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Eric Godard was informed on Saturday that he would return to the lineup Sunday night against Toronto and the likely candidate to be scratched on Sunday appeared to be Max Talbot but Dan Bylsma opted to sit Tyler Kennedy who has 0 goals in 12 games. By making Kennedy a healthy scratch, Bylsma is sending a message in the hopes of jumpstarting Kennedy’s game. *Pittsburgh is 4-for-10 on the power play in their last two games. While three of the goals came in Wednesday’s 8-2 rout, the Penguins have shown more movement and creativity of late. However, for their power play to become consistent in the long run, they’re going to need some kind of production from Kris Letang (1

Canes earn first road win; Malkin becoming too much of a playmaker?

Post-Game Notebook Manny Legace made 30 saves and the Carolina Hurricanes (7-17-5) picked up their first road win of the season, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins (20-10-1) 3-2 Monday night at Mellon Arena. The win snapped a 13 game road winless streak for the Hurricanes as Legace improved his career record against Pittsburgh to 4-0. For one of the rare times this season, the Hurricanes played the type of game that got them to the Eastern Conference Finals last spring. At least they did in the first and third periods. Andrew Alberts and Jussi Jokinen scored in the first to put the Hurricanes up 2-0 and Ray Whitney scored 2:26 into the second period as the Canes jumped out to a

Wednesday’s Ice Report: Frolov linked to Hurricanes

Inside the NHL *Despite growing friction with management, the Los Angeles Kings won’t just give away Alexander Frolov but he’s a problem they would like to get rid of. If Frolov is going to be dealt in the next couple weeks, it’s going to be to the Carolina Hurricanes, sources tell me. Kings GM Dean Lombardi and Jim Rutherford are close friends and have dealt with each other on a number of occasions over the past couple seasons. Carolina has been very active in trade talks and have targeted Frolov. Rutherford has been given the “OK” to add more salary if needed and ownership is not ready to give up on the season. But, if this deal doesn’t go down

Penguins complete 4-0 road trip; beat Canes 3-2 in a shootout

Penguins beat Hurricanes 3-2 in a shootout So much for a Stanley Cup hangover in Pittsburgh. The defending Stanley Cup Champions completed a perfect 4-0 road trip beating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in a shootout Wednesday night at the RBC Center. Pittsburgh jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Michael Rupp (1) and Evgeni Malkin (3) but Hurricanes winger Ray Whitney scored twice in the third period to force over-time. After a scoreless overtime, the shootout went 6 rounds and became a battle between star goaltenders Marc Andre Fleury and Cam Ward. Marc Andre Fleury came out on top as Chris Kunitz who was the Penguins 6th shooter netted the shooutout winner with a wrist shot 13 feet

Malkin may not even finish 2nd in Hart Trophy voting; Kotalik a player of interest?

Conn Smythe Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin has arrived in Las Vegas for Thursday’s NHL Awards Show. Malkin is up for the Hart Trophy which is awarded to the league’s Most Valuable Player. Despite leading the league in scoring , Malkin may not even finish second in voting for the Hart Trophy. Internal polling has showed Alex Ovechkin will be the clear cut winner with Pavel Datsyuk possibly being the runner-up. Prior to the playoffs, we polled three Western Conference Writers on the M.V.P. Debate After the act Malkin and Ovechkin put on during the All-Star game, the two did not speak during the second round series between the Penguins and Capitals. Updated Free Agency Chart – New updates on Marty

Penguins advance to the Stanley Cup Finals; beat Canes 4-1

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are headed back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second consecutive year. Ruslan Fedotenko and Max Talbot each scored first period goals and Bill Guerin scored at 12:10 of the second period as the Penguins jumped out to a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. Marc Andre Fleury made 30 saves and Craig Adams added an empty net goal as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 Tuesday night at the RBC Center to complete a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes and earn a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Pittsburgh becomes the first team since the 1984 Edmonton Oilers to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, the year after losing

Penguins not looking ahead as they look to close out the series tonight

Pittsburgh leads series, 3-0 The Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins each went through their final preparations this morning for game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Pittsburgh was loose and looked like a team that is up 3-0 in a series. Based on what we’re hearing and the rotation of seven defensemen during the morning skate, Philippe Boucher will be in the lineup tonight and the Penguins will dress seven defensemen for the seventh consecutive game. Pittsburgh has won 5 of six games when dressing seven defensemen in the playoffs. If Pittsburgh wins tonight they will become the first team since the 1984 Edmonton Oilers to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, the year after losing in the finals. Carolina

Monday’s Practice Report; Penguins prepare for game 4 of the East Finals

The Pittsburgh Penguins just concluded their afternoon practice as the team prepares for game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday night. After going through an optional practice Sunday afternoon, the Penguins went through a full squad practice today. Up 3-0 in the series, the Penguins are focused on ending the series Tuesday night and earning their second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Lines in practice were Kunitz – Crosby – Guerin Fedotenko – Malkin – Talbot Cooke – Staal – Kennedy Dupuis – Adams – Satan Winning 5 of 6 games when dressing seven defensemen, it is unlikely that head coach Dan Bylsma will alter his lineup. According to my source on the scene the Penguins went

Penguins transition game clicking on all cylinders

The Penguins have scored 13 goals in their last two games, the Hurricanes have no answers for the Penguins transition game as the Penguins have recorded 40+ shots in consecutive games and the Hurricanes have no answers for Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. It’s a recipe for disaster against an offensive team like the Penguins whose transition game fuels their offensive attack. The way the Hurricanes are being overmatched is similar to how the Penguins were overmatched in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings last spring At times the Canes have played the Penguins even, but the just like the Wings did, the better team pulls away late in games. The Latest

Ruutu participates in morning skate

Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu participated in Today’s morning skate and will be a game time decision for game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Ruutu, a 26 goal scorer in the regular season, suffered an ankle injury in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals and did not play in game 2 Ruutu skated with Jussi Jokinen and Sergei Samsonov in the morning skating. Ruutu’s mobility and lateral movement looked good and he will likely give it a go unless he doesn’t suffer a setback this afternoon.