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
Pens hold off Devils behind Marc-Andre Fleury
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
Evolution of hockey toughness
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
Pens lock down Blue Jackets
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
James Neal suspended for 5 games
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
Attention, Mr. Shero
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
Pens lose late; Orpik leaves on stretcher
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
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
Pens score four in the second period to down Sharks
No Malkin? No problem. With the hottest scorer in the league out of the lineup with a lower body injury, the Pittsburgh Penguins destroyed the San Jose Sharks 5-1, Thursday night. The Sharks, boasting a 19-3-5 record and six consecutive victories, were shut down by Marc-Andre Fleury and allowed four goals in the opening seven and a half minutes of the second period. San Jose was strong early on, dominating zone time in the first half of the first period. But Fleury was up the task, ... Read More
Is winning a bad thing?
The Penguins have won four straight, are 19-9-1 and have the game’s best two players. It's no mystery why the Pittsburgh Penguins are currently the odds-on favorite to win the Stanley Cup, paying 7-1. They’re an astounding 3-1 favorite to win the Eastern Conference. These Penguins are winners, right? I wouldn’t touch that bet. Not a single dollar. For these Pittsburgh Penguins, winning is not curing all ills; it is masking them. The Penguins are not winning because they’re a ... Read More