by T.J. Oshie and Justin ... Read More
Hornqvist’s overtime goal puts Penguins in the driver seat
After a tight and intense game, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals went into overtime, where Pittsburgh forward Patric Hornqvist scored the game winner to make it a 3-2 final. The Penguins now hold a 3-1 series lead over the Capitals and have three chances to eliminate the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Even without the support of defenseman Kris Letang, who was suspended for the game after a high hit on a Capital in Game 3, Pittsburgh's defense was able to clamp down ... Read More
Game 4 Preview: The Penguins must continue to pressure Capitals without Letang
Pittsburgh Penguins (6-2) In Game 4, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ defense will be under a lot of stress following the news that defenseman Kris Letang was suspended one game for his hit on the Washington Capitals’ Marcus Johansson. Pittsburgh’s Olli Maata has also been ruled out of Game 4 and will miss his second-straight game. Playing without two of their best defensemen will be a big test for the Penguins. Washington has made each of its last two losses close, so a weaker Pittsburgh defense ... Read More
Three reasons why series against Capitals is far from being over
While Game 3's victory over the Washington Capitals was a step in the right direction for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the series is far from over. Yes, optimism is running as fast as Pittsburgh's offense, but do not forget the havoc Washington caused in the NHL during the regular season. Of course, there is reason to have a positive mindset going into Game 4, but with the news of Kris Letang's suspension, the weakest part of the Penguins just got weaker. The defense has already had a tough task ... Read More
Kris Letang suspended one game for hit on Marcus Johansson
The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday afternoon that Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang will serve a one-game suspension for a hit on Washington Capital Marcus Johansson in Game 3. While it was known this second-round series would get testy and physical, no one could predict there would be three hits in as many games that would require discipline by the league. Washington's Tom Wilson was fined $2,403.67 for his hit on Conor Sheary in Game 1. Capital defenseman ... Read More