Given the tenor of the last game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, a penalty-filled affair in the teams’ final regular-season meeting in Washington on Wednesday night was hardly unexpected, but the way the penalties were handed out in the Penguins 4-3 victory over the Capitals was anything but expected. Instead of fights and roughing, it was hooking, holding, tripping and cross checking as referees Kelly Sutherland and Justin St. Pierre called an extremely tightly ... Read More
Pens take on Caps, public enemy No. 8
The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to stop a three-game slide against the Capitals as they face off on NBC Sports's Rivalry Night at 8:00 p.m. from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: Looming large in the Penguins three losses to the Capitals this season has been the physical play of Ovechkin. Penguins defenseman Christian Ehrhoff was injured when Ovechkin overpowered him on this attempted check (which was penalized, probably undeservedly). [youtube width="560" ... Read More
Slumping Pens lose on Dubinsky’s short-handed goal
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost a second straight game after entering the third period tied with a division rival, this time falling 2-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Consol Energy Center on Thursday night. This time, it was a back-breaking shorthanded goal from Columbus forward Brandon Dubinsky that put the Penguins away as they blundered yet another power play chance. The Penguins power play has now gone nine games and 20 power play chances without a goal, and at 17:43 of the third ... Read More
Penguins back in Metro Division for showdown with Capitals
In the Metropolitan Division, the four teams currently ranked in the top four– the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals – are very likely going to make the playoffs. The fourth-place Capitals hold a 12-point lead over fifth-pace Philadelphia and a 10-point lead over the Florida Panthers for a wild-card spot. The four Metropolitan opponents will spend the next month and a half jockeying for position in order to see who will be first-round ... Read More
Blackhawks top Penguins in shootout
For the second time this season, the Penguins and the Chicago Blackhawks needed a shootout to decide matters after 65 minutes of level hockey, and for the second time, the Blackhawks emerged victorious. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Patrick Sharp all beat Marc-Andre Fleury in the shootout. Fleury had an excellent regulation, making 31 saves while being named the game’s second start. “It’s tough for (Fleury) because, especially in the second period, I made a big mistake and he bailed me ... Read More
Penguins will battle Blackhawks in inter-conference matinee
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in Chicago today for a Sunday matinee against the Blackhawks. Winners of two in a row, the Penguins are looking for their first winning streak since December 20. TODAY’S OPPONENT: The Blackhawks and Penguins are meeting for the second and final time this season. Chicago came away with a 3-2 shootout win on January 21 in Pittsburgh. [youtube width="560" height="315" link="http://youtu.be/wF6YGgvJ1MU"] The Blackhawks are coming off a 3-1 win against the Devils ... Read More
Comeau’s two points lead Penguins past Red Wings
Coming into the night off a pair of back-to-back shutouts last week in Alberta, Marc-Andre Fleury had his shutout streak broken at 165:06, but his teammates provided plenty of offense in a four-goal outburst over the first to periods to the lead the Pens past the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Wednesday night. Blake Comeau made the most of his first action since Decemeber 22, with a goal, an assist, and earned the number one star skating on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist. ... Read More
Pens continue Western swing in Calgary
The Penguins three-game Western Canada road trip continues tonight with 9:00 p.m. visit with the Calgary Flames. They'll be greeting in Calgary by former Penguins defenseman Deryk Engelland, who will suit up wearing No. 29 for the red and black tonight. TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: The Flames have turned some heads in the Western Conference this season, as the young squad is currently in playoff contention and seven points ahead of the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings in the Pacific ... Read More
Fleury blanks Oilers; Malkin scores in return
The Penguins got their three-game swing through Alberta and British Columbia started off on the right foot with a 2-0 shutout victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 22 Oilers shots to record his seventh shutout of the season, which leads the NHL. It also ties him with Tom Barrasso in 1997-1998 for the most shutouts in a season in Penguins history. “It feels like it’s been a while,” said Fleury on his record-tying shutout. “It was a little ... Read More
Injured Malkin, Crosby will miss All-Star Game, may be out longer
Pittsburgh Penguins centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will miss Sunday’s NHL All-Star, the team announced on Thursday. Malkin left the team’s game on Tuesday night in Philadelphia with what the team characterized as a lower-body injury. He was able to return to action and finish the game that night. The team had an optional morning skate on Wednesday, and Malkin did not participate. He attempted to take part in the team’s warmup before Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago ... Read More