A few months back, we had asked the question of whether the Penguins lack grit heading into the season. While this club could still use some of that intangible as we inch closer to the playoffs, Deryk Engelland has proven that he will answer the bell when push comes to shove. Last month, we rated Engelland as one of the ten best fighters in Penguins history. In 2011, former NHL enforcer Jim Thomson selected Engelland as the best fighter in the NHL, calling him, "the hardest puncher by ... Read More

Nestled amongst the flurry of trades Pens GM and resident wizard of Pittsburgh Ray Shero pulled off last year was bringing in Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen. When he was traded Jokinen was on the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate and had been placed on waivers multiple times but drew no interest. Showing foresight would make the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi jealous Ray Shero pulled the trigger on a deal that put Jokinen in black and gold while only giving up what equated to high five and a half eaten ... Read More

If Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin play in the Olympics as they did against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night, goaltender Ryan Miller might want to stay home. Crosby and Malkin each had a goal and an assist while Harry Zolnierczyk, James Neal and Brian Gibbons each added a goal as the Penguins defeated the Sabres 5-1 in Buffalo. The Sabres came out flying in the first period and took the lead on Drew Stafford's ninth goal of the season six minutes into the game.  Stafford jammed in a ... Read More

The Ottawa Senators have been climbing back towards the playoff race over the past month and had an opportunity to move into eight place with a win in Pittsburgh on Monday. Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins wouldn't let that happen. James Neal's goal in overtime gave Pittsburgh their league-leading 23rd home win of the year and 79th and 80th points on the season. The Penguins heavily outshot the Senators 48-25 in the contest, but Craig Anderson closed the door on multiple occasions. ... Read More

Trades are a coin flip for general managers. Some trades work out while others do not.  That being said, rental players are not the solution for this club, as we saw last year how that worked out. If the Penguins are going to pull the trigger on a trade or two, these players must be under contract for the foreseeable future. However, the Penguins are under zero pressure to make something happen here. This team isn't struggling; they're not grinding for a playoff spot; they're simply looking for ... Read More

By any measure, the Pittsburgh Penguins are having a tremendous season. They are flirting with the league’s best record. They are nearly unstoppable at home, with a 22-4 record at Consol Energy Center. For most of the season, they have maintained a double-digit lead in the Patrick Divi– I mean the Atlantic…well, the Metropolitan Division. They have done all this despite a crippling run of injuries that has affected nearly the entire roster. But there’s a strange unease that hovers over every ... Read More