Thank you 2017 Penguins

PPG Paints Arena - MF

By: MF,

Well, that does it for 2017. The Pittsburgh Penguins end a very memorable year with a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The game summed up the new season for the Penguins, so far, but this is a chance for them to start fresh in 2018. They have been in this position before and rose from the ashes to capture glory.

As for 2017, there were a variety of moments and memories to accompany them. So many great ones that made us laugh, cry, bite our nails, have heart palpitations, and made us scream our heads off. I mean our neighbors, for those that don’t live in Pittsburgh, must think we are crazy. I could sit here and write a book on all these great moments, but I have a better idea.

I want you to take a moment and think back. Think of all the great moments and reminisce. Take it all in and let those goosebumps rise once again as you think back to those times. Don’t just think of those awesome Penguin moments, think about how you felt, where you were, who you were with, and let it all fill your mind.

What a year.

What a team.

Thank you 2017 Penguins!

Ready to finish 2017 with a Penguins win (Game updates - Penguins @ Red Wings 12/31/17)

By: MF,

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying themselves and here is to hoping we have even more to celebrate tonight. A new year and a Penguins' victory.

Follow all of tonight's game action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings here:

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Guentzel - Crosby - Hornqvist
Hagelin - Malkin - Kessel
Sheary - Sheahan - Sprong
Kuhnhackl - Rowney - Reaves

Defense
Dumoulin - Hunwick
Maatta - Corrado
Cole - Oleksiak

Murray in the net.

Play - by - Play
Pens 1 Red Wings 4

3rd Period
0:00 - This game is over. The Pens fall to the Red Wings 4-1 and finish 2017 with a loss. Hopefully, 2018 will allow them to start fresh and get things back on track.

2:19 - Howard has been very good this game. However, the Pens are making too many mistakes and then they aren't finishing their chances on net.

2:47 - Some pressure by the Red Wings. The Pens look like they have no answer.

3:26 - Nyquist scores again. Kessel turns over the puck in the defensive zone. Nyquist finds Bertuzzi in front. Murray makes the initial save, but Nyquist comes across the front of the net to grab the puck and put it in. 4-1 Red Wings

4:45 - Murray scopes up Nyquist shot attempt.

7:48 - Hornqvist comes flying down the wing and throws the puck on net. Howard holds for a whistle.

8:41 - Reaves lays a solid hit. He is not one to miss an opporunity to make his presence known on the ice.

12:01 - Howard continues to be solid for the Red Wings as the Pens get some offensive zone time.

14:35 - Another five or so minutes without much going on for the Pens.

20:00 - Third period time! The Pens have to clean up their game and finish their chances on Howard. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second period ends and the Red Wings hold the 3-1 lead.

0:04 - Turnovers by the Red Wings lead to some great chances for the Pens in front of the net. Howard stands strong to keep the Red Wings up by two.

2:17 - Sheary has the puck on a rush and goes to make a play, but his stick ends up breaking in half.

3:32 - Sheahan takes a hard hit and ends up heading to the locker room.

4:42 - Frans Nielsen scores. The Pens are caught up ice. Nielsen gets speed down the wing and beats Hunwick. Nielsen's shot hits Hunwick's stick on the way past Murray. 3-1 Red Wings

10:21 - Murray denies Larkin in front. The Pens get to the loose puck first and head up ice.

11:56 - MALKIN SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Kessel finds Malkin across the ice. Malkin goes to one knee and fires a hard shot. Howard reaches over and grabs the puck out of the air. It looked to be an unreal save, but that wasn't the case. The referees reviewed the play and determined that the puck had crossed the goal line as Howard reached back to grab up the puck. 2-1 Red Wings

13:25 - Howard with a huge pad save on Hunwick in front. The Pens are headed onto the power play as Nick Jensen is ticketed for interference on Sheahan.

13:42 - Crosby and Zetterberg battle behind the Red Wings' net. They exchange some blows and words.

14:05 - Not much to report on. Shots in the second are 3-2 in favor of the Red Wings.

19:01 - Dylan Larkin scores. Larkin takes advantage of the Pens changing. It drives down the wing and then turns the puck in to the front of the net. He puts one past Murray. 2-0 Red Wings

20:00 - We are back for the second period! The Pens need to keep putting on the pressure and not let up on Howard. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - The horn sounds to conclude the first period. The Red Wings hold the 1-0 lead. The Pens had some chances, but the finish wasn't there.

0:22 - Murray gloves up a shot by Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings with some good chances at the end of the first.

1:06 - The Pens missed out on a huge opporunity to tie things up. That power play was their chance to tie things up right away.

3:26 - Crosby crashes the net and fights for the loose puck. Howard ends up keeping the puck out.

3:56 - That does it for the power play. Not much to write home about. Also, Cole is back on the bench.

5:56 - The first half of the double minor is over.

7:56 - Tyler Bertuzzi catches Cole up high with his stick. Cole is bleeding and goes to the locker room to get fixed up. The Pens will head onto the power play for four minutes.

8:29 - Gustav Nyquist scores. Henrik Zetterberg makes a perfect backhanded pass to Nyquist. Nyquist stops on a dime and drags the puck around Corrado to fire a shot above the glove of Murray. 1-0 Red Wings

9:01 - Solid start for the Pens in this game and great penalty kill to help build some confidence.

9:46 - A successful penalty kill for the Pens.

11:46 - The first power play of the game goes to the Red Wings as Malkin is called for tripping.

12:24 - David Booth takes a puck up high. His forehead is bleeding and he will head to the locker room.

14:56 - Howard gobbles up Malkin's shot in front. He has been really good to start this game for the Red Wings.

16:21 - Mike Green turns over the puck. Crosby picks it up and brings it to the front and Jimmy Howard denies him. Sheary has a chance at a loose puck in front, but the Red Wings are able to clear.

17:03 - The new lines look like this: Guentzel - Crosby - Sheary; Hornqvist - Malkin - Kessel; and Hagelin - Sheahan - Sprong.

18:37 - Sullivan has switched up the lines early in this one. Sheary is out with Guentzel and Crosby for a shift.

20:00 - The game is underway! The Pens need to come out with speed and get to their game early. Lets Go Pens! 

One piece of business left in 2017

By: MF,

The end of 2017 is here and there is one piece of business left to do. It’s time to cap off 2017 with a Pittsburgh Penguins victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

It hasn’t been the greatest season for the Penguins, so far, after winning their second Stanley Cup Championship in a row. That doesn’t mean that it is too late for them to turn things around and a win tonight would be a great way to finish the year, while also being a great way to enter 2018.

The Penguins have been plagued with injuries these last few games. The team’s two top defensemen, Justin Schultz (lower-body) and Kris Letang (lower-body) both participated in the morning skate wearing the regular black practice jerseys. Matt Murray also practiced and stated yesterday that he was feeling good. As for Brian Rust and Chad Ruhwedel, they are still both on the Injured Reserve (IR) list.

Now the Penguins need a spark to help propel them to a win and that could come from Daniel Sprong. Sprong was recalled from Wilkes-Barre Scranton and will be thrown into the mix tonight. He is coming off a great performance for the baby Penguins and hopefully, he can use that momentum to get things going for the Penguins.

Another spark that might ignite tonight is Riley Sheahan, who will be facing his former team for the first time since he was traded to Pittsburgh. These types of games seem to bring up the best as players look to bring their gameplay to a new level. However, the Red Wings will have that same chance of a spark as Trevor Daley will be facing the Penguins for the first time, since he signed with the Red Wings this past summer.

This is a crucial game in many ways for the Penguins. The important thing is that they finish 2017 and go into 2018 with a win and two points. Lets Go Pens! 

Crosby vs MacKinnon (Game updates - Penguins @ Avalanche 12/18/17)

By: MF, 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in Colorado to take on the Avalanche!

Follow below for all updates on tonight's game:

Forwards
Guentzel - Crosby - Rust
Sheary - Malkin - Kessel
Hagelin - Sheahan - Kuhnhackl
Archibald - Rowney - Reaves

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Ruhwedel
Hunwick - Cole

Murray in the net!

Play-by-Play
Pens 2 Avalanche 4

3rd Period
0:00 - The Pens fall to the Avalanche 4-2. Major changes are coming to this team...now we wait to see what General Manager, Jim Rutherford does.

1:32 - Pens call a timeout.

1:33 - Rantanen scores an empty net goal. The Pens are unable to hold the puck in the zone and Rantanen gets behind them. He easily slides the puck into the open net. 4-2 Avalanche

1:48 - Murray to the bench and the Pens have an empty net.

2:18 - The Pens haven't been able to get into the offensive zone and set up. The Avalanche are holding the blue line well.

3:30 - Some sustained pressure in the offensive zone by the Avalanche. The Pens are finally able to clear.

6:12 - Reaves, down on his knees, finds the loose puck in front. He chips it past Varlamov, but the post gets in the way and it bounces back out the other side of the net. In real time it looked to be in.

7:42 - Murray has been giving the Pens the chance to take back this game in this period. He has been sharp between the pipes.

10:05 - Murray slams the door on Soderberg who comes flying into the zone and was right on the doorstep.

11:30 - The two-headed monster of Crosby and Malkin are on the ice.

15:53 - Murray flashes the glove to deny Gabriel Landeskog at the side of the net.

17:26 - Reaves puts down his head and gets back. He makes a diving play to deny the Avalanche a quality scoring chance. He ends up colliding with Murray and the goal post. Everyone looks to be alright.

18:35 - MALKIN SCORES! Cole's shot is saved by Varlamov and Malkin is ready at the side of the net to get the rebound. He puts the puck into the back of the net. Malkin scored just as the power play expired. 3-2 Avalanche

18:55 - Maatta is set free and the Pens have a 20-second power play to work with.

20:00 - The guys are back on the ice and ready to start the third period. There is still 1:04 left on the four-on-four and then the Pens will get a brief power play. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second-period horn sounds and the Avalanche hold the 3-1 lead over the Pens.

0:36 - Hagelin ends up drawing a holding penalty on Mikko Rantanen. Four-on-four hockey time for 1:39.

0:57 - Maatta is ticketed for tripping. Pens to the penalty kill.

1:40 - Compher scores. Another poor change for the Pens and the Avalanche fly into the offensive zone unchallenged. The puck goes off the pad of Murray and Compher knocks the loose puck in. 3-1 Avalanche

4:07 - Another successful penalty kill for the Pens. Murray was sharp on the penalty kill.

6:07 - Penalty killing time again for the Pens as Cole visits the box again this time for holding.

7:00 - The penalty kill is successful this time around.

7:34 - 34 seconds left on Letang's penalty. Power play time for the Avalanche.

9:00 - Now some four-on-four action for 1:26 as Letang is ticketed for tripping.

9:34 - Zadorov is off to the box again. This time he sits for interference.

10:30 - Archibald fires from the wing and Varlamov gets a piece. The puck ends up sneaking through and is on edge on the red line. It falls flat finally, but it's not only the red line and Varlamov reaches back to cover the puck up.

13:15 - Horrible change for the Pens and the Avalanche that leads to a three-on-zero play for the Avalanche. An overpass and missed shot save things.

13:40 - A beautiful passing play by the second line of the Pens. Malkin gets the puck last and is wide open in front. Varlamov gets a piece to deny Malkin once again.

14:04 - Barrie scores on the power play. Barrie fires a hard park through traffic in front. It finds its way past all the players in front and past Murray. 2-1 Avalanche

15:06 - Cole heads to the box for cross-checking and the Pens will go onto the penalty kill.

15:21 - Guentzel's sharp-angle shot is denied by the mask of Varlamov.

19:31 - The Avalanche dump the puck into the Pens' zone. Murray misplays the puck behind the net and gives it up to the Avalanche. Carl Soderberg ends up getting the puck in the slot with a screen in front, but his shot goes just wide.

20:00 - Time for the second period! The Pens need to keep up the pressure on Varlamov. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - That does it for the first period. Things are tied 1-1.

0:22 - The Pens get sustained pressure as the period comes to a close. Varlamov is stopping everything that gets to him.

3:50 - Compher looks to have a goal for the Avalanche, but the referees wave it off. The ruling is that it is a no goal due to incidental contact with the goaltender. Andrighetto ended up skating into Murray's pad.

7:08 - Power play time expires for the Pens.

9:08 - Nikita Zadorov will head to the box for high-sticking. Power play time for the Pens.

9:21 - RUHWEDEL SCORES! Rust wins the faceoff and the puck bounces off the boards back to Ruhwedel. He quickly releases a shot that Varlamov slows down, but it finds a way through and trickles over the goal line. 1-1 tie game.

9:27 - Varlamov robs Malkin in front. Varlamov is locked into this one.

10:01 - J.T. Compher fires a hard shot that beats Murray's glove, but not the goal post.

12:28 - Kessel receives a pass at the Avalanche's blue line and gets in all alone. He tries to go five-hole, but Semyon Varlamov shuts him down.

14:56 - Tyson Barrie scores. Barrie uses Blake Comeau as a screen and rips a shot past the glove of Murray. 1-0 Avalanche

18:00 - Murray uses his long legs to quickly get the pad out and stop Sven Andrighetto's shot. Unreal save. 

19:50 - Crosby gets speed up the wing, but the play is broken up right before he can take a shot. 

20:00 - The puck has dropped and this game is underway! Tonight's game is the last of the Penguin's three-game road trip. Lets Go Pens! 

The Penguins visit Fleury in Vegas (Game updates - Penguins @ Golden Knights 12/14/17)

By: MF,

Welcome Pittsburgh nation! The Pittsburgh Penguins are in Las Vegas to face off against the Vegas Golden Knights for the first time.

It will be a bittersweet game for the Penguins as Marc-Andre Fleury will be between the pipes for the Golden Knights. One of the best goalies in Penguins history and will forever hold a place in all Pittsburgher hearts.

On the injury front, Matt Murray will be back in the lineup tonight. As for Justin Schultz and Tom Kuhnhackl, they are still out.

The Penguins will have to come out with speed, play clean, and keep things simple. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Guentzel - Crosby - Simon
Hornqvist - Malkin - Kessel
Hagelin - Sheahan - Sheary
Rust - Rowney - Reaves

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Ruhwedel
Hunwick - Cole

Murray in the net!

Play-by-Play
Pens 1 Golden Knights 2

3rd Period
0:00 - That does it for this one as the Golden Knights defeat the Pens 2-1. Fleury had a great game against his former team. Hard loss for the Pens. They need to fix this right away.

2:00 - Empty net for the Pens.

2:02 - Horrible time to take a penalty and the Pens do just that. Ruhwedel is off to the sin bin for hooking.

3:43 - Now the Pens have had their chances on net and Fleury has held strong. However, they don't look all that good, especially defensively. One can see the holes in their gameplay.

4:18 - Murray dives out to knock the puck away and denies the Knights an odd-man rush scoring opportunity.

5:45 - Not much to report on right now. The Knights have owned this game and the Pens have moments where they show up, but in all, they look lackluster. This is a problem.

6:01 - Murray with a huge pad save after a horrible turnover in front of the net.

11:43 - Merrill scores his first goal as a Golden Knight. Erik Haula rushes into the offensive zone taking on Letang. He passes the puck back to Merrill, who is entering the zone. He uses Dumoulin as a screen and blows a shot past the glove of Murray. 2-1 Knights

14:32 - Neal's point-blank shot is kicked out by Murray. He gloves up the rebound chance for a whistle.

16:22 - Crosby's sneaky shot goes off the crossbar.

16:40 - Fleury denies Maatta!

20:00 - The third period is underway! The Pens have to put the pressure on the Knights. They need to lift things to a new level. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The horn sounds to end the second period. This one is still tied 1-1.

2:55 - Power play time is up for the Pens. Golden Knights and Fleury doing well on the penalty kill.

3:39 - Fleury shuts the door on Hornqvist in front of the net.

4:55 - Merrill is ticketed for smothering the puck with his hand. Power play time for the Pens.

6:19 - Simon is unable to pull the trigger on a shot set up by Crosby. Dumoulin gets the puck at the side of the net. Fleury robs him with a diving save.

10:13 - The Knights are the ones pushing the pace and pressuring often. The Pens have quick chances, but nothing sustained.

12:42 - A successful penalty kill for the Pens. Murray had some quality saves. The best chance came off David Perron's shot, which rang off the goal post.

14:42 - Cole heads to the box for interference and the Golden Knights get a power play chance.

15:40 - Murray comes up with a big save. He goes down fighting for position but looks no worse for wear.

16:24 - Sheary throws the puck on net. The puck goes off Hagelin's skate in front and under Fleury. Fleury lays down on the puck as Hagelin pokes for the puck. The referee blows the whistle.

18:39 - The Pens need to find a spark to turn things in their favor. The Knights are flying on the ice.

20:00 - Time for the second period. The Pens have to clean up their game defensively and they need to take the game to the Golden Knights. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - That does it for the first period. Not the best period for the Pens, but things are tied 1-1.

0:18 - The Golden Knights get an odd-man rush. Cody Eakin comes right down center unchallenged. His shot rings off the crossbar!

1:52 - One can see how much the Pens are missing Schultz on defense. The defense just isn't the same. Hunwick is struggling a bit back there.

3:17 - That does it for the Pens. They had a great chance with the puck was loose in front and Fleury was down. Not sure how the puck stayed out.

5:17 - Another power play chance for the Pens as Tomas Nosek receives a penalty for holding.

7:56 - COLE SCORES! The Pens get a lucky break as the puck bounces off the referee at the corner boards. Sheahan gets the loose puck and goes to Hagelin. He spins around and outlets a pass to Cole at the side of the net. He has a wide open net. 1-1 tie game

10:10 - Murray with a huge save on Deryk Engelland. Hunwick turned over the puck behind the net and a centering pass went all the way to the point to Engelland.

12:54 - A solid save by Murray.

13:27 - Fleury comes way out of the net to poke check the puck away from Sheary on a breakaway. She slides across to sweep the puck away with his body. He is very confident in this one early.

14:35 - Fleury robs Guentzel on a chance. On the next play, Fleury denies Letang.

15:52 - Power play time expires. Kessel had the only quality scoring chance and Fleury denied him.

17:52 - The first power play of the game goes to the Pens. Jon Merrill sits for interference.

18:19 - James Neal scores. Murray makes the initial save, but Neal puts the rebound over the glove of Murray. 1-0 Golden Knights

19:30 - Marc-Andre Fleury turns away Kessel's shot with the blocker.

20:00 - The puck has dropped in Las Vegas! Time for the Pens to come away with two big points. Lets Go Pens! 

The Penguins look to keep the momentum going in their favor (Game updates - Penguins vs Rangers 12/5/17)

By: MF, 

It's hockey night once again in the city of Pittsburgh! The Penguins are coming off two commanding wins over the Buffalo Sabres. That makes four wins in a row. Now they look to continue that winning streak tonight against the New York Rangers.

The Penguins have been playing a full game of consistent hockey. Their last two contests show that and leading the way is rookie netminder Tristan Jarry. Jarry even earned his first NHL career shutout in a 4-0 win on Friday against the Sabres. He has been stepping up to the plate with Matt Murray being out with a lower-body injury. The team needs to continue to keep up this play style and give support of Jarry.

Tonight's game will be this all to the test and they should be able to pass it without issue. However, that is not always the case. Analysis things on paper are nowhere close to the actual game that ends up taking place. Lets Go Pens!

Follow tonight's game action here:

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Sheary - Crosby - Hornqvist
Guentzel - Malkin - Kessel
Hagelin - Sheahan - Rust
Kuhnhackl - Rowney - Reaves

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Hunwick
Cole - Schultz

Jarry in the net!

Play - by - Play
Pens 3 Rangers 4

3rd Period
0:00 - The Rangers hang on to get the 4-3 win over the Pens. The Rangers were just more lucky than the Pens in this one.

0:26 - Letang fans on a shot and the Rangers end up icing the puck.

1:04 - Timeout for the Pens.

1:34 - The Pens have an empty net.

2:22 - Malkin has a wide open net and ends up hitting the goal post. That is the second post he has hit tonight. He can't believe it.

3:31 - Sheary comes flying into the offensive zone. His shot just goes wide of the net.

4:17 - The Pens are swarming the Rangers in the offensive zone. They haven't been able to get anything past Pavelec yet.

6:10 - Crosby gains possession of the puck behind the net and outlets to Cole. He quickly releases the puck on net. Pavelec makes the save with his glove.

8:48 - Buchnevich scores. Buchnevich tries to make a pass across center while driving down the wing. The puck goes off the inside of Letang's skate in front and over the glove of Jarry. 4-3 Rangers

11:33 - Each team has exchanged scoring chances. Up and down hockey.

14:41 - Cole lays out Zuccarello at the Rangers' blue line.

16:22 - HORNQVIST SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Malkin finds Hornqvist fresh off the bench and up ice all alone. Hornqvist comes flying into the offensive zone and beats Pavelec glove side. 3-3 tie game.

16:45 - A minute power play opportunity for the Pens.

17:45 - Shattenkirk ends up taking a slashing penalty, which leads to a four-on-four hockey situation for one minute.

18:45 - Penalty killing time for the Pens as Hunwick finds himself in the box for hooking.

19:59 - No Schultz to start the third.

20:00 - We are back for the third period! The Pens have to put the pressure back on the Rangers and make sure to keep things simple. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second period comes to an end and the Rangers have the 3-2 lead.

2:40 - Mats Zuccarello scores. Zuccarello gets the puck and has a step on Hunwick. He sneaks a shot five-hole on Jarry. 3-2 Rangers

3:23 - The power play comes to an end. The Pens had a few quality scoring chances. The Rangers also had a two-on-one shorthanded opportunity, but the puck goes wide of the net.

5:23 - Another power play chance for the Pens as Kevin Shattenkirk is off to visit the sin bin.

7:34 - Jesper Fast scores. Jarry makes an initial save on Brady Skjei after he blows past Letang, but Fast beats Guentzel to the loose puck and puts it past Jarry. 2-2 tie game

9:40 - Power play time expires for the Pens. The best chance was Malkin's shot that rang off the goal post.

11:40 - J.T. Miller is off to the sin bin for hooking and the Pens get their first power play chance of the game.

12:49 - KESSEL SCORES! Guentzel outlets the puck from behind the net to Kessel in the slot area. Kessel rips a rocket shot through the five-hole of Pavelec. 2-1 Pens

13:06 - Schultz is headed back to the locker room.

14:33 - Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich get a two-on-one chance. Kreider goes to Buchnevich who is driving down the center. Jarry poke checks the puck off his stick as he goes crashing into Jarry. Jarry looks to be alright after that.

15:35 - Sheahan whips a quick shot on net. Pavelec squeezes the pads to deny him. He even looks back as he was unsure whether he has the puck.

15:54 - Some great pressure from the Pens. The Rangers ice the puck in the process. A very tired bunch of Rangers.

16:55 - A scramble ensues in front of Jarry, but he holds down the fort.

17:00 - Malkin gets a quality scoring chance on the backhand, but Pavelec is able to get a piece of it to direct it over the net.

17:32 - Guentzel is robbed by the Pavelec!

19:59 - Schultz is back to start the second.

20:00 - Time for the second period. The Pens need to put the pressure on Pavelec and give Jarry a little breathing room. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - That does it for the first period and this game is tied 1-1.

0:17 - A successful penalty kill for the Pens. They held the Rangers to zero shots on the power play.

2:17 - The first power play goes to the Rangers as Cole heads to the box for tripping. Schultz is headed off to the locker room after a collision with Rick Nash.

3:11 - Boo Nieves scores his first NHL career goal. Nieves fires a hard shot through traffic and it finds its way through the five-hole of Jarry. 1-1 tie game.

4:47 - SHEARY SCORES! Sheary enters the zone and tries to make a pass to center for Hornqvist. The puck bounces across the center and Hornqvist doesn't give up on it. He eventually gets a stick on it to backhand it to Sheary at the side. Sheary puts the puck past Pavelec. 1-0 Pens

6:35 - Schultz finds Reaves up ice and he gets behind the defense. His shot rings off the goal post!

7:12 - Shots are 9-3 in favor of the Sabres.

9:30 - Kessel puts the puck in the blue paint, but the Rangers get a stick on it to deny Crosby a tap in.

10:49 - The Rangers get some pressure going in the offensive zone. Jarry does a good job of keeping them at bay. A little disagreement among players after the whistle.

14:24 - Fast start for the Rangers also have some speed to start this game. Not much going on though. More back and forth type of game.

15:37 - Ondrej Pavelec makes a blocker save on a rising shot from Maatta.

17:46 - Jarry with an early save.

20:00 - The puck has dropped in PPG Paints Arena! The Pens need to take it to the Rangers early and keep up the pressure! Lets Go Pens! 

Malkin returns (Game updates - Penguins @ Sabres 12/1/17)

By: MF, 

A back-to-back, home and home game situation for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. Things start in Buffalo and will move to the Burgh tomorrow.

On the injury front, the Penguins are finally getting back Evgeni Malkin. He comes in at a critical time as the Penguins will be without Matt Murray in net. Murray sustained a lower-body injury on Monday night against the Philadelphia Flyers and he is week-to-week. Instead, Tristan Jarry will have to step up.

In addition, the Penguins have called up Casey DeSmith to backup Jarry.

Moreover, Ian Cole is back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch for a few games. His presence is much needed, especially with Murray being out.

The Pens will have to play smart, keep the front of the net clear of traffic, and get some offense going. Lets Go Pens!


Follow below for tonight's game updates and play-by-play. 

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Sheary - Crosby - Hornqvist
Guentzel - Malkin - Kessel
Hagelin - Sheahan - Rust
Kuhnhackl - Rowney - Reaves

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Hunwick
Cole - Schultz

Jarry in the net.

Play - by - Play
PENS 4 Sabres 0

3rd Period
0:00 - THE PENS WIN! JARRY GETS HIS FIRST NHL SHUTOUT! The Pens with a commanding 4-0 win over the Sabres. A complete and consistent game for them.

2:28 - Rust and Kane are set free.

4:02 - Jarry flashes the glove to grab the puck out of the air.

4:28 - Kane lays a cheap shot on Rust. They exchange blows and words. A scrum ensues. Each receives a two-minute minor penalty. Four-on-four hockey time.

5:47 - The Pens kill off the penalty. The crowd was booing the Sabres effort once again.

7:47 - Dumoulin is off to the box for holding. Penalty killing time.

9:40 - Sheary is shaken up after a hit from Ristolainen. He stays on the bench.

13:14 - Crosby finds Sheary in front, but Lehner closes the door on Sheary.

13:48 - Some great defensive backchecking by Cole. Kyle Okposo tries to lean on Cole as he drives the net and ends up losing an edge. Jarry is able to easily cover the loose puck for a whistle.

15:15 - A more defensive approach for the Pens to start this period.

18:58 - Jarry robs Jack Eichel in front. He was ready to start this period.

20:00 - We are back for the third period! The Pens need to wrap this game up with a win. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second-period horn sounds and the Pens have extended their lead to 4-0.

0:19 - Jarry comes out to challenge Jason Pominville. He makes the save and holds for a whistle.

0:39 - HORNQVIST SCORES! Crosby and Sheary work around the back and front of the net. Sheary outlets a pass to Hornqvist in the slot. Hornqvist goes high blocker on Lehner. 4-0 Pens

2:14 - The Pens kill off another penalty.

2:53 - Cole lays a solid body check on Kane in the neutral zone.

4:14 - The Sabres will get a third chance on the power play as Hagelin is headed to the sin bin for tripping. Bring out the penalty killers.

4:45 - Scandella's fires a hard slap shot that goes off the top of Jarry's stick.

6:59 - Jarry stretches out to deny Sam Reinhart at the side of the net. Jarry is locked into this one.

8:20 - That does it for the power play. The Sabres had good pressure on the penalty kill to keep the Pens from setting up in the offensive zone.

10:20 - Now the Pens get a crack at the power play. Marco Scandella sits for slashing.

10:51 - Another solid penalty kill by the Pens.

12:51 - Hunwick is ticketed for delay of game. He backhands a puck over the glass while in the defensive zone. Penalty killing time for the Pens once again.

13:50 - Ristolainen is robbed by Jarry in front. Amazing save by the young netminder.

16:38 - A successful penalty kill for the Pens and Rust is set free.

16:59 - Hagelin gets a chance and goes high glove. Lehner just gets a piece to direct the puck wide.

18:38 - Rust gets the first penalty of the game. He will head to the box for holding and the Sabres are going onto the power play.

20:00 - Second period time! The Pens need to pick up where they left off in the first. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - That does it for the first period and the Pens hold a commanding 3-0 lead. A great start.

0:53 - Jarry with another solid save on a point-blank shot by Jordan Nolan. He has looked sharped in this period.

1:55 - GUENTZEL SCORES! Jarry makes two big saves and sends the Pens up the ice. Malkin enters the zone, drawing two Sabres. He passes the puck up to Guentzel, flying down the wing. He goes behind the net and scores on a wraparound chance. 3-0 Pens

4:40 - The Sabres have gotten some offensive zone pressure, but not much. The arena is very quiet aside from the Penguin fans in attendance.

8:55 - Some pushback by the Sabres, but they are unable to keep the puck in the offensive zone.

10:01 - Jarry makes a solid save on a sneaky wrist shot.

13:22 - CROSBY SCORES! Rasmus Ristolainen turns the puck over to Crosby in the slot. Crosby takes the puck and puts it over the glove of Lehner. 2-0 Pens

14:25 - Fast start for the Pens. The time they had off has been beneficial. They have some jump in their game. Solid start.

16:37 - KUHNHACKL SCORES ON A PENALTY SHOT! Kuhnhackl drives to the net and quickly releases a shot that goes over the glove of Robin Lehner. 1-0 Pens

16:38 - Kuhnhackl gets in behind the defense, but he is hooked up before he can get a shot off. The referees blow the whistle and reward him with a penalty shot chance.

20:00 - The puck has dropped and this game is underway! Great to have Malkin and Cole back in the lineup! Lets Go Pens!