Wednesday Practice Report: Frustrations brewing over power play struggles
Bylsma taking responsibility for struggles Southpointe _ The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 28th in the league on the power play and any fans hoping for the Penguins to fire assistant coach Mike Yeo is wishful thinking. It’s not going to happen. On Wednesday the power play was an area of focus and head coach Dan Bylsma is taking responsibility for the teams struggles on the man-advantage. To blame Mike Yeo is taking the easy way out. Dan Bylsma over see’s the entire power play and is in on every personnel decision, formations, ect. The situation is nothing like the NFL where the offensive coordinator over see’s the entire offense while the head coach does not have as much involvement. Dan Bylsma
Tuesday Practice Report: Penguins get back to work after disappointing loss
The Pittsburgh Penguins returned to the ice this morning after Monday nights disappointing loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Head coach Dan Bylsma talked today how the Penguins lacked focus as the Penguins have given up the first goal in seven straight games. One player who did not practice today was Mark Letestu, who was re-assigned to Wilkes Barre/Scranton this morning. Letestu played a strong game Saturday night against Chicago but was a healthy scratch Monday night. Defenseman Alex Goligoski practiced for the second straight day and barring a setback, expects to return to the lineup Thursday night in Montreal. With two full practices before Thursday’s game, the power play will be a top priority for the coaching staff like it
Rupp’s first hat trick leads Penguins to 5-2 win
Michael Rupp scored three goals and Sidney Crosby added two goals and an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New York Rangers 5-2 Monday night at Madison Square Garden to sweep the home and home series with the Rangers. Rupp was a presence all game, scoring his first hat trick of his career and has a career best eight goals this season. “It feels good that it {hat trick} comes in a win,” Rupp said. Rupp’s play through the first 28 games has led to an increased role and Rupp took advantage of the opportunity to play with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy as Matt Cooke served the first game of his two game suspension. Rupp has also filled
Crosby scores OT winner in 3-2 win over Panthers
Post-Florida Thoughts The Florida Panthers jumped out to a 2-0 third period lead and did the worst thing you can do against the Penguins; sit back and play conservative The Panthers let the Penguins hang around just long enough and Pittsburgh’s role players came up big in regulation as Pascal Dupuis (6) scored at 4:49 of the third period to cut the Panthers lead to 2-1 and Michael Rupp (5) scored with 2:32 remaining in the third period to tie the game at 2-2. Just over a minute into overtime, Panthers winger Nathan Horton was called for a controversial four minute double minor for high-sticking Brooks Orpik which led to Sidney Crosby (11) scoring the game winner (PPG) at 3:07
Penguins win second in a row; Ducks lack direction
Missing four of its top six defensemen, the Pittsburgh Penguins won their second straight game Monday night beating the Anaheim Ducks 5-2. Matt Cooke scored two goals and Bill Guerin ended Pittsburgh’s eight game streak without a power-play goal, scoring a power play goal at 5:13 of the first period. Jordan Staal and Martin Skoula also added goals for Pittsburgh. Skoula’s third period tally was his 1st goal in a Penguins uniform. Marc Andre Fleury made 23 saves to record his 11th win of the season. Pittsburgh controlled the play early and often as the woes continue for the Anaheim Ducks who have lost 10 of 13 games. Anaheim came into the season with expectations of contending for a Stanley
Friday Practice Report: Role players, good goaltending fuel Penguins 6-1 start
The Latest Penguins Buzz The Pittsburgh Penguins return home Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning to begin a five game home-stand. The Lightning are 2-2-2 through six games and former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Ryan Malone leads the Lightning with 6 goals. On paper the Lightning are a better team than last year and some nights they have looked improved but they continue to struggle to keep the puck out of their net and are also averaging under 3 goals per game. *Today, the team went through a 75 minute workout. One lineup change for tomorrow night will be Eric Godard returning to the lineup. Godard was informed that he will play. * Two key reasons that management believes has
Kennedy, Fleury lead Penguins to 4-1 victory
Penguins improve to 5-1 on the season Marc Andre Fleury made 30 saves and Tyler Kennedy added two goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1 Monday night at Scotiabank Place. Fleury off to his best start of his career is now a perfect a 5-0 on the season as the Penguins kept pace with the New York Rangers in the Atlantic division to improve to 5-1 on the year. Bill Guerin (2) and Jordan Staal (3) also scored for Pittsburgh who are 3-0 on a four game road trip that ends Wednesday night in Carolina. Pittsburgh got a few bounces that went their way but for the second consecutive game, Pittsburgh played a complete game. They were
Post-Game Notebook: Staal re-uniting with Malkin?
Post-Game Buzz
Round 1 goes to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh 5 – Philadelphia 4 The Philadelphia Flyers have aspirations of reaching the Stanley Cup this season but they will have to go through the Pittsburgh Penguins first. Round 1 tonight went to Pittsburgh. The Penguins who have knocked the Flyers out of the playoffs for the past two seasons, defeated the Flyers 5-4 Thursday night at the Wacovia Center in the first meeting between the two division rivals since last April’s 1st round playoff series.
Penguins open the season tonight against the Rangers
Regular Season Game 1: New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins The celebration for the defending Stanley Cup Champions ends tonight as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the New York Rangers in what will be a special night. The Penguins will raise their Stanley Cup banner into the rafters during tonight’s pre-game ceremonies to celebrate their amazing 2008-2009 journey. Tonight will also mark the final regular season opener at Mellon Arena. The Penguins will move into the Consol Energy Center next season. Mellon Arena which opened in 1961 has been the home of the Penguins since the organization entered the NHL in 1967. For the players, the celebration has already ended and it’s back to business as soon as the puck drops.