Inside Look at the WBS Penguins who extend their winning streak to 8 games

WBS Penguins 6 – Hershey 2 The Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins extended their winning streak to eight games, defeating the Hershey Bears 6-2 on Saturday night. John Curry made 30 saves to earn the win and improve to 4-0 on the season. The Penguins have emerged as a top contender in the American Hockey League and through eight game, have earned three victories against Hershey who are a power house in the AHL. This is an extremely deep team with a handful of veteran players who have NHL experience and several prospects who are on the verge of being NHL ready and who are and would be in the NHL if they weren’t in the Penguins system. Chris Conner (2) led

Johnson leads Penguins to 3-0 shutout win

Post-Game Notes The Penguins put together a total team effort, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 on Saturday night, ending a three game skid. A sixty minute effort is something the team has been stressing, especially after Friday’s 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers. — Tonight’s win started with goaltender Brent Johnson. The 33 year old net minder was outstanding, making 33 saves to earn his 14th career NHL shutout. It was Johnson’s first shutout since April 1, 2006. When the Penguins needed a big save, they got it from Johnson who was excellent in all areas of his game, showing great poise and composure. Johnson entered tonight’s game ranked second in the league in goals-against average and save percentage. He was

Pens @ Canes: Malkin out, Godard in; Johnson in goal

Penguins (5-5-1) @Hurricanes (5-4-0) 6:57 p.m. – Evgeni Malkin will sit out tonight’s game due to a right knee injury. The Penguins were pretty optimistic Malkin would be able to play and Dan Bylsma said a few hours before warmups that things were looking good for Malkin to play but after testing his injured knee in warmups, Malkin won’t be able to play. Enforcer Eric Godard will return to the lineup in place of Malkin. Pens Lineup Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis Asham – Letestu – Comrie Cooke – Talbot – Kennedy Rupp – Adams – Godard D-Pairs Orpik – Engelland Martin – Letang Goligoski – Lovejoy Starting Goaltender: Brent Johnson From Earlier: 2:40 p.m. The Penguns and Hurricanes both

Why has Malkin’s goal scoring production plummeted since 2007-2008 season?

We are only 11 games into the season but it is concerning to some that Evgeni Malkin is on pace for a 22 goal season. Widely regarded inside the organization as the Penguins best pure goal scorer, Malkin’s goal scoring production has plummeted since a 47 goal season in 2007-2008 under former head coach Michel Therrien. 2006-2007: | 33 Goals | 2007-2008: | 47 Goals | 2008-2009: | 35 goals | 2009-2010: | 28 goals | 2010-2011: | 3 goals in 11 games | Just a few seasons ago, Malkin had the look of a player who was going to be a perennial 45+ goal player and one league observer I spoke with this week feels Malkin should be in

Frustrated Pens looking for answers

The Pittsburgh Penguins dropped their third game in a row Friday night, a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at the Consol Energy Center. Friday night’s loss was the same story, squandered opportunities and the inability to play a sixty minute game. The game opened up with some nastiness, as Matt Cooke and Mike Richards squared off just 6 seconds into the game and 17 seconds later, Deryk Engelland gave the national hockey league another glimpse of why he’s establishing himself as one of the best fighters in the game, winning a decisive bout against Flyers heavyweight enforcer Jody Shelly, bloodying Shelly’s left eye and taking down yet another top enforcer in the league. According to Rob Rossi of the

Trai Essex regains starting job; Keisel out; McLendon to be added to roster

Steelers Friday Notes *Defensive end Brett Keisel did not practice for a third straight day due to a sore hamstring. Keisel will not play this weekend against the New Orleans Saints. Coming into the week, Keisel was believed to be a week away from playing, so his absence is not a shock. 2009 1st round Ziggy Hood will make his first career start at left defensive end in place of the injured Aaron Smith. Nick Eason will start at right defensive end for the second straight week. *Linebacker LaMarr Woodley practiced for the second straight day and will be in the starting lineup. It remains to be seen if Woodley gets through the entire game. *Right guard Trai Essex has

Bylsma Tidbits: Hasn’t given up on Comrie & says team lacks an identity

A few notes from Dan Bylsma this morning *Bylsma appears to be very high on Arron Asham’s versatility in the lineup. He has talked about it several times in the past couple days and said today that he liked what he saw from Arron in regards to a physicality standpoint when he skated with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Asham’s ability to provide a physical presence and win battles in the corners, something Mike Comrie lacks is a big reason for the Penguins moving Asham up in the lineup tonight. *Speaking of Comrie, he will skate on the 4th line tonight and Dan Bylsma was pressed this morning if he has given up on Comrie.

Pens’ Morning Skate Report: Asham elevated to 2nd line

Morning Skate Updates The Pittsburgh Penguins (5-4-1) meet the Philadelphia Flyers (4-4-1) today for the third time this month. Both teams split the two games with each team winning on the road. Penguins injured center Jordan Staal was the first player on the ice this morning, shooting pucks from the high slot. For those wondering or asking, Staal won’t be playing this weekend. Lineup News Changes on the Penguins top-2 lines as Arron Asham has been elevated to the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Mark Letestu. Forward Mike Comrie has been demoted to the 4th line. Comrie though will stay in the lineup as Eric Godard is still dealing with the elements of an illness. Godard is not participating

Penguins, Flyers square off for the third time this month

Penguins Game Day Pittsburgh Penguins (5-4-1) @ Philadelphia Flyers (4-4-1) When: OCT 29, 2010 | Where: Consol Energy Center Philadelphia and Pittsburgh square off for the third time in the first three weeks of the season. Separated by two points in the standings, the teams have split their first two matchups. Sidney Crosby had two goals and an assist in their last meeting, a 5-1 win October 16 in Philadelphia. Brent Johnson made 29 saves on 30 shots to secure the win. Marc-Andre Fleury, coming off a four-goal losing effort Wednesday in Tampa, will get his second start in a row. Previous Matchups PENGUINS VS FLYERS October 7, CONSOL Energy Center Flyers Win 3-2 Goals – Kennedy, Goligoski Goalie –