Forty-nine times a team in the Stanley Cup Finals had a 2-0 lead, 44 of them went on to hoist Lord Stanley's trophy. The Pittsburgh Penguins, after defeating the San Jose Sharks last night, 2-1, will now see the series shift away to play in California. Although each game has been close on the score sheet, the two teams are playing on completely different levels. Pittsburgh is playing like a well-oiled machine and it is showing. Though they haven't been able to separate themselves by much in ... Read More
Penguins, Sharks ready for important Game 2
Pittsburgh Penguins Young players and established stars alike have given the Pittsburgh Penguins hope of hoisting the trophy after taking Game 1 against the San Jose Sharks. In a game dominated by speed and athleticism, the Penguins were able to damper the Sharks' excitement in their first-ever game in the Stanley Cup Finals. Although Pittsburgh was out-played in the second period, the team dominated for most of the game and controlled the pace. If they want to win again, the Penguins ... Read More
Penguins march past Sharks in Game 1 of Stanley Cup Finals
For the first time since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2008-09, the Pittsburgh Penguins have tallied a win in the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 1 saw three periods of completely different play. In the first period, Pittsburgh dominated with an aggressive forecheck, killing speed and good instincts by just about every player. In the second period, the San Jose Sharks evaporated the Penguins 2-0 lead and bring the game back to even. In the third period, each team had their fair shot at taking the ... Read More
Penguins, Sharks evenly matched as puck about to drop in Game 1 of Finals
Pittsburgh Penguins The stage is set at Consol Energy Center for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Pittsburgh Penguins have the chance to take the final step to complete their Cinderella story this season — at one point, early in the season, the Penguins looked like they wouldn’t even make the playoffs. They were still feeling the growing pains of adjusting to new head coach Mike Sullivan's style of play. Now, Pittsburgh seemingly has everything figured out, which makes them incredibly ... Read More
Chemistry, not making big trades helps lead Penguins to Stanley Cup
Compare the 2012-13 Pittsburgh Penguins to the current roster. Based on skill alone, who is more likely to make the Stanley Cup Finals? If you said this years’ team, you might be lying to yourself. That team three years ago was stacked, and on paper one of the most talented teams in franchise history. They were supposed to breeze through the Eastern Conference on their way to the finals. It was not supposed to be close. Future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla was acquired for below-market ... Read More
Stanley Cup Preview: It’s cup time
What a ride it has been thus far. The ups and downs of an 82-game season with the addition of 18 more games in the playoffs can take a toll on any team. The Pittsburgh Penguins have shown resiliency in the last few months and deserve to be in the position they are in. San Jose equally deserves the opportunity heading to their first ever Stanley Cup Final. In many respects, the Sharks play similarly to the Penguins. One major commonality is that San Jose wants their defense involved in the ... Read More
Penguins edge out Lightning to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals
The stage is now set for what should be one of the best Stanley Cup Finals in recent memory. Following last night's win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be tasked with playing the San Jose Sharks, a team that has features of each opponent Pittsburgh has played in these playoffs. Matt Murray and Bryan Rust were the Penguins two biggest contributors last night. This isn't to say that the work of Chris Kunitz, Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby went unnoticed, but the ... Read More
Pens preview: Fleury to start in pivotal Game 5
After a 4-3 loss, the Penguins are now tied with the Lighting in the series 2-2. Last game, Marc-Andre Fleury was put in the net halfway through the third period, and he has been named the Game 5 starter. Matt Murray has been looking fatigued in the net and having a change in goalies may be what the Penguins need to come back in the playoffs. Both Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have been slowly making a return as they have both earned points this round. Having Malkin, Crosby and Fleury ... Read More
Lightning top Pens to tie series at 2-2
Friday night,the Pittsburgh Penguins fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa. The series is now tied 2-2. The Lightning were off to a quick start when Ryan Callahan scored at almost 30 seconds into the game. Later in the first period, defenseman Andrej Sustr once again scored for the Lightning. The period ended with the Lightning leading 2-0. The second period was once again successful for the Lighting. Jonathan Drouin scored for the Lightning after about five ... Read More
Pens Preview: Pens look to take pivotal Game 4 in Tampa
On Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins took back home-ice advantage with a dominating 4-2 win on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 3. The game featured two more goals from the red-hot “HBK Line” in Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin, and another goal from Sidney Crosby. As the dust settled, the Penguins now command their first series lead up two games to one and now look to do some more damage to the Lightning that could potentially devastating. Pittsburgh Penguins The ... Read More