Facing elimination for the first time in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins responded better than most expected. Against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6, the Penguins controlled the pace, and Pittsburgh won pretty easily, 5-2. Matt Murray got the start in net and the vote of confidence from his team. Allowing two goals (one was a self-inflicted goal by Phil Kessel), Murray responded well after being benched in Game 5 for Marc-Andre Fleury. Murray played especially ... Read More
Penguins face first elimination of 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs
Pittsburgh Penguins For the first time in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins face elimination, as they trail Tampa Bay, 3-2, in the Eastern Conference Finals. And, in Game 6, head coach Mike Sullivan has, somewhat surprisingly, given the nod to rookie goaltender Matt Murray over veteran Marc-Andre Fleury (who played the last period in Game 4 and started Game 5). Another change from Sunday's game will likely be the addition of Conor Sheary back in the lineup on the first ... Read More
Penguins hope Lightning doesn’t strike twice
Pittsburgh Penguins In tonight's crucial game, goaltender Matt Murray will once again start over Marc-Andre Fleury, a choice that helped the Penguins win the last round against the Washington Capitals. In the most recent game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, however, Murray didn’t play his best, which showed in Pittsburgh’s 3-1 loss. Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby haven’t been on their scoring game this postseason, and the Penguins had many unnecessary turnovers and didn’t create many ... Read More
Penguins fall to Lightning in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals
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
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 must push back against Capitals with possible return of Orpik, Maatta
Pittsburgh Penguins Game Six of this series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals is crucial if the Penguins want to keep their lead; currently, the series is at 3-2. There is a possibility defenseman Olli Maatta will return to the lineup tonight after being out with an injury, which will add some much-needed padding to the Penguins’ defense — as long as Maatta continues to play as he has all season. The Capitals have been doing a good job of getting around the ... 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