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 skate update: Mark Eaton out/ Hal Gill in
Morning skate update The Penguins (97 pts) just concluded their morning skate in Montreal. A source at the arena tells me defenseman Mark Eaton will be a healthy scratch Philippe Boucher will remain in the lineup and Hal Gill will be back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch on Thursday. The lines in the morning skate were
Post-Game Report
Penguins Post-Game Report Very good turnout for Penguins fans tonight at the RBC center In the locker room following the game, the Penguins felt they played good enough to win. They were disappointed not to leave Carolina with two points but they did get a much needed point. In his post-game comments, Sidney Crosby talked about how the Penguins ran into a good goaltender but felt if the Penguins continue to play at the level they did tonight, “he likes their chances.” The Florida Panthers (87  pts) will be in a must-win situation Sunday afternoon. Interim coach Dan Bylsma remains non-committal on who will start in goal but sources tell me Fleury will start. Fleury has been pushing to play both
Hurricanes 3, Penguins 2 (OT); Canes clinch playoff spot
Hurricanes defenseman Anton Babchuk scored the winning goal at 1:11 into overtime, as the Hurricanes beat the Penguins 3-2 at the RBC center Saturday night. The win was the Hurricanes eighth straight and franchise record 11th straight home win. The win clinched the Hurricanes first playoff berth since the 2005-2006 season. The Penguins trailed 2-1 going into the third period, and at 3:34 in the third period, Jordan Staal tied the game from the left circle with a quick one timer on a Tyler Kennedy’s pass from the left corner. Tyler Kennedy had a goal an assist for the Penguins. Ruslan Fedotenko added two assists and Marc Andre made 27 saves in the loss.
The Latest Penguins Buzz
Marc Andre Fleury made 31 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, Wednesday night as the Penguins took sole possession of 6th place in the Eastern Conference. Fleury was phenomenal against Calgary and he’s playing at a level right now that has the Penguins in the mindset that they can compete for a Stanley Cup which wasn’t a thought four weeks ago. The key for the Penguins locking up a playoff spot is not to lose two straight games in their final 8 games. Going into last night’s game on a one game losing streak, the Penguins got a much needed win and avoided a two game losing streak. The win moved the Penguins 7 points ahead of the
The Latest Penguins Buzz
Despite a 10-1-2 stretch, the Penguins are still not a lock to the make the playoffs as they’re only five points ahead of ninth place Florida. There is a lot of work that needs to be done between now and the end of the regular season. Two players who desperately need to pick up their games are Petr Sykora and Ruslan Fedotenko. Sykora who is a streaky player has 3 goals in his last 17 games and only one goal in his last 9 games. At this time last year Sykora was playing his best hockey of the season. From 3-9-08 through 3-24-08 Sykora had 7 goals in 7 games for the Penguins. Sykora needs to return to that level
Whitney trade one of many to come
Forward Tim Wallace has been recalled and accompanied the Penguins to Chicago today. Janne Pesonen has been re-assigned. Pesonen was recalled yesterday and practiced today rotating with Chris Minard (waived today), Bill Thomas and Eric Godard The Penguins trade today will not be their last trade prior to the March 4th trade deadline. The Penguins have about about $4 million in cap space ( not pro-rated) and they remain very active. I’m hearing two more trades will be made between now and March 4th As mentioned a few days ago, Ruslan Fedotenko is drawing some interest. Chicago, Edmonton and Columbus are of interest and it’s believed the Blackhawks have made an offer. There continues to be significant interest in
Penguins listening to offers for a number of pending free agents
Shero listening to offers for potential UFA’s: According to a source
NHL: Management playing a factor in Kris Letang being the odd-man out?
Photo courtesy of Dan4th
NHL: Penguins actively shopping Gill, Whitney
With the trade deadline 9 days away, defensemen Ryan Whitney and Hal Gill are two names coming up the most in trade discussions as the Penguins are actively seeking help upfront. According to sources, Gill has a lot more value around the league than most fans think he would.