While the Penguins were busy making a big trade to acquire Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel, six of the Penguins free agents found other NHL homes. Defenseman Paul Martin, who was interested in returning to the Penguins, instead signed a four-year contract with the San Jose Sharks, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. Right-winger Steve Downie has accepted a one-year deal for $1.7 million with the Arizona Coyotes per Sportsnet. That is a modest raise from the $1 million contract he ... Read More
Penguins offseason: Forward depth and free agency
The Pittsburgh Penguins still have some decisions to make in regards to the makeup of their forward corps for the 2015-16 season. They have a few internal options that they may turn to if need be, but with the free agency period fast approaching, it will soon be time to make a decision on the impending free agents. As of now, the only player whose future is clear is right-winger Craig Adams, as the Penguins already informed him that <a ... Read More
Pens get Malkin back, lose Downie for final meeting with Flyers
As has been typical of the Pittsburgh Penguins 2014-15 season, as soon as they get one player back from injury, they lose another one. When the Penguins visit the Philadelphia Flyers this afternoon, center Evgeni Malkin will make his return to the Penguins lineup after missing the last two games with a nagging injury. Missing in action will be right-winger Steve Downie, who is out for today’s game and is day-to-day with an upper body injury. Downie did not appear to be injured during ... Read More
Penguins fall in overtime to Blues
For 17 seconds on Tuesday night, the Penguins dominated the St. Louis Blues. For the rest of the 60:18 the Penguins and Blues played, the Blues kept the Penguins off the board and peppered Marc-Andre Fleury with scoring chances. The Blues out shot the Penguins 33-26 in regulation, and with the score knotted at 2-2, Alexander Steen redirected Zbynek Michalek’s wrist shot past Fleury to give the Blues a 3-2 overtime victory at Consol Energy Center. After a scoreless first period – the ... Read More
Pens wrap up road trip in Arizona
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of a road trip that they would rather forget. After being swept at home last weekend by Atlantic Division foes Boston and Detroit, a three-game set against three of the worst teams in the league seemed like it was just what the doctor ordered for the Pens. Instead, they were shutout 3-0 in New Jersey, and unable to recover from their second period mistakes in a 2-1 loss in Dallas. The Pens have now lost four straight games and have scored only two ... Read More
Penguins lose to Stars 2-1; drop fourth straight
With a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins are now mired in the longest losing streak of the season – and Mike Johnston’s career – as they have now lost four straight games. For the second consecutive game, the Penguins came out ahead on the shot chart, with the Pens outshooting the Stars 31-26, including a 14-4 advantage in the third period. With the Penguins missing their top two goal scorers – center Evgeni Malkin and winger Patric Hornqvist – due to ... Read More
Penguins blow big lead but score late to beat Oilers
The Pittsburgh Penguins let a big lead slip away against the lowly Edmonton Oilers on Thursday evening, but they found a way to finish strong and escape with a 6-4 victory at Consol Energy Center. The Penguins jumped out to a huge 4-0 lead by the early second period, but the Oilers stormed back by scoring four consecutive goals to tie the game before the Penguins pulled away. Brandon Sutter had a huge first period, scoring two goals, the first of which was on a shorthanded breakaway at ... Read More
Pens come from behind but fall to Blackhawks in a shootout
Coming into Wednesday night’s intra-conference showdown with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Penguins had lost three straight games, including a heartbreaker in over time in Philadelphia the night before. There are no must-win games in January in the National Hockey League, but the Penguins really wanted a win to right the ship and head of the for the all-star break on a high note. Then, they spotted the Blackhawks a two-goal lead. It wasn’t because the Penguins played poorly; the Blackhawks ... Read More
Downie leads Penguins to victory over former squad
2015 is already looking positive for the Pittsburgh Penguins, because after Friday night’s 6-3 win against Tampa Bay, they are now first place in the Eastern Conference. Steve Downie made a triumphant return to the lineup, scoring two third period goals to seal the Penguins win. “I had a couple of opportunities,” said Downie after the game. “I got lucky tonight. I thought we played well.” His coach was quicker to praise Downie’s game. “He’s an underestimated player,” said Penguins head coach ... Read More
Pens Downie back in action vs. Tampa Bay
The big Penguins news of the day, the acquisition of forward David Perron, won’t have a big effect on tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Pittsburgh. The 26-year old winger is expected to join the team in time for Saturday night’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens, but will still be traveling to Pittsburgh from Edmonton during tonight’s contest. The Penguins will be adding a different forward in tonight’s lineup: right-winger Steve Downie will make his return to the ... Read More