Busy 26 Hours For Pittsburgh, NHL

The Penguins, who hoped to gain some ground on the resigning of UFA contracts on the team found that everything doesn't come easy. The day opened with Gonchar signing a 3 year deal with Ottawa and Leopold signing with the Buffalo Sabres. On the upper side, the Penguins replaced the holes with the signing of former Coyote Zybnek Michalek and New Jersey Devil Paul Martin. It wasn't until today at 2:00 pm that the latest loss was determined as Mark Eaton signed a contract with the New York Islanders. The Penguins came to agreements about a week ago on the contracts of Matt Cooke and Ben Lovejoy, as both were resigned to 3 year contracts. Free agency has just began, and many more aquisitions for teams are about to come with bigger names still on the market. With UFAs in Fedotenko, McKee, Guerin, and Ponikarovsky, we are in for a ride to see what else the Penguins will do. Stay tuned for updates as they come.

The Great [Ponikarovsky] Debate

With 9 points (2G, 7 A) in 16 regular season games with the Penguins, many feel that a guy of his caliber should be more productive for this team. But are they taking the wrong look at Poni? A player with an average of 20 goals a season over his NHL career shows that he is more of a set up man rather than a shooter. He played on a team drenched in talent with guys like Malkin and Crosby, and as we saw with Satan, the more stars on a team the fewer to points each will produce, especially wingers. Another question was about how he was used. He was used as a shooter on the Penguins PP, but with a body that big, why not use him to screen? I understand with his salary he may not be the best long term investment, but i really don't believe you can assess a guy based on 16 games. I hope to see Poni for one more year to see just exactly what talent he has.

Penguins to Host Capitals at Heinz Field on New Years Day

Announced by CBS affiliate WTAJ-TV out of Altoona, Pennsylvania that the official announcement will be made sometime tomorrow afternoon. This will be the Penguins second Winter Classic appearence after a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 Winter Classic.

Pens Ink Nick Petersen to 3 Year Deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed right wing Nick Petersen to a three-year entry level contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

Petersen, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, completed his first season with Saint John of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Petersen posted 39 goals, 40 assists, 79 points, 12 power-play goals and a plus-46 rating in 59 games with the Sea Dogs. His 79 points ranked third on the team, while his plus-46 rating paced the club.

The 6-foot-3, 188-pound winger added 28 points (7G-21A) in 21 postseason games.

Petersen, 20, played the previous two years with Shawinigan of the QMJHL, compiling 119 points (48G-71A). He finished sixth in the league in scoring in 2008-09 after posting 90 points on 37 goals and 53 assists in 68 contests. He also notched a plus-57 rating. The Wakefield, Quebec native followed that campaign with a strong showing in the playoffs after recording 22 points (10G-12A) in 21 games.

**Via Pittsburgh Penguins Website**

Pens Tame Bruins 2-1 in Shootout

2@ 1

One of, if not the best games played by the Pens so far this season. They had strong offense, and strong defense to back it up. Sabourin was placed in net, getting his first start of the season. He saved 35 of 36 shots against, as well as saving 4 of 5 shots in the shootout. Satan scored the lone Pens goal in regulation off of a rebound shot by Evgeni Malkin. Phil Kessel scored the only goal for the Bruins in regulation on the power play. Malkin and Sykora scored the 2 out of 5 shootout attempts, beating the Bruins in a score of 2-1. Kessel scored the lone shootout goal for the Bruins.

Scoring Summary:

Penguins Goal(s):

18:51 1st Pd: EV; #81 M. Satan(4): Assists: #71 E. Malkin & #87 S. Crosby

Bruins Goal(s):

13:53 2nd Pd;PP; #81 P. Kessel(5): Assists: #21 A. Ference & #46 D. Krejci

SHOOTOUT:

Round 1: Pit:#58 K. Letang(no goal) Bos: #81 P. Kessel(goal)

Round 2: Pit:#17 P. Sykora(goal) Bos: #37 P. Bergeron(no goal)

Round 3: Pit:#87 S. Crosby(no goal) Bos: #73 M. Ryder(no goal)

Round 4: Pit:#81 M. Satan(no goal) Bos: #46 D. Krejci(no goal)

Round 5: Pit:#71 E. Malkin(goal) Bos: #91 M. Savard(no goal)

Total: Pit: 2-5(W2-1); Bos 1-5(L)

Game Notes: Penguins went 0-2 on the PP. Paul Bissonette was in lineup, Bill Thomas was scratched.

Three Stars:

*** # 87 S. Crosby (assist)

** #81 P. Kessel(goal)

* #30 D. Sabourin(35 saves)

Pens Top Leafs 4-1 in Milemarker Game

1 @ 4

What was so great about this game? Was it the first goal of the season for Crosby and Sykora? Another PP goal by Satan? Malkin's 200th point? Sid's 100th goal and 300th point? Or was it the first win in regulation this season for the Pens? For me, it was the whole damn thing. What a game. The penalty killing was great. The power play was amazing. And the Pens actually looked like a hockey team. I love this kinda game that the Pens play. Keep it up boys!

Scoring Summary:

Maple Leafs Goals:

14:25 1st Pd;PP; #80 N. Antropov(1); Assists: #55 J. Blake & #15 T. Kaberle

Penguins Goals:

15:16 1st Pd;EV; #9 P.Dupuis(2); Assists: #87 S. Crosby & #71 E. Malkin

7:55 2nd Pd;PP; #81 M. Satan(3); Assists: #87 S. Crosby & #71 E. Malkin

12:15 2nd Pd; EV; #87 S. Crosby(1); Assists: #71 E. Malkin & #58 K. Letang

13:36 2nd Pd; PP; #17 P. Sykora(1); Assists: #87 S. Crosby & #71 E. Malkin

Game Notes: Petr Sykora now looks 100%. Both Malkin and Crosby received points milestones. Crosby also received goal milestone. Next Game Monday @ Boston.

Three Stars

*** #29 Marc-Andre Fleury (26/27 saves)

** #71 Evgeni Malkin (4 assists)

*#87 Sidney Crosby (1 goal; 3 assists)

Caps Score Four Unanswered to Beat Pens

4 @ 3

A sad, sad game. The Penguins, who had been dry on the power play from game 1 of the season started the game with 3 power play goals. But like the Pens like to do, they got lazy, and the Caps rallied back with 4 to win the game. The sad thing is the game winning goal. Now I'm not gonna sit here and whine, but that goal never should have occurred. Hal Gill was high sticked in the face, stalling him, keeping him behind the play, and allowing a 2 on 1 for the Caps. Now Gill got penalized for roughing Semin after Semin went after Crosby. If you commit the crime, you do the time. That simple. The officiating all throughout the NHL is horrible. They want to reduce head shots and hits from behind, yet you still see them. I hate Ovechkin. And no, not because of how him and Crosby have a rivalry, but how he can charge on every hit and get away with it. Malkin was charged and submarined numerous times by OV. I'm glad we have three games with them still, because OV is gonna get it.

Scoring:

Penguins Goals:

12:58 1st pd.;PP; #13 A. Goligoski(2), Assists: #71 E. Malkin & #87 S. Crosby

19:17 1st pd.;PP; #71 E. Malkin(2), Assists: #87 S. Crosby & #81 M. Satan

1:51 2nd pd.;PP; #81 M. Satan(2), Assists: #17 P. Sykora & #71 E. Malkin

Capitals Goals:

5:45 2nd pd.;EV; #14 T. Fleischmann(1), Assists: #21 B. Laich & #16 E. Fehr

3:38 3rd pd.;EV; #28 A. Semin(4), Assist: #92 M. Nylander

10:00 3rd pd.;EV; #92 M. Nylander(2), Assists: #14 T. Fleischmann & #28 A. Semin

15:43 3rd pd.;EV; #15 B. Gordon(1), Assists: #16 E. Fehr & # 91 S. Fedorov

Game Notes: Matt Cooke was scratched. Paul Bissonette took his place. The Penguins power play kicked in full gear at 3/6 on the night. Laziness cost the Pens the game.

Three Stars:

*** #92 M. Nylander

** #71 E. Malkin

* #28 A. Semin

Pens Crush Flyers in OT Win

2 @3

One word to describe this game, WOW! So Orpik scores a power play goal. Zigomanis scores a goal. The Flyers score two goals just seconds apart. And Dupuis scores in OT. Ohhh, and did i mention, Godard and Cote beat the crap out of each other. Yeah, definitely a true Flyers-Penguins game. Great to see the Pens finally win again, and beat out a division and cross state rival. Looking forward to seeing the next few games.

Scoring:

Penguins Goals:

14:12 2nd Period; PP Goal; #44 B. Orpik(1): Assists: #58 K. Letang & #48 T. Kennedy

14:54 2nd Period; EV Goal; #15 M. Zigomanis(1): Assists: #24 M. Cooke & #28 E. Godard

4:49 OT Period; EV Goal #9 P. Dupuis(1): Assists: #44 B. Orpik & #58 K. Letang

Flyers Goals:

19:16 2nd Period; EV Goal; #17 J. Carter(2): Assists: #9 S. Upshall & #23 O. Vaananen

19:37 2nd Period; EV Goal; #12 S. Gagne(3): Assists: #44 K. Timonen & #5 B. Coburn

Game Notes: Petr Sykora made his season debut tonight. The Penguins turnovers went down and shots went up by a large portion. Hartnell was a pest as usual. Three Stars: 3.)K. Timonen 2.)M. Zigomanis 1.)P. Dupuis. Penguins play the Washington Capitals at home on Thursday.

Fleury Shines Despite Penguins Loss

2 @ 1

Sorry for the late recap of the game, my weekend has been pretty jam packed. Anyways, what started out as a good looking game turned into an upset. Just 6:23 into the game, Mike Rupp and Eric Godard went at it. Both men received a 5 minute major for fighting. At the 11:28 mark, Brian Gionta received a penalty for hooking, resulting in a powerplay goal by the Pen's Miro Satan, which was his first as a Penguin. After tripping Sidney Crosby in the neutral zone, Hal Gill went after the culprut Clarkson. Both men received a 5 minute major for fighting. Late in the third, a shot by Patrick Elias deflected past Fleury after hitting Gill's skate. With less then a minute left in OT, Zach Parise scored a goal off of a Murphey dump past the Pens defense.


Scoring:

Penguins Goals:
1st Period 11:52; Powerplay; #81 M. Satan(1); Assisted:#11 J. Staal & #71 Evgeni Malkin

Devils Goals:
3rd Period 17:31;Even Strength; #26 P. Elias(2); Unassisted
OT Period 4:22; Even Strength; #9 Z. Parise(2); #19 T. Zajac & #5 C. White

Extras: Penguins were outshot 49 to 15. Petr Sykora missed game with sore groin. Darryl Sydor played wing on the 4th line. The Penguins were introduced before the game before a sold out arena. Three Stars: 3.) P. Elias 2.) Z. Parise 1.) M. Fleury. Next Game 10/14 vs Flyers

Game Of The Week: 10/11 Edition

Ive decided to make a weekly video post during the week, which will include what i think is the game of the week. Feel free to agree, disagree, or even give me your opinions on what is the game of the week.....And the game of the week is: Penguins @ Senators from Sat, Oct 4. Not only did TK score and win in OT, and Scuderi scored a goal, but Malkin got his first shorthanded goal! Great Game!

Sykora Returns To Practice, Expected in Lineup for Tuesday's Game Against Flyers

Petr Sykora practiced for the first time today since Oct. 10. He was out the first two games of the season with a groin injury and has missed practices because of illness. While he had hoped to return to the lineup tonight, but both he thought it was better to not rush.

“I was aiming for today but it didn’t happen,” Sykora said. “I felt the pressure of the game coming. I tried to have a good practice and try to get back as soon as possible and it didn’t happen. You have to take it day by day.”

Head coach Michel Therrien thought it was a better idea for Petr to just take it easy and not worry about tonights game, and rather focus on getting better.

“We will be cautious with Petr,” head coach Michel Therrien said. “He’s going to have to be 100 percent. It’s a long season. We don’t want to take any risks.”

Due to the great deal of injuries, ranging from foot problems with Ryan Whitney, to a dislocated shoulder to Sergei Gonchar, the Penguins cannot take another injury. There powerplay has lacked shots, and missing a sharpshooter like Petr Sykora will hurt the PP. Fortunately, he will be back soon, and likely will be placed on the PP to hopefully end the lack of PP shots/goals.

Penguins Acquire Mike Zigomanis from Coyotes

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward Mike Zigomanis from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for future considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.
Zigomanis, 27, split the 2007-08 season between the Phoenix Coyotes and the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League (AHL). The right-handed shooter appeared in 33 games for the Coyotes, recording three points (two goals, one assist) and six penalty minutes. Zigomanis played 27 games for the Rampage, tallying 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) along with 14 penalty minutes. He posted five assists and 10 penalty minutes in seven playoff games with San Antonio.

The 6-1, 195-pound penalty-killing forward played 73 NHL games for Phoenix in 2006-07, scoring 23 points (14 goals, nine assists). He ranked seventh in the NHL with a face-off percentage of 56.2%. He has registered 33 points (19 goals, 14 assists) and 58 penalty minutes in 167 career NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes and Phoenix.

The North York, Ontario native was originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (64th overall) of the 1999 Entry Draft. Zigomanis re-entered the draft in 2001 and was selected by Carolina in the second round (46th overall). (Courtesy of pittsburghpenguins.com)

Heatly; Sens Put One Past Penguins

3 @ 1

The Pittsburgh Penguins fell to the Senators 3-1 in the closing game of the NHL Premiere in Stockholm, Sweden on Sunday. The Penguins defense looked good at times, while at other moments it seemed almost mediocre. The Pens finally cashed in on the power play, but was an unimpressive 1 for 8. The Penguins need big help on the PP. Personally, i think it is a joke that both Letang and Goligoski are on the point on the first power play line. Both struggled to keep the puck in the zone, and it was almost embarrassing. I know we are short on offensive defensemen, but come on. Lets hope the Penguins can cash in on the PP on Saturday when they open the season home opener at Mellon Arena.

Scoring:

Senators Goals:
13:07,2nd Period;Power Play: D. Heatley(2).Assisted:J. Spezza,D. Alfredsson.
12:17,3rd Period;Power Play: D. Heatler(3).Assisted:D. Alfredsson, F. Kuba.
15:50,3rd Period;Even Strength: A. Vermette(1).Assisted:J Winchester,C. Kelly.

Penguins Goals:
19:58,3rd Period;Power Play: A. Goligoski(1). Assisted:S. Crosby,E. Malkin.

Game Notes: Heatley scored two goals, both on the power play, and the second being the GWG. Penguins were wearing their black jerseys, as they represented the home team, getting the last change. Petr Sykora missed the game for the second straight with a sore groin. Pittsburgh native Bill Thomas was in lineup, as Jeff Taffe was a healthy scratch. Alex Goligoski was also put into lineup, as Darryl Sydor was a healthy scratch as well.

Pens Cap Sens In NHL Premiere Game One

Two goals by Tyler Kennedy, a goal on the rush by Rob Scuderi, and a shorthanded breakaway goal by Evgeni Malkin led the Penguins to a 4-3 victory in overtime over the Ottawa Senators at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Goals:
Pittsburgh Penguins Goals:
0:40,1st Period,Even Strength: T. Kennedy(1)-Assisted:J. Staal
3:18,2nd Period,Short-handed: E. Malkin(1)-Unassisted
3:56,3rd Period,Even Strength: R. Scuderi(1)-Assisted:S. Crosby; M. Satan
4:35,Overtime,Even Strength: T. Kennedy(2)-Unassisted

Ottawa Senators Goals:
9:13,1st Period,Even Strength: S. Donovan(1)-Assisted: D. McAmmond; F. Kuba
12:15,2nd Period,Power Play: D. Heatley(1)-Assisted: J. Spezza, F. Kuba
17:55,2nd Period,Short Handed: J. Spezza(1)- Assisted: A. Volchenkov

Game Note: Petr Sykora did not play due to a sore groin. Penguins were in their away white jerseys, giving the Senators the final change. Tyler Kennedy appeared more confident that his play at the conclusion of last season. Penguins did not struggle defensively, but their powerplay came up 0-7. The three stars of today's game were 3)Evgeni Malkin 2)Jason Spezza and 1) Tyler Kennedy.

Pesonen Out Of Roster

While the Penguins were required to make a roster cut, the final of the kind, to shorten their roster to 24 men, Pesonen was not on that list. It was announced yesterday that Janne Pesonen was assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). He had a goal and an assist in the preseason with the Penguins. I was read that he would either be a 3rd or 4th line winger or he would have to be assigned to Wilkes-Barre. I agree with the decision because Pesonen being placed on the lower lines may hold back his potential. Maybe a little game play in the minors will help him gain his confidence, and who knows, maybe we will see him sometime soon in a Pens jersey again.

Whatcha Eaton?

While he seems to have trouble making it through a season, after having missing nearly half the season in 2006-2007 after a cheap hit from behind, or in 2007-2008 where he was slue-footed, it appears that Mark Eaton always shows his true colors in the preseason. After scoring a very important goal in a 2007 preseason game, Mark did it again last night in a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. While he has not played a huge portion of the past two season, we hope to see this offensive, as well as defensive, side this year.

Sorry For The Absence

With the start of school, roller hockey Championships, and work on the weekends, my eyes have came over this page all but 2 times. Ive been so busy setting up Fantasy Hockey Leagues and completing homework assignments. But anyway, as the Penguins burst into the NHL 2008-2009 season, they currently enter their final Preseason game with a record of 3-0-1. After losing to the Lightning in a shootout in their first game, they came back, defeating the Lightning in the second, as well as the Leafs in the third and fourth. Its looking to be a bright season, and i cannot wait for it to kick off! LETS GO PENS!

Predictions?

As the long (well, not so long) awaited arrival of the kickoff of the 08-09 season, many ask, with all the recent losses and gains, do the Penguins have what it takes to win the cup this year? Now I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but i feel the Penguins still have a few years in the making before the cup comes back home. Marian Hossa was supposedly "the answer" after being traded to the Penguins last minute in last years trade deadline, he is now a member of the Stanley Cup holding Red Wings. Miro Satan, who is said to be the next candidate for Crosby's scoring winger, is coming of a below average season with the Islanders. Is he the answer? Or will he be placed in lower lines, or be used as bait to lure in other fine wingers? I guess its all about to unfold in front of us. Lets sit back, and look at the years to come and what they may have in store for us, the fans.

Caption Time!

Caption Away Folks!

What the "A"?

As recently talked about by my good friend Ben over at Those Pucking Penguins i have decided to also put in my candidates for the second alternate captain (A) on the team this year. As Ben stated, Sidney Crosby is the obvious holder of the Captain (C) and Sergei Gonchar has the first alternate captain (A). But with the departure of former 2007-2008 alternate captains Gary Roberts and Ryan Malone, that last spot is still up for grabs.

Choice Number 1: Petr Sykora

While Petr Sykora, along with Evgeni Malkin, can be spotted in photos wearing the "A", be aware, they were from the 2007-2008 preseason when the club was split into two teams for exhibition games. Petr Sykora is a strong offensive second liner who can play with just about anyone. While the amazing Malone-Malkin-Sykora line will not be together this year, i see him sticking with Malkin and possibly be with Pascal Dupuis. He is a veteren leader who always shows the opposition his skill. I joke with others about him, because he is a hit or miss kinda guy. He either scores a goal, or completely misses the net. This man has what it takes to be the second "A".

Choice Number 2: Pascal Dupuis

While he may have only been with the Pens for a few months, he has the potential to be a Penguins alternate in the near future. Along with his leadership in the third and fourth lines, as well as his skill and ability to score important goals when needed, he is a perfect contender, especially after signing a three year extension with the Penguins.

Choice Number 3:Jordan Staal

Jordan Staal may have fell victim to the "sophmore slump", but he has earned himself the position of strong third line center. While his scoring decreased in the 07-08 season, his faceoff percentages went up. This kid is making a name for himself, maybe not as large as fellow team mate Sidney Crosby, but it may just be enough to get the "A" sewn onto his jersey.