Kasperi Kapanen makes immediate impact with big night in WBS Penguins debut

Kasperi Kapanen scored on his first AHL shot and added a primary assist for a two point night in his WBS Penguins debut, a 3-0 Wilkes Barre win. Kapanen came through the neutral zone with blazing speed and cut to the middle, beating defenseman Adam Comrie and scoring with a beautiful goal at 4:43 of the first period. Kapanen finished the night with 1 goal, 1 assist, +1 rating and 3 shots on goal. 2014-2015 Stats (WBS Penguins) 1 GP – 1 Goal – 1 Assists – 2 Points – +1 – 3 SOG 2014-2015 Stats (KALPA) 41 GP – 11 Goals – 10 Assists – 21 Points – 2

Evgeni Malkin may return Sunday vs Flyers

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin practiced for the second straight day but will be held out of Saturday’s game vs Columbus. Malkin said after practice today he may return Sunday vs Philadelphia. Because Malkin has been ruled out, the Penguins are able to use an emergency recall vs Columbus and recalled Taylor Chorney earlier in the day. 2014-2015 Stats: 65 GP – 28 Goals – 42 Assists – 70 Points – +4 –

Evgeni Malkin out for 2-4 days

Penguins head coach Mike Johnston said after the Penguins 4-1 loss tonight that the medical staff discovered a “slight injury” for Evgeni Malkin (lower body) when Malkin was getting checked out on Tuesday. Johnston, though, doesn’t expect the injury to linger and later said Malkin will be out 2-4 days. We are just being cautious right now at this time of the year,” Johnston said. 2014-2015 Stats: 65 GP – 28 Goals – 42 Assists – 70 Points – +4 –

Sidney Crosby becomes 5th Penguin in team history with 300 career goals

Sidney Crosby scored his 300th career goal tonight in the Penguins 4-1 loss to the Flyers. Crosby became the 5th Penguin in team history with 300 goals. Crosby hit the 300 Goal plateau tonight in his 622nd career game. It was Crosby’s 206th career even strength goal, also 5th in team history. Crosby is tied for 8th all-time in Penguin history, averaging 0.48 goals per game. PENGUINS ALL-TIME GOAL LEADERS 1. Mario Lemieux 690 2. Jaromir Jagr 439 3. Jean Pronovost 316 4. Rick Kehoe 312 5. Sidney Crosby 300 6. Evgeni Malkin 268 7. Kevin Stevens 260 8. Mike Bullard 185 9. Martin Straka 165 10. Ron Francis* 164 2014-2015 Stats: 72 GP – 26 Goals – 54 Assists –

Max Lapierre 10-for-10 on defensive zone draws vs Sharks, including 6-for-6 against Joe Thornton

Max Lapierre having a significant impact on a game is a rarity but Lapierre was big in the Penguins 3-2 shootout win over the Sharks. Lapierre went 13-1 on faceoffs, and was dominate on defensive zone draws, going 10 of 10. Lapierre was leaned on heavily by the coaching staff for d-zone draws in the right circle. In the defensive zone Lapierre was 6-for-6 vs Joe Thornton.  Lapierre played 11:54, including 4:22 on the penalty kill. 2014-2015 Stats: 74 GP – 2 Goals – 9 Assists – 11 Points – -13 – 135 Hits – 52 FO%

Sidney Crosby leads the NHL with 12 games with at least three points

Sidney Crosby had a hand in all three Penguin goals Saturday afternoon vs Arizona and Crosby’s three point game moved him two points ahead of Jakub Voracek (76 pts) for the NHL points lead. The No. 1 and No. 2 scorers in the NHL will faceoff against each other twice in the next week. Crosby’s three point game vs Arizona marked the 12th game this season for Crosby where he has recorded at least three points in a game, 1st in the NHL. 2014-2015 Stats: 70 GP – 25 Goals – 53 Assists – 78 Points – +7

Steve Downie “Playing the right way”

Steve Downie’s fight and power play goal sparked the Penguins 3-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes Saturday afternoon, many teammates noted after the game. Downie had found himself in Mike Johnston’s dog house over the last month but is now playing the right way, the Penguins head coach said after the win. “I know ‘Downs’ gets scrutiny for how he plays and what he does,” Johnston said. “We’ve talked about it all year. If he plays the right way, he’s a very effective player.” 2014-2015 Stats: 67 GP – 14 Goals – 14 Assists – 28 Points – +1

Thomas Greiss to start Saturday afternoon vs former team

As expected, Thomas Greiss (8-5-3, 2.54 GAA, .912 SV%) will start in goal Saturday afternoon vs the Arizona Coyotes, Penguins head coach Mike Johnston confirmed after practice. Greiss has posted a .935 save percentage over his last 5 appearances. Marc Andre Fleury gets the start Sunday night vs San Jose.

Christian Ehrhoff out again for Penguins

Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff will not play tonight vs the Carolina Hurricanes and is sidelined again. Penguins head coach Mike Johnston said Ehrhoff will be out “several days” 2014-2015 Stats: 49 GP – 3 Goals – 11 Assists – 14 Points – +8

Evgeni Malkin won’t return vs Hurricanes

Evgeni Malkin (lower body) is very close to returning but will sit out at least one more game. Penguins head coach confirmed after practice Malkin and Patric Hornqvist won’t make the trip to Carolina. “They won’t be going with us on the trip,” Johnston said. Neither took contact today. Malkin could potentially return Saturday vs Arizona. 2014-2015 Stats: 63 GP – 28 Goals – 40 Assists – 60 Points – +5 –