Letang to play; Penguins make changes on the power play

Philadelphia (15-15-1) @ Pittsburgh (22-10-1) Morning Skate Update: Defenseman Kris Letang practiced this morning after missing yesterday’s skate. Letang has been battling an illness and continues to be bothered by a nagging upper body injury. However, Letang took his usual reps with Mark Eaton and will play tonight against Philadelphia. With 13 healthy forwards, Pittsburgh’s healthy scratch tonight is expected to be Max Talbot or Eric Godard. Dan Bylsma is keeping things close to the vest. Godard and Talbot alternated at right wing on line rushes this morning as both players skated on the fourth line with Michael Rupp and Craig Adams. Based on performance, Craig Adams should be a candidate to sit but Max Talbot has not been used

Pressure turns to Fleury in game 3

Game 2 Post-Game Notebook Unable to tie the series at 1-1, the series shifts back to Pittsburgh Tuesday night as the Penguins will be in a must win situation like they were last year. Despite only scoring two goals through the first two games of the series, the Penguins were upbeat following the game and believe this series is far from over. For the second straight night, the inability to capitalize on prime scoring chances haunted the Penguins. The chances are there for the Penguins, averaging 32 shots in two games Red Wings team speed causing Penguins problems Evaluating the first two games of the series, the most noticeable difference between the Red Wings and Penguins is the team speed

The Latest Penguins Buzz

Penguins forward Petr Sykora did not speak to the media today following Penguins practice. As expected Sykora was a scratch for Game 6 and was scratched for the final two games of the series. Sources tell me Sykora has been told by the Penguins coaching staff that he has to improve his practice habits to get back into the lineup. Sykora has skated very hard in the Penguins past two practices ( Friday & Monday) An encouraging sign for the Penguins heading into the second round is Ruslan Fedotenko played his best game of the playoffs in game 6. Fedotenko was the first Penguins top 6 winger to score an even strength goal in the series. Fedotenko was playing well

Game 5: Sykora scratched, Letang game time decision

The Penguins just concluded their morning skate and the big news from the skate is Petr Sykora will be a healthy scratch. Sykora has 6 points in his last 29 games. Sykora will be replaced in the lineup by Miroslav Satan. Pascal Dupuis will be moved up to the 2nd line and Miroslav Satan will start the game on the 4th line according to a source. Kris Letang who suffered a lower leg injury in Tuesday’s game,

Fleury sensational as Penguins beat Flyers 3-1

Penguins lead series, 3-1 Marc Andre Fleury made 45 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 Tuesday night at the Wachovia Center, to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Fleury was spectacular from the drop of the puck as the Penguins were outshot 46-26 and for the second time in three games, Fleury stole a game from the Flyers. “If your going to have success in the playoffs, you have to have performances like that from your goaltender‚Äù, Dan Bylsma said, regarding Fleury‚Äôs performance in game 4.

Game 1 – Morning Skate Update: “Game Time decisions”

Morning Skate Update All seven defensemen alternated in the morning skate. Dan Bylsma just announced after practice that he will make a game-time decision on who sits. Eaton or Boucher will be the odd-man out tonight. Hal Gill is not under consideration to be scratched. Chris Kunitz missed the skate as his wife went into labor but he will play. Game Time decisions on Adams and Godard too but I’m hearing Bylsma is leaning towards playing Godard in game 1. It’s the time of the year where coaches aren’t going to disclose lineups in the morning skate like they do in the regular season. The Flyers just took the ice and they have one lineup change. Rookie Jared Ross will

Morning Practice Notes, Penguins prepare for Flyers

The Penguins went through their first practice of the playoff season this morning at 10:30 a.m. as the team prepares to take on the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday night in the first round of the playoffs. The teams primary goal was to claim the 4th seed but going into the weekend with Philadelphia having two games in hand, and Carolina owning a tiebreaker, the players were not very optimistic and were expecting to start the playoffs on the road. All of that changed yesterday when the Rangers rallied to upend the Flyers 4-3. Practice Notes All 23 skaters were accounted for this morning. The Penguins are a very confident team right now but they are not taking anything for granted and the