Engelland Awaiting Hearing posted by Jeff Ponder

Deryk Engelland may not have received a charging penalty during the game but NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan may be assessing punishment nonetheless.

In the Penguins’ 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday night, Engelland delivered a crushing blow to Chicago Blackhawks rookie Marcus Krueger at the 8:55 mark of the first period.  While Krueger was entering the Penguins’ zone, Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis wrapped him up at the blue line.  Engelland approached Krueger from his right and hit him near the boards.  Engelland led with his forearm, knocking Krueger to the ice.  Despite the monstrous collision, Krueger bounced right back up as Engelland fought with Krueger’s teammate, John Scott.  Engelland was assessed a major penalty for fighting while Scott received a 5:00 major for fighting, a 2:00 fight-instigator minor and a game misconduct. 

Krueger played the remainder of the first period but did not return at the start of the second period.  He has since been diagnosed with a concussion.

Shanahan or the NHL has not yet set a date for the hearing.  It is likely that it will take place before the Penguins play Friday evening in Winnipeg to take on the Jets. 

Engelland has no prior history of supplemental discipline in the NHL.

Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Steve Sullivan posted by Jeff Ponder

In what may go down as one of the most underrated signings today, the Penguins have brought in right-winger Steve Sullivan.

Sullivan, 36, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract.  The speedy winger contributed 10 goals, 12 assists and 22 points in 44 games last season for the Nashville Predators.  While he has lost a bit of his scoring touch (he once scored 34 goals for the Blackhawks in 2000-01 during the dead-puck era), Sullivan still can get the job done.  Keep in mind that the Predators are a defense-first team; it’s a completely different philosophy in Pittsburgh.

Last season, the Penguins had to rely on Chris Kunitz (23G-25—48) and Tyler Kennedy (21-24—45) late last season due to star centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin going down with injuries.  The Penguins have always been strong up the middle, but the lack of depth on the wings has hindered them from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the past few seasons. 

Sullivan will add to that depth and may even be a go-to-guy for Crosby on the top line.  The risk is miniscule for the Penguins.

Follow Jeff Ponder on Twitter (@jponder94) for all the latest updates on free-agent signings today.

Pittsburgh Loads up on Defense and Signs Zbynek Michalek to a 5-year, $20M Contract and Paul Martin to a 5-year, $25M Deal posted by Jeff Ponder

So... Gonchar, who?

The Penguins may have improved even more this off-season, making a big splash in the free-agent market.  Zbynek Michalek was a very steady-defenseman for the Phoenix Coyotes last season, while Paul Martin was skating the puck down his opponents' throats in New Jersey all season.

Michalek, 27, had just 17 points for the Coyotes last season, but really knows how to play in his end of the rink.  His big 6'2” frame saw opposing top-line forwards all season, and his plus/minus rating of five shows how good he was, when factoring in that he was on a low-scoring Phoenix squad. 

Paul Martin was one of the most-sought after free-agents that no one knew about... if that makes sense.  He had an injury-riddled season in 2009-10, but the season prior he amassed 33 points on a very defensive New Jersey roster.  His plus-55 career-rating is something to marvel in the 29-year old defenseman.

Losing Gonchar meant that the Penguins had to step up and get somebody on the open market.  Not only did they find a steady defenseman in Michalek, they got someone who can move the puck almost as well as Gonchar.  If these two are paired together in Pittsburgh, it could spell an end to other teams thinking that all they have to do is outscore the Penguins.Continue reading "Pittsburgh Loads up on Defense and ..."

Golden Effort Falls Just Short posted by Brad VanFossan

A Golden Effort Falls Just Short By Brad VanFossan I know it’s more than just a hockey game when my 63 year old father is looking forward to watching, and has been watching most of the hockey games during this Olympics. I know it’s more than just a game when patrons at bars ask to turn the hockey game on, both the men’s and women’s games, as I have seen happen over the last couple weeks. This is about reliving nostalgia for those who were around for the 1980 Gold Medal team‘s “Miracle“ run. And it’s about wanting to experience that same feeling for those of us who were too young or weren’t around then. This is the kind of thing the brings generations of sons and fathers together creating memories that become part of family lore. More importantly, this is a message to the world that hockey isn’t a secondary sport in the United States anymore, but one we can excel at, and even be the best.  It’s almost time for the opening face off, winning twice on enemy territory won’t be easy, but I think if anyone can, it’s this group of relentless young men. No matter what the outcome, they will put forth an effort to be proud of.My in game thoughts from the penalty box: -In the first U.S./Canada match up the U.S. was able to score first, taking the crowd out of things for a bit, today Canada scored first, it’s the first time the U.S. has trailed all Olympics. -Jonathan Toews goal was off of a rebound, not too much cause for concern yet. The U.S. is still playing pretty well, theyContinue reading "Golden Effort Falls Just Short"

The Pittsburgh Penguins shouldn't get rid of Jordan Staal posted by Amanda Dishong

Rumors have been going around that Jordan Staal might get traded soon. I think trading Staal would be a mistake for the Penguins. Staal is a young and talented hockey player. He is the best penalty killer on the team. He is on one of the best thrid liners in the league. In my opinion,  he is the best third line center in the NHL. With his size and skills, he is the most underrated player in hockey because he is over shadowed by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.Continue reading "The Pittsburgh Penguins shouldn't ..."

Fight Night in Flyer City posted by Greg

The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers got hot again last night. Last night there were a few fights and a scrum.

The game started out rough with a penalty to Philly in the first minute of the game. The Pens would capitalize on the power play very quickly. Only a minute and a half into the game, the first fight started between Adams and Laperriere. Adams would win pretty quickly.

However, the story of the night came at the end of the game when Hartnell bit Letang during an altercation. Hartnell actually started the fight when he crashed into Fleury, but he may have also bitten Letang.

I'm not sure if there is going to be a retaliation or not, it'll depend on how everything works out.

Anyway, I made a post on my website that talks more about it and has a couple of videos that show the game. Check it out if you'd like more information.

See the post at tipsforhockey.com

It's another Steelers Blog! posted by Nicole Ford

Hello, everyone, and welcome to my new Steelers Blog.  My name is Nicole, and I live in a little town called Butler, just an hour out of Pittsburg. I have lived here all of my life, and have been a part of Steelers nation.  I was not born to this, my family did not watch football together.  I am hoping to change this with my daughter.  I'm so proud of her.  Five years old, and already prone to cheering for the Steelers at the slightest provication.  Funny story recently.  The night of the final game of the Stanly Cup, actually.  My daughter and I were outside, and one of our neighbors was having a party, watching the game with their windows open.  Quite suddenly, they started a chant for the penguins, "Here we go, Penguins, here we go!"  My five year old daughter aparently thought they were saying it wrong.  She decided to correct them, by shouting the 'correct' lyrics down to them.  Say it with us now, "Here we go Steelers, here we go!"  The Penguins fans in the house heard her, and burst into laughter.                                                      I will be sharing my thoughts of the draft, the new season, and whatever else happens to be going on in Steelers nation.  I'll also probably have hilariouse stories about my little girl, Continue reading "It's another Steelers Blog!"

NHL Finals Recap and Award Predictions posted by Ryan Turner

The NHL season hasn’t even been over for a week and I already miss it. I have a fever and the only cure is more blaring goal horns. This season left a much better taste in my mouth than the previous one because not only did the Blues make it back to the postseason, their biggest rival didn’t win the postseason. The Red Wings had everything going their way. There hadn’t been a home team that had lost a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 38 years. The road team hasn’t won a championship in a Game 7 in any professional sport since the Pirates did it back in 1979. So Detroit took that fact and dominated the first period. Pittsburgh outshot the Wings 10-6 in the first, but it didn’t feel that way watching it. But then Detroit let them off the hook.

With no score after one frame, Pittsburgh had taken hold of the momentum. They got a turnover deep in the Wings’ zone in the first and a helpful bounce to take a 1-0 lead. Maxime Talbot was the culprit picking up his third goal of the finals. Just under nine minutes later, the Pens got an odd-man rush and Talbot struck again, firing a laser past Chris Osgood. It was a nice shot, but Osgood could’ve had it. If he stops that, it’s a completely different game. The Wings’ fans were still in the game after getting down 2-0, so staying within one likely would’ve allowed them to come back and win it. After all, they did manage to beat Marc-Andre Fleury once. Speaking of Fleury, he was a superhero for the Penguins in the third period, especially over the last two minutes. The diving save he made with about four seconds left was nearly as miraculous as Santonio Holmes’ catch to win Super Bowl XLIII. What a way to win the Stanley Cup. The Steelers got their rings last week, by the way. They weigh nearly a quarter of a pound. Now that’s some bling!

Stanley Cup Champs posted by Amanda Dishong

The Penguins did what everyone said they couldn't do. They beat the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena in game seven of the finals. Marc Andre Fleury played the game of his life. What a great save he made on Nicklas Lidstrom as time ran out on the Red Wings. But that being said, Max Talbot won the game for the Pens with his two big goals in game seven. The Penguins still found a way to win the game with the best player in the league missing half of the game. Malkin deserved to win the Conn Smythe trophy with all the great plays he made in the finals. I hope they don't lose too many guys in the off season, because I hope they repeat next season. Way to go Pens!Continue reading "Stanley Cup Champs"

Penguins win at home to force Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 posted by Jimi Begin

The Pittsburgh Penguins squeaked by the Detroit Red Wings by a single goal to take Game 6 by a score of 2-1 on their home ice.  As has been the precedent, the team having home ice advantage has taken every game so far in this too-close-to-call series.  The Red Wings will be glad to come back to play Game 7 at Joe Louis arena where they rarely lose.  They have an 11-1 record so far this year on home ice in the playoffs - and have outscored Pittsburgh 11-2 so far at home in this series.

After suffering a devastating 5-0 loss at the Joe in Game 5, Marc-Andre Fleury rebounded in typical fashion, playing some stellar hockey.  He stopped 26 shots in the game and fought off some quality scoring chances late in the  third period.  The only goal he let in was that of Kris Draper in the second period, after Detroit had gone down by a two goal deficit.  Chris Osgood was also excellent on the other end of the ice,  stopping some key shots by Pittsburgh's dangerous offensive machine and finishing with 31 saves overall.

It seems rare that we see this beast that we call "Stanley Cup Finals Game 7", but every hockey player aspires to get to this point.  It is the moment at which great players are defined and great teams make history.

Detroit has an incredible opportunity to grasp yet another Stanley Cup Title on their home ice this Friday evening.  God knows this Hockeytown could use a little good news in these tough times!

GO WINGS!!!!! 

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