How good are the Pittsburgh Penguins right now? Good enough to win their tenth straight game despite missing arguably two of the best players in the league. Last year's league MVP, Evgeni Malkin, missed his sixth straight game while Kris Letang, the league leader in points among defensemen and Norris Trophy candidate, sat out with a lower body injury suffered on Sunday. Letang still holds a five point lead over Ryan Suter for top scoring defenseman, but the Penguins still found a way to ... Read More
The trade deadline and the Pittsburgh Penguins, two weeks out
The NHL's GM meetings take place in Toronto this week, starting Wednesday, and there could be some movement on the trade front by the weekend as a result. As Elliotte Friedman, among others, reported yesterday, prices for trade pieces are extremely high due to over 80% of the league still currently in contention for a playoff spot. As bad as the Washington Capitals have played -currently sitting in 13th place in the East- they are only six points out from the 8th seed. Meanwhile, in the ... Read More
Beau Bennett a proven Winger
As Beau Bennett ripped a slap-shot past Henrik Lundqvist on Saturday, it made me realize that the Penguins made the right move in sticking with this kid. Really that was just the cherry on top so to say of reasons to keep him in a Penguins’ uniform for the rest of the season. Bennett is just a 21 year old kid who is turning out to be a pleasant surprise this season. Coming into this season there was some worrying being done by Penguins fans as to who the wingers were going to be for Sidney ... Read More
Fleury’s franchise-record shutout leads the way in 3-0 victory over New York
As Dan Bylsma would say, eight is better than seven. Behind Marc-Andre Fleury the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to notch their eighth straight win, defeating the New York Rangers 3-0 at Consol Energy Center, Saturday afternoon. The Penguins dominated the opening period, got a lead, then locked down the Rangers in the final two periods. Rookie forward, Beau Bennett, got the Penguins on the board just 1:30 into the game with his second goal of the season. Tyler Kennedy chipped the puck ... Read More
Yinzer of the Week: Chris Kunitz
For the second week in a row, the Penguins winger has been lights out on the ice. After his great performance last week, he was right back at it again this week, leading the Pens to four wins from Saturday to Friday. This week, Kunitz netted four of his eight shot attempts and added four assists for a total of eight points in four games. His best game of the week came on Sunday against the New York Islanders. He notched a hat trick on the night, scoring three goals and added two assists. He ... Read More
Super Duper! Pens win 3-1 behind Dupuis’s pair
For the second consecutive game the Pittsburgh Penguins went into the third period without a goal and trailing. And for the second consecutive game they emerged with victory. Pascal Dupuis scored twice in five minutes, Craig Adams added an empty netter, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves as the Penguins came back to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1, Thursday night. Both teams seemed wary of taking offensive chances to start the game resulting in a 0-0 tie heading into the first ... Read More
NHL needs to name new divisions after legends
It's been rumored for awhile and hockey fans have been awaiting confirmation that realignment will take place. The NHL Board of Governors have agreed to the proposed realignment plan. In case you're wondering, it actually does make sense this time. No more Winnipeg in the East (poor guys). No more Columbus in the West. That makes as much sense as Indianapolis being in the AFC South, right? The league is going to go with the realignment plan starting next year. The proposed plan has ... Read More
Snedden’s Take: Potpourri Madness
Due to circumstances beyond my control – a confluence of the flu, work, and late night World Baseball Classic games – Snedden’s Take took a brief one week hiatus last week. I appreciate all of the encouraging letters and email I received from my worldwide fan base, asking about my health and general wellness. Being the generous humanitarian I am, I sent every single one of those fans a personalized fruit basket. I hope you both received them and didn’t get sick from the spoiled mangos. In ... Read More
Is Clint Barmes the next Paul Martin?
As Sidney Crosby is once again putting any doubt aside that he's the best player in the world, there are a slew of Pens players that are making a name for themselves this year as well. James Neal has eight power play goals and is showing that last season was no fluke. The most shocking surprise - in hockey, not just Pittsburgh - is the play of Chris Kunitz. He currently leads the league in +/- at 22, is third in points with 37 and second in goals with18. Chris Kunitz people. On a team with ... Read More
The Pittsburgh Housewife has Sutter Fever
The Pens played the Boston Bruins Tuesday night. After their last game, I was ready! As the game started and the first period ended, my hopes sunk. I was upset, so I did what came natural; I went out to my kitchen and baked four dozen cookies. Yup, I made four dozen cookies at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday. That was enough to take up the scoreless second period. I did what any woman would do. I grabbed my bottle of wine and a handful of cookies ready to throw a pity party. The third period ticked ... Read More