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
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
Fleury, timely scoring lead Pens over Caps
After two periods of defensive hockey and solid goaltenders, the Penguins and Capitals burst out for three goals in the first 3:49 of the third period. Fortunately for the Pens, they emerged from the outburst with a 2-1 lead and were able to escape Washington with a 3-1 victory. In an even first period, the Penguins had three straight power plays, including a 47-second 5-on-3, but they were unable to solve Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby. Holtby In the second, the ice tilted towards the ... Read More
Pens stymied by Smith, Coyotes
When the Penguins acquired Phil Kessel this offseason, they brought him on board to do one thing: score goals. Kessel did his part by scoring the Pens first goal of the season with the kind of wrist shot that has made him one of the league’s most dangerous snipers, but the rest of the team failed to cash in against Arizona goaltender Mike Smith, and the Penguins dropped their second straight game to start the 2015-16 with a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Coyotes. For the second consecutive ... Read More
Pens look to get on the board against Arizona
The Pittsburgh Penguins will get an opportunity to get rid of the bad taste from their opening-night shutout at the hands of the Dallas Stars before they return to Consol Energy Center. Tonight, the Arizona Coyotes await as the Pens try to even their early season record and get the first points of 2015-16 on the board.Veteran forward Kevin Porter, who was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, will make his Penguins debut tonight.“Porter adds some ... Read More
Opening night special for new-look Pens
Tonight, hockey is back as the Pens will face the Dallas Stars to open their search for their fourth Stanley Cup. If you haven't been watching, a lot has changed since the Pittsburgh Penguins last took to the ice five and half months ago. After watching his team score only four goals in their four losses to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, and then watching the deep and talented forward groups of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks battle deep into June, ... Read More
AM Joe: Kessel sparkles in Pens debut
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Wednesday, September 22, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pirates (91-60) couldn't get the help they needed to clinch a playoff spot last night, but they can do it on their own accord tonight. The Colorado Rockies (63-88) again stand in the way. Charlie Morton will face Christian Bergman at 8:40 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh headlines: The Pirates staked J.A. Happ to an early lead, and he and the bullpen cruised to a 6-3 ... Read More
AM Joe: Pens host Canes in preseason home opener
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Tuesday, September 21, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins (1-0-0) will skate at Consol Energy Center for the first time in the 2015-16 season. The Pens will host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at 7:00 p.m. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Kris Letang and Phil Kessel (above) are all expected to play for the Pens. 105.9 WXDX-FM Pirates (90-60) lefty J.A. Happ will continue his audition for a spot in the postseason ... Read More
Pens will bring 53 players to camp on Thursday
After a long offseason, the Pittsburgh Penguins will step on to the ice for the first time in the 2015-16 season this week. It’s been the second consecutive offseason of change for the franchise. A year ago, the team completely restructured the front office and coaching staff. This offseason, the team has been put up for sale, opened a new practice facility and brought in 16 players – most notably, right-winger Phil Kessel -- that will be taking to the ice wearing a skating penguin for the ... Read More
Summer of Jim: Pens GM making all the right moves in 2015
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford faced a lot of criticism in his first year on the job. Many commenters (including this columnist) felt that Rutherford did not adequately manage his assets or the salary cap in order to put his team in the best possible position come playoff time. It was an easy criticism to make. The Penguins had so little salary cap space that they were forced to play with five defensemen for a long stretch at the end of the season, while minimal ... Read More