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,

Practice Report: 7 players participate in optional practice

Quiet day at Mellon Arena this morning as the Penguins held an optional practice. As expected, a number of veterans took the day off, as seven skaters are currently on the ice. Marc Andre Fleury coming off a 45 save performance is not participating in the optional skate Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar and Bill Guerin are among a group of key veterans who also opted not to skate. Among the skaters are

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

Malkin wins 1st NHL scoring title; Penguins win regular season finale

Pittsburgh 3 РMontreal 1 Saturday night was a night of celebration for the Penguins as the team won their season finale 3-1 against the Montreal Canadiens and remain in the hunt for the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Max Talbot and Kris Letang added shorthanded goals and Marc Andre Fleury made 29 saves to record his 35th win of the season. Evgeni Malkin (35) also scored for the Penguins who outshot the Canadiens 41-30. With a Carolina loss Saturday afternoon, the Penguins (99 pts) will finish no worst than 5th in the Eastern Conference and will face their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers (99 pts)  in the first round. A Flyers regulation loss to the Rangers Sunday afternoon

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

Friday’s Practice Report; Bylsma impressed with Boucher’s performance

The Penguins went through a 50 minute workout this morning that began around 11:00 a.m. Forward Miroslav Satan did not practice but was at Mellon Arena talking to teammates and team personnel. Satan has cleared re-entry waivers and is currently on the trip to Montreal with the Penguins Max Talbot and Hal Gill were both practicing this morning. Talbot and Gill were healthy scratches against the Islanders. Interim coach Dan Bylsma indicated after practice that Satan

The Latest Penguins Buzz

Updated: 12:00 p.m. – Miroslav Satan was not claimed on re-entry waivers and has joined the team. Satan is traveling with the team to Montreal. Organization eyes Kennedy as a top 6 forward in 09? The Penguins are encouraged by the how right winger Tyler Kennedy has progressed from year 1 to year 2. Kennedy notched his 15th goal of the season Thursday night and has elevated his play over the past 5 weeks. Kennedy will be under consideration of making the jump as a top 6 forward prior to training camp. There are mixed opinions in the organization about whether Kennedy can be a consistent top 6 forward in this league but he is only 22 years old and

Penguins rout Islanders 6-1 in regular season home finale

The Penguins hopes of getting home-ice in the first round of the playoffs remain somewhat alive as the Penguins thumbed the NHL worst New York Islanders 6-1 Thursday night at Mellon Arena and got some help from the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers who both lost this evening. After a slow the start, the Penguins proved to be too much for the lowly Islanders as 13 players registered a point. Evgeni Malkin had two assists to lead the Penguins offensive attack. Malkin increased his scoring lead to four points over Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin was held scoreless against Tampa Bay. Both players have one game remaining.