Recent Posts
Jagr’s Proving That You Can Go Home Again
Jaromir Jagr is not the same guy who made his first trip to Pittsburgh in 1990. The mullet that became something of a trademark for him when he was a teenager is long gone, replaced by a more businesslike hairstyle. And there are more than a few strands of gray on his head these days. […]
Devils Fire Ruff; Travis Green Interim Coach
The New Jersey Devils made a major move as the NHL trade deadline approached, but the Devils didn’t add — or trade — a player. Instead, they have fired coach Lindy Ruff and replaced him, on an interim basis, with associate coach Green. The move was announced by New Jersey’s president/GM Tom Fitzgerald, who broke […]
Penguins Six-Pack: Letang’s Redemption; Roughing it With Pettersson
When they are at their best, the Pittsburgh Penguins can beat any team in the NHL. And when they are not, they still seem to be able to defeat Montreal. This season, anyway. Despite a rather uneven performance, the Penguins completed a sweep of the season series with the Canadiens with a 4-1 victory at […]
Pointless in Seattle: No Comeback for Penguins in 2-0 Loss
The Pittsburgh Penguins had been forced to play from behind in three consecutive games before they visited Seattle Thursday night. Each time, they’d found a way to rally and grab a victory. So when the Kraken got the first goal at Climate Pledge Arena, the Penguins probably weren’t overly concerned. Especially not when they had […]
Penguins Grades: New Sad Reality on Display vs. Bruins
BOSTON — It was kind of sad, really. After some pathetic performances over the past week, which we now know was aided by the inside knowledge that Jake Guentzel was being traded and the team felt the gnawing disappointment of their GM waiving the white flag (which he wisely did), the Pittsburgh Penguins put forth […]
PHN Postgame Q&A: So Many Mistakes; Move Malkin to Wing?
Try as they might Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins could not overcome themselves or the New York Islanders, losing in overtime 5-4 at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins’ second and third lines with Malkin and Lars Eller, respectively, were especially good. However, the mistakes on defense were too much. The power play was 0-for-3 and yielded […]
Penguins Practice: Sullivan Overhauls Lines, Defense Pairings
CRANBERRY — Mike Sullivan made some significant personnel changes during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex Monday. The top line, with Sidney Crosby between Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, remained intact, but most of the other lines and defense pairings were scrambled. Here are the the lines and pairings from the workout: […]
Penguins Postgame: Backstory to Loss; Now the Trade Deadline (+)
EDMONTON, Alberta — The Pittsburgh Penguins were no match for themselves or the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night. Edmonton steamrolled the Penguins 6-1 at Rogers Place, marking both the beginning and end of multiple Penguins storylines. The Penguins locker room must continue to believe they are in the playoff chase. President of hockey operations/GM Dubas is […]
Penguins’ Malkin Gets Honest: I Know I’m Not Flying Like Before
Perhaps Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin isn’t as stubborn or as blind to his level of play as some critics believe. And there are many critics – just take a stroll through social media. Malkin, affectionately known as “Geno” throughout a stellar NHL career that is in its 18th season, is well aware that he […]
Penguins Room: Players in Awe, Jagr ‘Inspiration’ Changes Dynamic (+)
The Pittsburgh Penguins practiced Saturday. They’ve lost three of four games and slipped perilously behind others in the playoff chase. Still, none of that was the news that gripped a couple of thousand fans who packed into the UPMC Lemieux Complex to watch practice or the fans in absentia who were glued to social media. […]
Penguins Hoping Phillips Comes Up Big for Their Offense
Shortly before 2 p.m. Friday, Matthew Phillips was a spare part with the Washington Capitals, with only the formality of clearing waivers appearing to separate him from a trip to the American Hockey League. Minutes later, his itinerary — and his life — changed. By 11 p.m., he was in a new town, working for […]
Happy Penguins Room: Smiling Players, Proud Coach After OT Win
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Pittsburgh Penguins locker room had more than a few smiles and relieved faces. The Penguins fought back from 2-0 in the second period and 3-2 in the third to become just the fifth team to erase a third-period deficit against the Vancouver Canucks in a 4-3 overtime win. Sidney Crosby […]
Jaromir Jagr Joins Penguins Practice … in Full Gear!
CRANBERRY — The security line to enter the Pittsburgh Penguins practice was to the front door and growing. On Jaromir Jagr weekend, the great 68 himself made an unscheduled visit to the Penguins practice facility and word spread. And spread. But that was only a prelude to what will probably be the most fun story […]
Penguins Grades: Toxic Power Play, Inexplicable Mistakes Crushing Season
Like peanut butter and jelly, Sidney Crosby and backhand goals, and Jaromir Jagr and a mullet, the Pittsburgh Penguins and self-inflicted losses with a sabotaging power play have become synonymous. Unlike the former examples, the latter is suffocating what was supposed to be a promising season. Nevermore was a greater microcosm of the Penguins’ season […]
Rivalry Renewed; Penguins Game 61 vs. Capitals: Lines, Notes & How to Watch
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ game Thursday against the visiting Washington Capitals won’t lack for drama. There’ s the usual matchup between future Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin when these longtime rivals meet. There’s also the tension surrounding both teams heading into Friday’s NHL trade deadline. Perhaps at the top of the list, though, […]
Top 3 Trade Spots for Jake Guentzel; Potential Returns
We have reached that unfortunate hour in which Jake Guentzel is on the NHL trade block, and bidders are waving numbered placards in hopes of landing the scoring winger who has not only supported center Sidney Crosby better than any winger in Crosby’s career but also elevated Crosby’s game. It seems everyone is coming to […]