Pens – Leafs Post Game Reactions & Analysis: Pens storm back for 8th straight win

Pittsburgh 5 – Toronto 4 SO The Pittsburgh Penguins (29-17-4, 62 pts) rallied from a 4-1 third period deficit as Evgeni Malkin (27) scored with 6.6 seconds left in regulation and scored the lone goal in the shootout, leading the Penguins to a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs (25-19-6, 56 pts) on Tuesday night at Consol Energy Center. The victory was the Penguins 8th straight win and their fourth shootout win in their last six games. Marc Andre Fleury was excellent down the stretch stopping all three shooters in the shootout, earning his 27th win of the season. He made 35 saves on 39 shots. Pittsburgh stormed back in the third period in what was one of the most entertaining games

Sidney Crosby and GM Ray Shero Presser tidbits on independent specialist revealing Crosby has “soft-tissue” neck injury

The Pittsburgh Penguins revealed today that an independent specialist found that Sidney Crosby has a soft-tissue injury of the neck, that could be causing neurological symptoms. The Penguins though indicate that the independent specialist found no evidence of past or present fracture to Crosby’s vertebrae. Previous specialists who recently evaluated Crosby believed there was a possibility that Crosby had a fracture to C1 and C2 vertebrae. Dr. Robert Bray’s diagnosis last week revealed a fracture but Bray wanted to get a second opinion, according to GM Ray Shero. Shero during a joint press conference with Sidney Crosby, said all doctors involved were consulted in a conference call and all agreed that there was no fracture. The Penguins and Crosby hope

Latest Steelers Buzz: Haley regarded as a Rooney candidate of interest; Salary, Cap Hit rundown for 9 veterans in limbo

Hiring of Haley wouldn’t sit well with Roethlisberger Jim Caldwell took himself out of the running for the Steelers offensive coordinator position, informing head coach Mike Tomlin on Sunday afternoon that he was accepting the quarterbacks coaching position with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens made the move official on Monday. As I reported on Saturday, Caldwell interviewed with Steelers officials on Friday but left town Saturday without the Steelers making an offer or any contract discussions being established between the Steelers and Caldwell’s agent Dennis Coleman. Indications coming out of Caldwell’s camp is that they never got the feeling Caldwell was going to get the job and the fit just wasn’t there. While Mike Tomlin interviewed his top candidate over

Steelers LB coach Keith Butler Staying Put

Steelers linebackers coach (defensive coordinator in waiting) Keith Butler is staying put. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that Butler would be named the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator on Tuesday, but after meeting with Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II today, Butler has decided against joining the Colts organization, Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette reports Butler’s contract expires in two weeks and as of yesterday, he had yet to sign a new three year contract from the Steelers that has been on the table for two weeks now. It appears he will be doing so or has already. The new deal will make him one of the highest paid non-coordinator assistant coaches. Butler, 55, was told by the organization following

Nearing four week mark of injury, Staal back on ice for Pens

Penguins center Jordan Staal has been cleared to begin skating and is going through individual drills this afternoon. Staal recovering from a grade III MCL tear, is nearing the four week mark of his injury. The original timeframe for Staal’s injury was 4-6 weeks and he’s believed to remain on par with that timetable

Steelers likely to lose defensive coordinator in waiting Keith Butler to the Colts

Linebackers coach Keith Butler was promised the Steelers defensive coordinator position following the 2009 season with Butler and Tomlin having a handshake agreement that the transition would happen after the 2010 season. That never came to fruition and Dick LeBeau has showed no interest once again this off-season in retiring.

Visits to Independent doctors orchestrated by Sidney Crosby’s camp, reveal Crosby likely had two fractured vertebrae

Frustrations from Crosby’s camp with Pens medical team has been on-going for weeks The Sidney Crosby situation took another big twist tonight and it involves what appears to be a mis-diagnosis from the Penguins medical staff. However, there is some good news (optimism) at the end of today’s unexpected developments. First, onto the bad or so called disturbing news at another medical issue for Crosby not being detected by the team: While Crosby for weeks has searched for answers regarding his motion and balance issues, a fractured vertebrae is believed to have went completely unnoticed by team doctors for several weeks. Bob McCown of Sportsnet 590 The Fan first reported today that Crosby became concerned about the treatment he was receiving in Pittsburgh,

Source: Jim Caldwell met with Steelers officials on Friday

Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell met with Steelers officials on Friday, sources confirm to Inside Pittsburgh Sports. Caldwell is under consideration for the Steelers offensive coordinator position but how serious of a candidate he is remains to be seen Caldwell spent yesterday and this morning in Pittsburgh, but Caldwell left town this afternoon without being offered a contract or terms being discussed between the Steelers and Caldwell’s rep Dennis Coleman, according to a source close to the situation. The Steelers had been expected to interview 2-3 candidates outside the organization. Quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner remains the leading in-house candidate and is the direction Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger hopes the Steelers go. While Caldwell met with Steelers brass Friday afternoon, it’s

Evgeni Malkin selected 5th overall in NHL All-Star Player Draft

Evgeni Malkin (26G-32A-58PTS) the NHL’s leading scorer was selected 5th overall by Team Chara (3rd pick) in the NHL All Star player draft. Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk went 1st overall, selected by Team Chara. Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson went 2nd overall (Team Alfredsson). Malkin’s teammate Kris Letang went 10th overall in the 5th round to Team Alfredsson, giving the Penguins two players selected among the top-10 picks. James Neal, the NHL’s second leading goal scorer with 27 goals, went to Team Alfredsson with the 28th overall pick in the 14th round.