Flyers outlast Penguins; Letang injured posted by Flyers Fan

The Philadelphia Flyers never have had a problem ramping up their effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It's finding that same level against the rest of the NHL that has been an issue.

"I think we need to find some motivation to play like that every game, every night," Giroux said. "It's not an easy thing to do but we need to find a way to do that."

The Flyers skated most of overtime on the power play after a cross-checking penalty on Zach Still at the buzzer to end the third period and a bench minor on the Penguins for too many men on the ice at 2:04 of OT.

Philadelphia, which has the best home power play in the NHL, finally scored on its sixth man-advantage of the game.

It was a level the Flyers have lacked for most of the season, and one reason they're 11 points behind the Boston Bruins for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"It's hard to play this way for every game for 82 games," Voracek said. "It was a very emotional game. It was a battle for 60, 64 minutes. Obviously. if that's the way we're going to win the games, we have to play like that every game. ... Sometimes you have teams where they don't fight or don't hit as much as [the Penguins]. Sometimes you have to find a different way to win the games. I don't know why it's like that against the Penguins every time."

After a rough start to the season, the Flyers were happy to head into the All-Star break with some good feelings.

"Everyone is excited to go on a high note into the break," Schenn said. "After a game like that you need a couple days off to regroup. Obviously a lot of frustration and anger had built up over the way we've been paying. Good to see that we've gone through a lot lately and the guys have stuck together."

Everything's coming up goals for revitalized Rangers power forward Rick Nash posted by Rangers Fan

The first goal showcased Rick Nash’s dominance. He pounced on a turnover and took off on a 2-on-1 rush. A split-second before the defender could deflect the shot with an outstretched stick, he fired from the left circle and beat the goalie cleanly, giving the New York Rangers a 1-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins 26 seconds into the game Sunday.

The second goal showcased something else. The Rangers won a faceoff. Nash backed up with the puck above the left circle. While still backing up, he flicked the puck on net. It went off the stick of a defender in front, fluttered over the right arm of the goalie and fell across the line. It gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead and turned out to be the winning goal in a 5-2 victory.

There are two parts to Nash’s season: good health and good luck. He’s skating the way he used to skate, and he’s getting the bounces, and he’s tied for the NHL lead with 28 goals. He’s on pace for 53 goals, which would shatter his career high, as he heads to the All-Star Game in Columbus, the city where he spent his first nine NHL seasons.

 “It’s amazing,” Nash said. “When the puck’s going in, it’s going in. And when it’s not, it’s not.”

 This will be Nash’s 6th All star Game and it’s ‘weird’ for the former Blue Jacket to be in Columbus again.

They drafted him first overall in 2002, after their second NHL season. He became the face of the franchise and went to the All-Star Game five times – but the playoffs only once. He ended up requesting a trade.

Pittsburgh Penguins Strength Weaknesses and Stanley Cup Chances posted by Penguins Fan

The Pittsburgh Penguins finished 6th in the league and were stopped in the second round by the New York Rangers. The team started with a new coach Mike Johnston, and a new general manager Jim Rutherford, who replaced the previous coach and manager.

New Coach and Manager

The new manager started the season by signing in defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. 6 foot 2 Christian Ehrhoff is well known for his skating and shooting skills. Signed for $4milion from the Sabres he is going to be an asset and a boost for the team with his well known possession skills. Other key acquisitions that were made include Mike Johnston, Jim Rutherford, Nick Spaling, Steve Downie, Blake Comeau and Thomas Greiss.

Elite Centermen

The team main strength lies in two of its elite center players. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin the team does not have to worry about the center or its scoring abilities. Sidney Crosby finished the season with 104 points in 80 games. His performance has been consistent throughout his career. Evgeni Malkin finished the last season with 72 points in 60 games. The two ensure the center remains strong and helps to keep the forward strong.

However, the team still cannot score as much as it should, despite the fact that it has exceptional talent in the two centers. The defense is poor and this may be attributed to Kris Letang who stayed out of most games due to an injury last season. The team still has Norris Trophy and Marc-Andre Fleury who show real potential in helping the team strengthen its defence.

Conclusion

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!"

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