The NHL and the North American levels of hockey are at war with itself over tolerable levels of violence in the game.  Questions are now being asked loudly about the future of fighting and the definition of acceptable hits. After several suicides of high profile enforcers over the past several years, attributable to depression caused by CTE, the loss of several players to concussions, including Marc Savard and Chris Pronger, there has been much discussion.  There has also been some movement ... Read More

These days, it doesn't seem to matter who the Pittsburgh Penguins are missing they still find a way to win. Without Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Brooks Orpik, Paul Martin, Rob Scuderi, Beau Bennett, James Neal, Deryk Engelland, and Tanner Glass, the Penguins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1, Monday night at Consol Energy Center to move back on top of the Eastern Conference standings. Of course, the Pens still had Sidney Crosby. Crosby scored his 19th goal of the season with under ... Read More

  With their third straight win, and eighth in nine games, the Pittsburgh Penguins (23-10-1) defeated the Detroit Red Wings (15-10-9) on Saturday night.  The Penguins won 4-1, with backup goalie Jeff Zatkoff in net, and handed Detroit its fourth consecutive loss. Unfortunately for the victors, these two points in the standings came at a significant cost.  Evgeni Malkin was injured in the third period on a play in which he was also called for a holding penalty.  Malkin was wrapped up with ... Read More

The Pittsburgh Penguins' skaters only showed up for one period of play on Friday night.  Fortunately, their goaltender was available to play all three. Pittsburgh scored three goals in the first period then held on to defeat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 at Consol Energy Center.  Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 37 of 39 shots including a couple of ten-bell saves in the third period to preserve the one goal lead. Pascal Dupuis got the Penguins on the board right away with a goal less than a minute ... Read More

Contrary to popular belief, revenge isn’t a dish best served cold; Injustice is.   Nearly a week after Boston Bruin enforcer Shawn Thornton finished his on-ice assault of Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik, the NHL is finally set to meet with Thornton. The first obvious question is—why did it take the NHL six days to schedule a hearing.  Should not an on-ice assault be met with swift discipline, sending a message to other premeditating muggers? Thornton deserves a suspension of 20 or 40 ... Read More

The Penguins went into Monday night's game without the services of Brooks Orpik and James Neal, but they did get Evgeni Malkin back and it made a huge difference. Malkin scored in his first game back after a two game absence, Sidney Crosby netted the game-winner, and Marc-Andre Fleury 32 of 33 shots as the Penguins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets. James Neal missed the game due to starting his five game suspension for kneeing Boston forward Brad Marchand in the head.  Brooks Orpik ... Read More

According to numerous reports, James Neal will be suspended for five games for his intentional knee to the head of Brad Marchand. Neal had a phone call with the league on Monday to determine what his punishment would be. After the knee to the head, Boston enforcer Shawn Thornton attacked Brooks Orpik on the ice. Thornton is supposed to meet with the league later this week to determine what his punishment will be. Orpik was placed on IR and coach Dan Bylsma confirmed that Orpik ... Read More

The Pittsburgh Penguins across the board are a talented offensive minded squad built to beat opposing teams with speed, great transitional play and for the most part, superior talent. However, if and when the game turns ugly or physical as it did Saturday night against the Bruins, or last year in the playoffs, or the year before that against the Flyers, the Penguins are simply outmuscled. Attention, Mr. Shero. Enough is enough. This has to be your wake up call to go out and bring in a role ... Read More

The Pittsburgh Penguins lost more than just a hockey game, Saturday night. In the first period, Brooks Orpik was thrown to the ice and punched repeatedly in the head by Shawn Thornton.  Orpik remained motionless on the ice and required a stretcher to leave the arena en route to a hospital. Penguins officials stated that Orpik was conscious and able to answer questions while in a Boston Hospital. With Rob Scuderi, Beau Bennett, and Paul Martin already on injured reserve, and Evgeni ... Read More

Facing the powerful San Jose Sharks, riding a six game winning streak and owners of the second best record in the Western Conference should have been tough task for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Instead, the challenge may have revealed a heart and character that has often been dormant. Maybe it was the return of pesky Chuck Kobasew after missing 17 games. Maybe it was a line-up, which was forced to rely on unheralded Jason Megna as a second line center and Andrew Ebbets and Chris Conner, two aging ... Read More