Post-Game Buzz: Penguins get a rare two goal game from Adams and excellent goaltending from Fleury in win

PENGUINS 3 – JETS 1 The Pittsburgh Pengins (10-5-0, 20 pts) got a rare two goal game from veteran checking line winger Craig Adams and Marc Andre Fleury was excellent in goal making 25 saves, leading the Penguins to a 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets (5-7-1, 11 pts) on Friday night, improving to 10-5-0, 20 pts, on the season. Adams scored at 3:19 of the first period to put the Penguins up 1-0 and added an empty net goal with 28 seconds left in the third as the Penguins earned their seventh road victory of the season. James Neal (11) also scored in the win. POST-GAME THOUGHTS When you can get a two goal game from Craig Adams you will

Penguins resign Craig Adams to a two year deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins have finalized a two year deal with veteran forward Craig Adams today. The deal runs through the 2012-2013 season and will pay Adams $675,000 per season and carry a cap hit of $675,000. Adams, 34, receives a $125,000 raise over his previous salary of $550,000. The two sides re-engaged in talks on Wednesday following the Penguins pro scouting meetings. Negotiations between Pens GM Ray Shero and agent Neil Sheehy began in May as Adams emerged as one of the Penguins top priorities this summer.

Guerin to play; Talbot a healthy scratch

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bill Guerin will play tonight as the 39 year old forward did participate in the Penguins morning skate. Guerin did not practice on Wednesday after being hit in the ankle with a Chris Pronger slap shot in Tuesday’s 6-1 win. Max Talbot is expected to be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game I’m told. Talbot was the extra forward in line rushes. Pittsburgh had a little scare in the morning skate as Craig Adams collided with Eric Godard just minutes ago. Adams was down for a bit but appears to be okay I’m told. Morning Buzz

Penguins put on impressive performance; beat Leafs 5-2

Post-Toronto Observations Toronto — Coming off a divisional win in Philadelphia Thursday night, Pittsburgh put on a dominating performance tonight beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 at the Air Canada Center. Pittsburgh’s “Big Three” came up big with Sidney Crosby netting two goals, Evgeni Malkin adding three assists and goaltender Marc Andre Fleury did what he needed to do making 18 saves to improve to 4-0 on the season. The win was the Penguins fourth on the season while the Leafs continue to look for their first win of the year. Pittsburgh had their way with the Leafs and were clearly the superior team. Toronto GM Brian Burke made a number of personnel moves this summer to improve the organization.

Agent: “Talks are on-going” between Fedotenko, Penguins

Follow TIOPS on Twitter Updated Penguins Free Agency Chart Pittsburgh – The signings of Bill Guerin and Craig Adams have left the Penguins with less than $6 million in cap space as the Penguins have atleast four more holes to plug throughout their lineup. One of the teams top priorities this off-season has been re-signing winger Ruslan Fedotenko. Contract talks began in Montreal over the weekend but to this point, the two sides remain apart on the term and the amount of the money per season, according to a team source. With less than 36 hours until free agency begins, Allan Walsh the agent for Fedotenko tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports this evening “talks are on-going” and as of this moment,

Penguins sign Craig Adams to Two-year deal worth $1.1 million

Follow TIOPS on Twitter The Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to terms with forward Craig Adams on a two year deal worth $1.1 million. “Craig is a steady, reliable, physical player who was an important part of our mix this season,” Penguins General Manager Ray Shero said. “He plays with a lot of grit, but he also contributed some key goals in the playoffs and was very effective as a penalty-killer. We’re glad to be able to sign him for two more years.” As expected Penguins General Manager Ray Shero conducted negotiations this morning with Adams reps and by agreeing to a two year deal, Adams took a

Zigomanis, Penguins make progress; Nearing Deal?

Sources tell TIOPS that the Pittsburgh Penguins could be on the verge of signing face-off specialist Mike Zigomanis before Wednesday. The two sides have made progress over the weekend on a two year deal worth close to $1.6 million. Unless there is a last-minute deal breaker, an announcement will likely be made after Bill Guerin makes his intentions known, which will come as early as Monday afternoon. Zigomanis has been a priority for the Penguins and with less than three days until free agency begins, discussions have also continued with role player Craig Adams. Pittsburgh has made a one year offer but Adams is believed to be seeking a two year deal. I’m told Shero will have another conversation with

Malkin, Crosby push Hurricanes on the brink of elimination

Pittsburgh leads series, 3-0 Evgeni Malkin (2goals, 1 assist) and Sidney Crosby (1goal, 1 assist) combined for 5 pts and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-2 Saturday night at the RBC Center to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Pittsburgh jumped out to a 3-1 first period lead on two goals from Evgeni Malkin (12) and one from Sidney Crosby(14) as the Penguins never trailed after the first period. Just as in game 2, the Hurricanes had no answers in game 3 on how to slow down the games top duo. Crosby and Malkin have combined for 11 points in their past two games and Malkin recorded his 6th consecutive multi-point game in

Post-Game Buzz

Alexander Ovechkin was the center of discussion following the game regarding his knee-to-knee hit on Sergei Gonchar in the first period of Game 4. Alex Ovechkin was remorseful indicating the hit was an accident but as expected, the Penguins believe the hit was dirty and among those to speak out was Brooks Orpik. Orpik Added: “That’s three games in a row where he’s out there trying to hurt guys,”. You just watch the way he hits. And I love the way he plays, but he could get a charging penalty every time he hits. He leaves his feet, and takes countless strides. We’ve gotten lucky up to this point. And he likes to target the Russian guys, for some reason.

Practice Report: 7 players participate in optional practice

Quiet day at Mellon Arena this morning as the Penguins held an optional practice. As expected, a number of veterans took the day off, as seven skaters are currently on the ice. Marc Andre Fleury coming off a 45 save performance is not participating in the optional skate Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar and Bill Guerin are among a group of key veterans who also opted not to skate. Among the skaters are