The Latest Penguins Buzz

Evgeni Malkin scored on the power play at 1:36 of overtime to give the Penguins a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. The win moved the Penguins (68 pts) within one point of the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Chris Kunitz appeared in his first game in a Penguins uniform. Kunitz recorded 1 goal & 1 assist, playing a total of 18:36, including 4:20 on the power play. Kunitz also led the Penguins in hits with 4. Kunitz was physical and aggressive. Kunitz showed good chemistry with Jordan Staal.

The Penguins gave up four goals again but Marc Andre made 41 saves on 45 shots. In the first 10 minutes of the third period, the Hawks had the Penguins on their heels and Fleury came up big to hold off the Blackhawks during that sequence as the shots were 8-0 Hawks at one point.

According to a source who spoke to Sidney Crosby alone on Friday, “Crosby expressed concern about his groin problem. He said it was slightly better when he tested it today, but it wasn't nearly game-ready. Crosby didn't know whether he would return for the next game but he didn't sound optimistic. He's officially listed as day-to-day still”.

The Penguins believe they now have two potential top 6 wingers in their system with the addition of Eric Tangradi. Luca Caputi (6 foot 3) and Eric Tangradi (6 foot 4) are power forward type of players which is what Penguins management is looking for to build around after what the Penguins lost in free agency.

Shero is already receiving calls about Tangradi from rival GM’s

I’m told the Penguins realize the mistake they made in constructing this team during the off-season, and it is a primary goal at the trade deadline to add more grit and toughness in the lineup for the short-term.

The new trade info on Jordan Staal is