Post-Game Notes: Sykora non-existent in series opener, Adams provides physical presence

The struggles continue for Petr Sykora who only has 6 points in his last 26 games. Analysis on Craig Adams performance, post-game reports and the latest rumblings Sykora a non-factor in series opener Petr Sykora took a hard hit on the right boards in the Penguins defensive zone on his second shift of the game, and I knew at that point, Sykora was going to be non-factor in the series opener. Sykora saw

Morning Practice Notes: Satan skating with second line

The Penguins just wrapped up their morning practice at Mellon Arena which began around 10:30 a.m. Very interesting line changes in today’s practice Miroslav Satan skated with Evgeni Malkin and Petr Sykora on the second line, alternating with Ruslan Fedotenko. Satan, Fedotenko and Sykora alternated on Malkin’s wing throughout the practice. Yesterday, Satan was on the annual 5th playoff line and even took a shift or two on D as a fill in. As I mentioned on Friday, Bylsma wants to give him a look in a top 6 role. Bylsma just experimenting? The rest of the lines were

The Latest Penguins Buzz

Coming off a 6-1 win Wednesday night, the Penguins held an optional practice this afternoon. Among the forwards who skated were Sidney Crosby, Pascal Dupuis, Craig Adams, Max Talbot, Eric Godard, Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy Defensemen Kris Letang and Philippe Boucher also skated. Marc Andre Fleury took the day off and Mathieu Garon was the only goaltender on the ice. Mike Yeo, Tom Fitzgerald ran the optional practice. The latest on Bill Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko

Morning Skate Update; Elias misses morning skate, out for tonight’s game

New Jersey Devils (47-25-4-98) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (41-27-8-90) The Penguins entertain the New Jersey Devils tonight in what may be a preview of a first round matchup between the two division rivals. If the playoffs started today, the Penguins and Devils would faceoff against each other. The Devils currently lead the season series 3-2. There will only be one lineup change from the Penguins. In the morning skate forward

Tuesday’s Practice Report; Boucher returning to the lineup?

After a much needed rest on Monday, the Penguins returned to the ice this morning as they prepare to face-off against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. Everyone on the roster was accounted for this morning. The Penguins did some tinkering with their lineup throughout a few drills.

Penguins, Kings lineup news

LA Kings (30-30-10-70) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (38-26-8-84) Kings Lineup Purcell-Kopitar-Brown Frolov-Stoll-Williams Calder-Handzus-Harrold Ivanans-Armstrong-Simmonds Defensemen O’Donnell-Doughty Quincey-Johnson Greene- Drewiske Jonathan Quick will start in goal Lineup news: The LA Kings will get a much needed boost with the addition of Justin Williams who will play in his first game for the Kings tonight. Williams was traded from Carolina to LA at the trade deadline but has been injured since being dealt on March 4th. Hard hitting defenseman Denis Gauthier did not make the trip to Pittsburgh and will miss tonight’s game with a shoulder injury. Pittsburgh native John Zeiler will not be in the lineup. Pittsburgh forward Craig Adams is

Malkins’ 5 point night, powers Penguins past Thrashers

Penguins 6 – Thrashers 2 Post Game Thoughts The Penguins have now won nine of 11, earning points in all 11 games (9-0-2). The win tied the Penguins (84 pts) with the Philadelphia Flyers who are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference with 84 points. Philadelphia (37-22-10, 84 pts) has three games in hand on the Penguins (38-26-8, 84 pts). Pittsburgh is 4-1 against Philadelphia this season Evgeni Malkin’s five point night (2 goals, 3 assists) against the Atlanta Thrashers cooled any talk that the Art Ross Trophy is up for grabs as Malkin moved 10 points ahead of teammate Sidney Crosby. The power play which went 3-for-6 saw Evgeni Malkin have a Mario Lemieux moment with a beautiful one

Penguins/Thrashers Lineup News – Kovalchuk out

Atlanta Thrashers (30-35-6) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (37-26-8) ***Morning Skate Update*** The Penguins just concluded their morning skate. There will be no lineup changes from Sunday’s game other than Marc Andre Fleury starting in goal. It was believed Craig Adams would get back into the lineup tonight but he was the extra forward in the skate. As expected Evgeni Malkin did participate in today’s morning skate and will play tonight. The Atlanta Thrashers on a 6 game winning streak will be without forward Ilya Kovalchuk tonight who has missed the Thrashers last two games. Ilya Kovalchuk did not make the trip to Pittsburgh and head coach John Anderson indicated Kovalchuk will likely return to the lineup on Friday for the Thrashers.

Monday’s Practice Report; Sykora misses practice

The Penguins went through a short practice this morning and forward Petr Sykora who is nursing a shoulder injury did not practice. Sykora is doubtful to play on Tuesday against the Panthers but will test his shoulder in tomorrow’s morning skate. A few veterans took the day off The confidence level in the locker-room is at a season high and you can tell by watching practice, how much more relax the players are now then they were 3-4 weeks ago. Goaltender Mathieu Garon spoke after practice,