Facing the Pittsburgh Penguins (17-15-3), the Toronto Maple Leafs (13-15-7) came into Consol Energy Center looking to lift themselves out of the basement of the Atlantic Division. Missed opportunities and defensive breakdowns on the power play led to this evening's game going into a shootout where the Penguins would lose, 3-2. The Penguins had 20 shots on net in just the second period, and finished the game with 41. Sidney Crosby (8) shot a beauty to the top shelf in the second period, and ... Read More
Penguins offense sputters in shut-out loss
Travelling to face the Winnipeg Jets (15-17-2), the Pittsburgh Penguins (17-14-3) came into the game seeking to win their third straight game and seventh straight against the Jets. Beginning the game slowly in the first period, to only be denied all game long of a goal, Pittsburgh would give up another two points in tonight’s 1-0 loss. The Penguins’ offense had plenty of good shots and chances at getting rid of the goose egg out of their scoring column, but failed to chip one past Winnipeg’s ... Read More
Rested Penguins fight off Wild in road victory
The Minnesota Wild (18-9-6) hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins (16-14-3) tonight resuming NHL action after a short break for the holidays. Patric Hornqvist scored his first goal in over five games and Sidney Crosby finished the game with one goal and one assist in a 3-1 win. Pittsburgh went the first period without scoring, but was able to put up three goals in the second period to give the Penguins a multi-goal lead that allowed the offense to play freely and without pressure. Tonight’s game ... Read More
Sullivan wins first game for Pens with no Crosby
Going on almost a month since their last home win, the Pittsburgh Penguins (15-14-3) looked to end their recent winning drought with a victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-19-3). Although playing without Sidney Crosby in tonight’s game the offense finally broke out in a 5-2 win. Phil Kessel (10, 11) scored two back-to-back goals in the second period to give the Penguins a multi-goal lead. Evgeni Malkin (16, 17) took the reins of the team tonight and led his team in their overwhelming ... Read More
Free fall continues for Penguins losing to Carolina, 2-1
The Pittsburgh Penguins (15-13-3) hosted the Carolina Hurricanes (12-15-5) for their second game played in as many days, but with the same result finding themselves on the losing end of things for the fifth straight game, losing tonight 2-1. Evgeni Malkin (15) tried to take over the game early for the Penguins, scoring their only goal of the night in the beginning of the second period. The penalty kill allowed both goals, one coming from former Pittsburgh center, Jordan Staal (7), who gave the ... Read More
Pens assign Daniel Sprong to juniors; recall Scott Wilson
The Daniel Sprong experiment, for now, is over with the announcement today that the Pittsburgh Penguins have assigned the 18-year-old to the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Playing 18 games this season, Sprong has scored two goals, with his first coming on Oct. 15 against the Ottawa Senators. Averaging only 8:49 of ice time a game raises the question as to why Sprong was prematurely sent to the national level if he was not going to get more ice time or stay ... Read More
Penguins hit new low losing to Boston, 6-2
In the hope of snapping their three game losing skid and giving head coach Mike Sullivan his first win as Pittsburgh’s coach. The Penguins (15-12-3) hosted the Boston Bruins (17-9-4) this time around, but the result remained as Pittsburgh lost their third straight game, 6-2. Special Teams Trouble Tonight’s game featured a Penguin’s power play that finished the game with no goals on five power play opportunities. Wasted shots led to easy clears and predictability from the offense. Bruins’ ... Read More
Penguins shut out by Bruins
In the second game as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins (15-11-3) Mike Sullivan drew another tough hand in matching up against the Boston Bruins (16-9-4). The visiting Penguins ended the game with 34 shots on goal, 16 more than Boston. An early neutral zone turnover dished out to former Penguin Max Talbot would be all that was needed. Replacing Marc-Andre Fleury who is suffering from a concussion, Jeff Zatkoff finished the game with 24 saves and allowed only two goals in tonight’s 3-0 ... Read More
Expect Pens to open their game up under Sullivan
After a 2-2-0 trip to the West Coast and losing in a shootout last night to the Los Angeles Kings, the second loss in five days to the Pacific Division leaders, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford decided to pull the plug on head coach Mike Johnston. The Penguins brought in Johnston at the start of last season to install a defensive mentality to combat bad habits picked up from the Dan Bylsma “run-and-gun” tenure. Johnston delivered on the expectations to some extent – the ... Read More
Penguins fire Johnston, Agnew; Sullivan to take over
It was just a matter of time. And on Saturday morning, time ran out on Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston as the team announced through a team-issued release that Johnston and assistant coach Gary Agnew were relieved of their duties effective immediately. “I felt it was time for a coaching change because our team has underachieved,” general manager Jim Rutherford said in the release. “Our expectations are much higher with this group of players." Taking over for Johnston will be Mike ... Read More