When Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Johnston creep down the stairs to take a gander under Mario’s big tree this morning, what are they hoping Saint Nick has left them? Here’s a look at what the Penguins staff hopes they find in their stockings on Christmas morning. A TOP-SIX WINGER: The Penguins come into the holiday break with 49 points, which puts them atop the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference. They lead the second-place New York Islanders by ... Read More
Illnesses and injuries have provided opportunity for young Penguins
This holiday season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have a big reason to be thankful. There have been two constants this for the Penguins. One has been a seemingly never-ending stream of illnesses and injuries that have conspired to keep the team from fielding a full lineup. Currently, the Penguins have ten players on injured reserve and another three quarantined for fear of the mumps. The other constant has been the quality of players called up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey ... Read More
Pens comeback bid comes up short in Tampa
The Penguins tried their hardest, but they couldn’t battle their way out of a four-goal deficit, as they lost 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa on Tuesday. The Penguins will still be able to cruise into the holiday break atop the Eastern Conference with 49 points despite an 0-1-1 road trip where the team finally showed signs of being hampered by its depleted roster. Further conspiring against them on Tuesday night was a Pittsburgh team fresh off a hard-fought shootout loss to Florida ... Read More
Penguins wind up holiday road trip in Tampa
The Pittsburgh Penguins will have to shake off last night’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers quickly, because they will be right back in action tonight when the travel to Tampa, Florida to take on the Lightning. The Penguins have played on back-to-back nights five times so far this season, and they are 2-1-2 in the second games thus far. Tampa Bay last played on Saturday, when they lost 3-1 to the Islanders in New York. This is the second of three games between the teams this ... Read More
Penguins come back but fall in shootout to Panthers
The Penguins made a furious comeback to force overtime and earn a point, but the Florida Panthers scored the lone goal in the shootout to beat the Penguins 4-3. Alexsander Barkov got the game-winning shootout goal as he beat Marc-Andre Fleury in the seventh round with a one-handed backhand shot. Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped all seven Penguins shooters. Things were looking bleak for the Penguins as they trailed 3-1 with just five minutes remaining in the third period. Nick ... Read More
Pens, Cats do battle again as 3 more players get tested for mumps
The Florida Panthers will get their chance to avenge the Penguins 3-1 victory on Saturday night. The Penguins lineup is again missing some parts as Brandon Sutter, Steve Downie, and Thomas Greiss did not make the trip to Florida with the team. The trio is in Pittsburgh being tested for the mumps virus that has been plaguing the team for weeks. “I think I’m become a medical expert, but I don’t really want to be,” said Penguins head coach Mike Johnston. It’s the second time in a week Greiss has ... Read More
Pouliot’s debut leads Pens over Panthers
It may have been ugly sweater night at Consol Energy Center, but the Pittsburgh Penguins performance was anything but ugly as they beat the Florida Panthers 3-1. It was the fifth consecutive home victory for the Pens, and they are 5-0-2 in their last seven games “Florida pushed us very hard. I thought those guys responded really well,” said coach Mike Johnston on the challenging and physical game. Derrick Pouliot made his NHL debut in style, scoring the game-winning goal with his first NHL ... Read More
Derrick Pouliot will make NHL debut as injuries again beset Pens
The Penguins continue to battle roster turmoil as they host the Florida Panthers in the first game of a home-and-home series. In their two previous home-and-home series, the Penguins lost once in regulation and once in overtime with the New York BIslanders and split with the Carolina Hurricanes. TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: The Florida Panthers come into town on a roll, having won back-to-back games in dramatic fashion. First, they defeated the Washington Capitals in an NHL-record 20 round shootout ... Read More
Fleury blanks Avalanche, Comeau wins it for Pens in OT
Despite missing players due to illness and facing a hot goaltender, the Pittsburgh Penguins played a strong game and came through with yet another home win as they were able to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 in overtime for their fourth consecutive win on Consol Energy Center ice. Blake Comeau scored the game-winning overtime goal at 2:24 of the extra period. It was the tenth game-winning goal of his career, and his third this season. Evgeni Malkin assisted Comeau’s goal, which increased ... Read More
Crosby game-time decision for Pens vs. Avs
Sidney Crosby may return tonight when the Penguins host the Colorado Avalanche. The Penguins captain has practiced the last two days and seems ready to play, but will be a game-time decision. The Penguins battles with the mumps continue as Robert Bortuzzo and Olli Maatta still await the results of their tests. Also added to that list is goaltender Thomas Greiss, who practiced on Wednesday, but was not with the team today. Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, held out of practice on ... Read More