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
Capitals’ Orpik suspended for hit on Pens’ Maatta
Brooks Orpik of the Washington Capitals is suspended for three games after hitting Pittsburgh Penguins Olli Maatta in Saturday night’s game. Maatta was hit in the head by Orpik, causing him to become disoriented and leave for the rest of the game. After the hit, it was expected to be a major penalty, however the defenseman only received a penalty for interference. Maatta’s injury has been named an upper-body injury. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan stated that he is “not optimistic” about ... Read More
Orpik & Capitals down Penguins, 3-0
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost their third straight for the first time under first-year head coach Mike Johnston, as the visiting Washington Capitals shut out the Penguins 3-0 on Saturday night. The Capitals also snapped the Penguins’ five-game home winning streak. Braden Holtby made 31 saves to blank the Pens. It was Holtby’s third shutout of the season and the third time that the Penguins have been shut out. Eric Fehr did most of the damage offensively for the Capitals. His late first ... Read More
Old friends Orpik, Niskanen become foes as Penguins host Capitals
The Penguins will take to Consol Energy Center ice tonight for the first time following their Christmas break, and for a change, they were greeted with some good injury news. Center Brandon Sutter, held out of the last two games as a precaution while being tested for the mumps, tested negative and will return to the lineup tonight. Also poised to return is defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, who has missed five games with an undisclosed injury. “I feel good,” said Bortuzzo after morning skate. ... Read More
Penguins hit hard during opening day of free agency
As expected, the first day of free agency has turned into “Black Tuesday,” for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they suffered a big hit. It was unlikely that the Penguins would be able to sign any of their unrestricted free agents coming into Tuesday as they saw five players change addresses, headlined by longtime Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. Orpik signed a five-year, $27.5-million deal with the Washington Capitals after spending his entire professional career to date with the Pens. The ... Read More