Source: Penguins feel Evander Kane can be had; Ladd The Top Target?
Andrew Ladd Penguins Top Target? There is certainly some buzz building about a potential block buster trade coming to fruition between the Penguins and Jets in the coming weeks/months.
James Neal leads the NHL in points per game/ Team Canada Chatter
James Neal’s hat trick and five point night vs the Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday night, powered the Penguins to a 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Neal’s big night really magnified the special season he is having, despite missing 20 games. Neal has 14 goals and 30 points in 21 games. It’s a 55 goal, 117 point pace over 82 games and Neal’s 1.43 points per game is the top mark in the NHL, ahead of Sidney Crosby who is second in the NHL with 1.41 points per game. Neal has been overlooked by many for a spot on Team Canada and while Canada’s roster is pretty much all set, is there a better pure goal scorer among potential
As Steelers luck ran out, team will draft 15th in 2014 draft and the focus should be on a WR
The Steelers luck officially ran out Sunday night. The perfect storm was so close to happening but Ryan Succop was wide right on a potential game-winning 41-yard field goal try with 4 seconds left in regulation that would have sunk the Chargers and sent the Steelers to the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Steelers, the refs missed that the Chargers clearly had seven men on the line to the left of the Chiefs snapper, which should have resulted in a five yard penalty and a chance for Succop to re-kick, this time from just 36 yards. The league announced today that a penalty should have been called and it just wasn’t meant to be for the Steelers as an Eric Weddle
Sixth seed in AFC will be Chargers or Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have needed a miracle these last two weeks to make the playoffs and they might still get it. All eyes are now on the San Diego Chargers as the Sixth seed in the AFC will be the Chargers or Steelers. The Steelers took care of business defeating the Cleveland Browns and the Steelers got the help they needed in the 1:00 pm games to stay alive as the Jets beat the Dolphins 20-7 and the Bengals beat the Ravens 34-17, despite four Andy Dalton turnovers. The bad news for the Steelers is that the Chiefs are sitting several players including QB Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles. Vegas has made the Chargers 14 point favorites.
Zatkoff goes for Penguins tonight; Scuderi ready to return
Penguins (28-11-1, 57 pts) @ Blue Jackets (17-17-4, 38 pts) — Tonight’s goaltending matchup features Jeff Zatkoff (6-2-0, 2.46 GAA, .912 sv %) vs Curtis McElhinney (6-5-1, 2.43 GAA, .921 sv%). Zatkoff has won six straight games and recorded his first career shutout vs the Blue Jackets on Nov 2. — Rob Scuderi has missed the last 29 games due to a broken ankle and appears likely to return to the lineup tonight. Scuderi has informed the coaching staff he is ready to play and when a veteran of Scuderi’s stature says he’s ready to play, it’s likely he will play. — Evgeni Malkin won’t play tonight but is getting close to returning. — Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma told
Penguins – Hurricanes Quick Hits: Neal’s Overtime winner lifts Penguins to 4-3 OT win
PENGUINS – HURRICANES QUICK HITS The Pittsburgh Penguins (28-11-1, 57 pts) returned from the Christmas break playing sloppy hockey but good teams find a way to beat inferior teams in games like this and that was the case tonight for the Penguins. James Neal’s (11) overtime goal lifted the Penguins to a 4-3 OT win over the Carolina Hurricanes ((14-15-9, 37 pts) on Friday night. Neal who bounced around from the second and first line throughout the game, added 2 assists in the win for his second three point game of the season. Sidney Crosby (21), Chris Conner (4) and Deryk Engelland (3) also scored. — Jussi Jokinen continues to haunt his former team that is paying $900,000 of his
Pre-Game Buzz: Glass, Engelland, & Orpik expected back in tonight vs Hurricanes
PRE-GAME BUZZ The Pittsburgh Penguins return from Christmas break tonight to face the Carolina Hurricanes with three regulars returning to the lineup, one regular out for the season and two getting very close to making their returns to the lineup.
Pascal Dupuis to have ACL surgery, likely out for rest of the season
The Pittsburgh Penguins have likely lost Pascal Dupuis for the season who will have ACL surgery in two weeks, according to the team. Dupuis was injured in Monday’s loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Penguins now have a big hole in the top-6 with Dupuis out and the uncertainty of whether Beau Bennett will be fully 100% for when he returns after the Olympic break. The injury will have a big impact on the Penguins plans leading up to deadline.
Players got it right in naming Antonio Brown Steelers Team MVP
The Big Ben – Antonio Brown Debate It’s no secret that Ben Roethlisberger is under appreciated by his teammates but Roethlisberger’s teammates got it right today in voting wide receiver Antonio Brown the Steelers Most Valuable Player. This marks the second time in Brown’s four-year career that he has received the honor. He becomes the 11th player in team history to be named Steelers’ Most Valuable Player on multiple occasions. Brown is having a truly special season with 101 receptions, 1,412 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He has recorded at least 5 receptions and 50 receiving yards in 15 straight games, a team record. Brown has also been a dynamic punt returner, averaging 13.4 yards per punt return. Despite
MORNING PENS BUZZ: On Bylsma, Dumoulin, Conner, Crosby, returns close for Scuderi, Oprik
MORNING PENS BUZZ The Pittsburgh Penguins are on pace for 119 points and the Penguins hot start as we near the 40 game mark clearly makes head coach Dan Bylsma an early front runner for coach of the year. Any coach could get this team to the post-season with the type of top tier talent the Penguins have but this might be Bylsma’s best coaching job from getting his team to buy into a more defensive structure by installing the left wing lock. The hope is that things stay on the current path defensively in April and May. It’s no secret that the Penguins organization over value the regular season and a reason I believe Bylsma is going to have