Held to 1 Goal, Penguins blown out of the building again in a back-to-back

Jets 7 – Penguins 1 Starting your No. 1 goaltender in back-to-back games this early in the season isn’t always ideal and it sure back fired on Mike Sullivan and his staff. Matt Murray was pulled 18:07 into the game, allowing 4 goals on nine shots as the Penguins disastrous play in the second night of a back-to-back continued in a 7-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night. Things continued to spiral seconds after Murray was yanked. Down 4-0 with a 1:53 left in the first period, Casey DeSmith entered the game for his NHL debut and eight seconds later Blake Wheeler scored his third of the night at 18:15 of the period to put the Jets up

Rumors: Penguins were involved in serious trade talks with Sharks prior to Sheahan deal

Latest NHL Buzz — Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet got a 4 year deal worth $1.75 million per season and he was an ownership hire. Even if the losing continues, now 0-10-1 on the season, he’s likely safe from Barry Melrose territory of getting fired 16 games in on the first year of a job. The Coyotes, though, are beyond just a mess right now. What a few scouts say is the Coyotes are playing at a faster pace under Tocchet than last year, but there hasn’t been a more poorly structured team and lack of hockey IQ on the ice as a whole in years than what evaluators have seen from the Coyotes this season. For significant stretches the

On the Penguins: Electric Phil, Matt Murray, 1-Goal Games

Mr. 300 Back-to-Back 2-1 overtime wins for the Pittsburgh Penguins and back-to-game game winning overtime goals from Phil Kessel. Kessel scored a breakaway goal 1:07 into overtime to lift the Penguins to a 2-1 OT win over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. [hide] Phil scored career goal No. 300 and a second straight OT winner – and he did it all himself. @EASPORTSNHL pic.twitter.com/Z5z8v8qS00 — NHL (@NHL) October 27, 2017 [/hide] Kessel’s OT winner was the 300th goal of his career, becoming the 19th American born player to hit 300 career goals. Along with Zach Parise (318 goals), Kessel is among two active American born players with 300 goals. Meanwhile, Kessel is the 7th American born player who has

Penguins – Oilers Fallout: Lazer focused group had playoff feel

Penguins 2 – Oilers 1 (OT) A big reason the Penguins have won back-to-back Stanley Cups and why they’ll be right in the mix of things for a third straight Cup, is how this group can throw bad losses out the window. As the last two postseasons had shown, you can get the Penguins on their heels, take them to seven games, but beating Pittsburgh four out of seven times is a daunting task. This might not be as deep of a team in the bottom-6 as previous seasons, but it’s likely going to be a similar situation come April and May. We’re already seeing some glimpses of it this season of the Penguins ability to bounce back from very

Florida claims Antti Niemi

Antti Niemi is officially no longer a Pittsburgh Penguin and gets to stay in the NHL. [hide] While the Penguins had little expectations Niemi would be claimed, the Florida Panthers have put in a surprise claim for Niemi. Roberto Luongo injured his finger Friday night vs the Penguins and could miss significant time. If Niemi had been unclaimed, his camp informed the Penguins late Monday night he would not report to Wilkes Barre, per a source.[/hide]

Casey DeSmith the New No. 2 Goaltender + Latest on Antti Niemi

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled goaltender Casey DeSmith from Wilkes Barre/Scranton. DeSmith, 26, is joining an NHL roster for the first time in his career. He is 3-0-0 with an 0.98 GAA and .965 save percentage on the season. Last season DeSmith went 26-7-3 with a 1.92 GAA and .929 save percentage. Entrenched the new No. 2 goaltender for the short-term, DeSmith was the expected callup with management intending to stick with the initial plan of Tristan Jarry staying in minors, at least for most of the season. This week Pittsburgh plays four games over six nights with the next back-to-back on the weekend with Pittsburgh @ Minnesota on Saturday and @ Winnipeg on Sunday. The team placed Antti Niemi

Pens await word from Niemi camp on whether he would report to WBS

Riley Sheahan to make Debut vs Oilers Newly acquire center Riley Sheahan will make his Penguin debut Tuesday night vs the Edmonton Oilers. Sheahan in Monday’s practice moved into Greg McKegg’s spot as the third line center, working between Carl Hagelin and Patric Hornqvist. In Hagelin, Sheahan has a player on his wing with needed speed and the line should be an effective group on the forecheck. Sheahan is noted for being an instinctive fore-checker. What the line, though, might be lacking is a player who can create individual high danger scoring chances. Injury Buzz [hide] –Penguins center Carter Rowney did not practice today and early indications are he could miss some time. Mike Sullivan didn’t elaborate much but said

Antti Niemi placed on waivers just 3 starts into tenure as a Penguin

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has seen enough of Antti Niemi (0-3, 7.49 GAA, .797 SV%). The Penguins today placed the 33 year old netminder on waivers. In three starts Niemi has allowed 16 goals in 128:08. While some may say Niemi has been a victim of circumstance, every game Niemi’s started has been in the second night of a back-to-back, lit up for 4 goals in just 9:16 against the Blackhawks on 10/5, allowing 5 goals on 34 shots against the Lightning on 10/12 and then the dagger was Saturday night in a 7-1 loss to the Lightning. However, a primary reason the Penguins patience had been running thin with Niemi is how he looks in games — is how

Analysis: Penguins haven’t likely solved their bottom-6 center hole

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired center Riley Sheahan and a 2018 fifth round pick from the Detroit Red Wings in-exchange for winger Scott Wilson and a 2018 third round pick. Sheahan, 25, carries a $2.075 million cap hit. Sheahan has 0 points in eight games this season with just 5 shots on goal. He’s a big bodied center at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds with good defensive instincts but struggles to create his own offense. The 25 year old forward had 2 goals and 13 points in 80 games last season. He is a minus-29 over his last 88 regular season with just 2 goals during that span to show for. In his career Sheahan has 38 goals and 98 points in

Malkin, Kessel breakout with with Big Night’s in “ugly win” over Rangers

Malkin, Kessel were engaged from the start, Cap off wild win The Pittsburgh Penguins played one really good period in storming out to a 2-0 first period lead on goals from Phil Kessel (2) and Carl Hagelin (1). [hide] Pittsburgh then followed that up with two bad periods, highlighted by undisciplined play and poor transition defense, yet, came away with a 5-4 overtime win as Evgeni Malkin sealed the win with his 11th career OT goal. “It was an ugly win, but it’s a win,” coach Mike Sullivan said as the Penguins improved to 4-2-1. “We know we have to improve and get better in a lot of areas.” Pittsburgh squandered a 2-0 lead early in the second period as