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
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
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
Crosby’s overtime goal hands Pens Game 2 win
Monday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins faced off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Penguins were able to tie the series 1-1 after a 3-2 overtime win. The first period started out hopeful for the Penguins after Matt Cullen and Phil Kessel scored the first two goals of the game, allowing the Penguins to lead 2-0. Later in the first period, however, the Lightning came back to tie the game, after Anton Stralman and Jonathon Drouin scored two goals, ... 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
Game 1 Preview: Lightning face tough challenges against Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins (8-3) The Penguins were supported in their last series by a number of player who were not named Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. While some saw this as a cause for concern, it is easy to forget how well the Capitals defense played. Tampa Bay may have the speed to match Pittsburgh, but its defense going against Crosby, Malkin, Carl Hagelin, Kris Letang, Nick Bonino and so on will struggle in Game 1. The back-end of Tampa Bay's team is agile, but are not as skillful as ... Read More
Pouliot or Schultz: Who should Pens turn to?
Monday night’s game against the Washington Capitals proved to be interesting for both the Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins with Brooks Orpik suspended for three games and Olli Maatta out indefinitely with an upper-body injury. The Penguins filled their empty defensive spot with Derrick Pouliot, who was recalled from Wilkes Barre/Scranton earlier this season. There was a chance, however, for the Penguins to play defenseman Justin Schultz instead of Pouliot. Was Pouliot the right decision? ... Read More
Pens send Rangers home to advance to second round
The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New York Rangers, 6-3, at Consol Energy Center, and won the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, four games to one. Period One The first period proved to be slow for the Penguins, especially after the Rangers took a 1-0 lead when Rick Nash scored. After that, it was back and forth. Carl Hagelin scored the first goal for the Penguins, to tie the game. Dominic Moore quickly put the Rangers back in the lead, but the Penguins soon tied it up with a goal ... Read More
Face Off Friday: Crosby/Malkin or Toews/Kane
Jon Pennline — If we're comparing teams, I'll take the Chicago Blackhawks over the Pittsburgh Penguins in a seven-game series. But we're not. We're talking about comparing two dynamic duos and, in that sense, I'll take Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin every time and twice on Sunday. With Crosby and Malkin, you're getting two players that have won two Art Ross Trophies each; the award for highest scoring player in the league. While Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane haven't been too far behind ... Read More