The Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2015-16 NHL regular season was a tale of two different teams. The first: a team that struggled and couldn’t find the magic needed to be regarded as one of the league's best teams. The other: a formidable and dangerous team with an offense that had the spark and speed of a top-tier team, which was complemented by a fast-paced defense. Now, with the regular season over and done with, it’s time to assign the final grades of the season. Offense: A- Overall, this ... Read More
Penguins face tough playoff test vs. Rangers for third-straight year
For the third time in as many years, the Pittsburgh Penguins (48-26-8) will play the New York Rangers (46-27-9) in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Penguins won the regular season series three games to one, with Pittsburgh scoring a combined 12 goals. Although Pittsburgh has crushed its competition as of late, this series will be the team’s biggest challenge since head coach Mike Sullivan took the reins in December. There is a sizable chance Sullivan's team will begin the playoffs with ... Read More
Penguins fall in season finale to Flyers
Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins (48-25-8) went on the road for their final game of the season against the Philadelphia Flyers (39-27-14), with a chance to knock the Flyers out of the playoffs. Pittsburgh’s offense couldn’t get the job done and was unable to cap off the season with a win, losing 3-1. The Flyers’ win now puts them in the playoffs where they will face the Washington Capitals in the first round. The Penguins struggled on offense, mustering only 19 shots, and were clearly a ... Read More
Crosby’s OT game winner keeps Penguins hot in D.C.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are now finding many different ways to win. After the Penguins gave up a 3-0 lead, captain Sidney Crosby silenced the relentless Capitals with a game-winning goal in overtime to give Pittsburgh a 4-3 win in the nation’s capital on Thursday night. Ever since their bland loss to the New Jersey Devils two weeks ago, the Penguins have won eight straight games. Thursday’s win also secured second place in the Metropolitan Division for Pittsburgh, which means the Penguins ... Read More
Column: Crosby’s resurgence the core to Penguins turnaround
It wasn't too long ago that the Pittsburgh Penguins were on the verge of completely falling apart. Head coach Mike Johnston wasn’t getting the best out of his players, the offense was boring, and the defense looked just as bad trying to protect the net. Pittsburgh was a mediocre team, at best, and captain Sidney Crosby looked no better. At times, Crosby looked overwhelmed and exhausted. His team was underperforming, and there was nothing he could do. Minor injuries made his play even more ... Read More
Comeback victory gives Penguins their seventh-straight win
Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins (46-25-8) successfully began their three-game road trip to conclude the season, playing the Ottawa Senators (36-34-9). Although the Senators were eliminated from the playoffs Thursday, they played a perfect first half of the game but could not finish. Penguins goalie Matt Murray looked to be a little rattled after giving up his second goal, and, shortly thereafter, Ottawa poured salt on the wound. But Murray would respond, like he has done frequently this ... Read More
Crosby voted as team MVP for sixth time in career
Sidney Crosby, who went from 129th overall in scoring to third, has been the core of the Pittsburgh Penguins turning their season around. It was announced today that he was elected as team MVP and deservedly so. When coach Mike Sullivan's reign began, Crosby ignited and is currently the NHL's leading scorer since then with 62 points (25 G, 37 A). The ability for Crosby to not only score, but to pass the puck and set up his teammates is invaluable. He has come up big game after game and has ... Read More
Sidney Crosby named NHL’s first star of the week
For the second time this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins' captain, Sidney Crosby, has been named the NHL's first star of the week. Crosby has dominated lately and is currently third in the league in scoring behind Chicago's Patrick Kane and Dallas' Jamie Benn. Crosby also has a 12-game point streak, the longest of the season for him. He finished this past week with seven points, give of which being assists. This was something that was missing from Crosby's game at the beginning of the season. ... Read More
Crosby scores a pair to lead Penguins to their fourth straight win
This evening the Carolina Hurricanes (31-26-13) traveled on the road to Pittsburgh and face the Penguins (37-24-8) who were riding a three-game win streak. Sidney Crosby was able to score a pair on Hurricanes netminder Eddie Lack with Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel also putting one in the net. With Crosby's goals tonight he claimed his seventh career 30-goal season, truly remarkable considering how poorly he played in the early stages of the season. Carolina scored two early goals, but ... Read More
Sidney Crosby should be an All-Star
It is no secret around Pittsburgh that Sidney Crosby has fallen on some hard times this season, especially after being snubbed from this year’s NHL All-Star roster. If the All-Star game’s new format did not require each team to be represented, there is a very real possibility Crosby would be on the roster, as he should be. Statistically, Crosby has underwhelmed this season. There is no getting around that. Both Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang deserved their selections, but do names like Brandon ... Read More