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

Penguins beat Canes 3-2, take 1-0 series lead

Marc Andre Fleury made 23 saves and Miroslav Satan, Philippe Boucher each scored their first goal of the playoffs as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 Monday night at Mellon Arena to take a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Pittsburgh got off to a strong start in the first period setting the tone early and striking first. Winger Miroslav Satan jumped out of the penalty box, and went in all alone on goaltender Cam Ward beating Ward with a backhand goal at 9:17 of the first period to put the Penguins up 1-0 in the first.

Game 1: Morning Skate: Gonchar to play

The Penguins just concluded their morning skate as they prepare for game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. As expected, the lines were the same as yesterday’s practice. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar took a regular shift with Brooks Orpik and worked with the Penguins first power play unit. Gonchar is much healthier than he was for Game 7 of the Semi-Finals and while Dan Bylsma would not commit to Gonchar playing tonight, he will be in the lineup. Lines Kunitz – Crosby – Guerin Fedotenko – Malkin – Talbot Cooke – Staal – Kennedy Dupuis (GTD) – Adams – Satan * Petr Sykora and Eric Godard worked in drills as the Penguins 5th line. Both players will be scratches. None of

Off Day Report: Penguins hold optional skate

The Penguins held an optional skate this morning, coming off of their 3-2 OT win in Game 3. The Penguins avoided going down 3-0 and played their best game of the series and momentum could slightly be turning towards Pittsburgh. Following last night’s game, the line change of bumping up Max Talbot to the second line has been attributed to sparking Evgeni Malkin’s dominant game 3 performance. Talbot provided energy, and a physical presence in the corners which Malkin has lacked on his right side with Petr Sykora. Dan Bylsma has no plans to switch that line in game 4. “He has an energy and a physical presence on the offense and a forechecking presence and puck-retrieving presence that adds

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

Flyers avoid elimination, beat Penguins 3-0

Pittsburgh leads series, 3-2 Marty Biron made 28 saves and the Philadelphia Flyers got timely goals and defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 Thursday night at Mellon Arena to force a game 6 on Saturday. The Penguins jumped on the Flyers early out shooting the Flyers 15-5 in the first period but were unable to get one past Martin Biron who played his best game of the series. The Flyers made adjustments in the final two periods, being aggressive at the blueline and playing stifling defense, limiting the Penguins to 13 shots over the course of the second and third period.

Boucher was inserted in the lineup to spark the Penguins lackluster power play

Many NHL pundits will not question the decision by Dan Bylsma to scratch winger Petr Sykora as it was time to send a message that if you don‚Äôt produce, you will sit, but Bylsma will be questioned for scratching Kris Letang. Letang suffered a lower leg injury in game 4 but was healthy enough to play in game 5. Letang skated in the morning skate and during the pregame warm-ups. Letang’s minor injury had no bearing into Bylsma‚Äôs decision as it was strictly on the motive to get Philippe Boucher in the lineup to spark the Penguins slumping power play. Letang‚Äôs performance has not been up to par the past couple games but by taking him out of the lineup,