Once again the Buffalo Sabres faced the hottest team in the league on the road, and once again they emerged with a win. The effort was certainly better for the Pittsburgh Penguins who lost on April 2nd to the Sabres, snapping a 15 game winning streak, but Buffalo grinded out a win despite already being eliminated from playoff contention. Ryan Miller stopped 40 of 42 shots, earning the second star of the game and a win. The Penguins welcomed back Marc-Andre Fleury, Kris Letang, Evgeni ... Read More
Jokinen’s spark has ignited Penguins
If you would have told me before the season that with four games left that the Penguins’ number one center would be Jussi Jokinen, I would have said you were crazy. Then again, if you would have told me he would be the most productive player that got via trade this season I would have said the same thing. Well looking at the stats and everything you can make an argument that both those statements are true. With a healthy Penguin squad, though, he becomes your third or fourth best option ... Read More
Pens beat Sens 3-1 on “Hate Matt Cooke Day” in Ottawa
The Ottawa Senators did everything in their power to exact revenge on Matt Cooke for his hit on Erik Karlsson from earlier in the season. Unfortunately, they forgot to show up for the first 40 minutes of the game and ultimately fell to the Penguins 3-1, Monday night. Pairing the loss with a win by the Winnipeg Jets, the Senators now lead the 8th and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs by a point. All day, the Ottawa fan base held a "hate Matt Cooke" day on Twitter. Sens' owner, ... Read More
Yinzer of the Week: Brenden Morrow
With the win yesterday, the Penguins clinched home ice advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Despite being on the ice, the Pens have been on fire this season and have won 20 of their last 22 contests. This past week they went a perfect 3-0 and Brenden Morrow was a big part of that success. Morrow scored two goals on two different occasions this past week during the Pens three victories. Last Saturday, Morrow shot a perfect 100 percent, netting both of his shots, one of which was ... Read More
Penguins overcome emotional Bruins to clinch number one seed
The Pittsburgh Penguins hung in against a tough Boston Bruins team, playing in an arena full of emotional fans, and came away with a sixth straight victory. Thanks in large part to two power play goals in the third period, the Penguins exited Boston with a 3-2 victory and the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. The game was originally scheduled for yesterday but was postponed due to the second suspect of the Boston Marathon bombing still on the loose. The NHL rescheduled the game ... Read More
Morrow, Sutter each score a pair as Pens close in on top seed in the East
The Penguins are on such a roll, right now, it doesn't seem to matter who is missing from the lineup. Once again, Pittsburgh won in dominating fashion despite missing their two top players, top winger, and best defenseman. Instead, the trade acquisitions went to work and contributed six points and four of the Penguins' six goals. Brenden Morrow score two while Jarome Iginla and Douglas Murray each added a goal. Now, the magic number is four for the Penguins to clinch the top seed in the ... Read More
Can Malkin carry the Penguins?
The Penguins have injuries. A lot of injuries. Paul Martin, Sidney Crosby, and James Neal are all out for at least a week while Evgeni Malkin is listed as "day to day". Crosby will be back by the start of the playoffs, Neal could be back at any time, and Martin isn't due back until the second round of the playoffs. Malkin is listed as "day to day". It truly bears repeating because he is most likely the first player back and he's also the player everyone will turn to as the ... Read More
Depth could be Penguins strongest attribute
The Penguins have six games left and even with all of their injuries they have 64 points and are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference. They have made some quality moves over the last month and have one of the deepest teams in the NHL if not the deepest. The acquisitions of Brenden Morrow, Douglas Murray, Jarome Iginla, and Jussi Jokinen have added quality players to the Penguins lineup. They have a good problem to have when everybody comes back from injury, who deserves to play, ... Read More
Pens outmuscle Panthers in 3-1 victory
Before the start of the game, Evgeni Malkin was scratched with an upper body injury. The injury may have been sustained two nights before when Malkin took a huge hit into the boards. With the Penguins forced to play Florida without three of their top skill players, they turned to gritty forwards and punishing defense to grind out a 3-1 win, Saturday night. Pittsburgh outhit Florida 40-25 and ramped up the physicality as the game went on. Brooks Orpik had a crushing hit along the boards, ... Read More
Penguins score three power play goals, beat Lightning 6-3
On a night where Kris Letang made his return, the Pittsburgh Penguins capitalized on three power plays to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3. The Pens scored six goals on 41 shots on the night. The first period was relatively quiet, with then Pens scoring two goals early on. At the 15:53 mark, Jussi Jokenin scored on a 14 foot wristshot from Brendan Morrow. Just two minutes later, Pascal Dupuis scored the Pens first power play goal of the night on a 20 foot shot. The Lightning added a goal ... Read More