Penguins back in action

Amalie Arena - 2018 NHL All-Star Weekend / MF

By: MF, 

Good evening everyone. It has been an eventful weekend with the NHL All-Star festivities, which took place in Tampa. Both Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang represented the Pittsburgh Penguins well.

2018 NHL All-Star lineup for Skills Competition / MF

After a nice break, the Pittsburgh Penguins are back in action tonight at PPG Paints Arena against the San Jose Sharks.

This is a critical part of the season for the Penguins as they push to clinch a playoff spot. They will have to stay focus, play smart, and play a consistent 60-minute game. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Simon - Crosby - Sheary
Hagelin - Malkin - Hornqvist
Guentzel - Sheahan - Kessel
Kuhnhackl - Dea - Rust

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Schultz
Cole - Oleksiak

Murray in the net!

Play - by - Play
PENS 5 Sharks 2

3rd Period
0:00 - Mark that down as a win for the Pens! They beat out the Sharks 5-2 and get a huge two points! Solid win!

1:13 - MALKIN SCORES! HAT TRICK! Rust hits the post and the puck comes back out into the neutral zone. After some passing, Malkin is able to put it in the open net. Crazy sequence. 5-2 Pens

2:50 - The Sharks have an empty net.

6:02 - RUST SCORES FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT! Kuhnhackl makes an unreal pass between his legs and behind him to Rust in the slot. Rust reaches out to gain control of the puck and backhands the puck over the pad of Jones. 4-2 Pens

9:08 - Solid penalty kill by the Pens.

10:12 - The penalty against Burns expires and the Sharks have a power play for 1:04.

11:08 - Letang will now go to the box for tripping. Four-on-four hockey for 56 seconds.

12:12 - Burns makes a return trip to the box for tripping. Power play time for the Pens.

13:59 - MALKIN SCORES FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT! Jones plays the puck behind the net and ends up turning over the puck to Hornqvist. He outlets to Malkin in front and Malkin puts it in the open net. Jones wasn't able to get back in time after the turnover. 3-2 Pens

14:35 - Sheary's redirection rings off the goal post!

15:07 - Lebanc's wrist shot is glove out of the air by Murray.

15:42 - Shots for this period are 2-0 in favor of the Pens. Shots for the game are 35-23 in favor of the Sharks.

20:00 - We are back for the third period! The Pens have to clean up their game and take it to the Sharks. No time to hold back. Lets Go Pens!


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

0:04 - MALKIN SCORES! Burns tries to reverse the puck behind the net, but it goes right to Kessel. He finds Malkin all alone in the slot area. Malkin blows one past Jones. 2-2 tie game.

1:25 - Couture scores on the power play. Couture is alone at the side of the net as the puck is slide across the goal mouth to him. He elevates the puck to put it past Murray, who got a piece of the puck before it went into the back of the net. 2-1 Sharks

1:30 - The first penalty ends. Sharks with a normal power play for 1:37.

1:53 - Letang is called for cross-checking. Sharks with a five-on-three power play for 23 seconds.

3:30 - Kessel catches Justin Braun up high. He will take a seat for high-sticking and the Sharks get another power play chance.

3:48 - Power play time expires.

4:41 - Logan Couture looks to have a breakaway, but Letang skates his heart out to get back and sweep the puck away from Couture before he can get a shot off.

5:48 - Power play time for the Pens. Barclay Goodrow will visit the sin bin for roughing against Dumoulin.

6:24 - Sharks are taking it too the Pens right now. They have the momentum.

7:32 - Shots are 28-17 in favor of the Sharks.

10:00 - Burns scores on the power play. Burns wrists a shot from the point, through traffic, and past the blocker of Murray. 1-1 tie game.

10:58 - Schultz to the box for interference. Penalty killing time for the Pens.

11:30 - Hornqvist's wrist shot is gloved up by Jones.

13:14 - Murray shuts down Mikkel Boedker in front with a pad save.

13:30 - Kessel stops right after gaining the blue line and finds Guentzel driving center. Guentzel's shot just goes wide on the blocker side of Jones.

17:06 - Cole is set free and the Pens kill off the penalty successfully.

17:50 - Kevin Lebanc fires a shot from the wing that is stopped by Murray. He holds for a whistle.

18:30 - Solid start to the penalty kill for the Pens as they spend some time in the offensive zone.

19:06 - Now the Pens will be shorthanded as Cole is ticketed for tripping.

20:00 - Time for the second period! The Pens need to keep playing fast, smart hockey, while also peppering Jones with pucks. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - The first period comes to an end and the Pens hold the 1-0 lead over the Sharks.

0:58 - Crosby outlets a pass off the boards to Kuhnhackl all alone in the slot. Jones stands tall to deny Kuhnhackl.

2:11 - That does it for the power play. The best chance came at the end for Guetnzel and Letang, but Jones shut them down.

4:11 - A power play chance for the Pens as Brent Burns heads to the penalty box for interference on Hornqvist.

4:56 - Sharks with a solid shift in the offensive zone. Karlsson whacks at the loose puck in front but doesn't get much on it. Murray covers for a whistle.

8:10 - Guentzel lays a hard hit on Joakim Ryan behind the Sharks' net.

8:51 - RUST SCORES! Cole pinches up in the play to keep the puck alive. Rust takes the puck and finds Sheahan center. Sheahan draws a few Sharks and that leaves Rust open on the wing. Sheahan dishes a pass to Rust. He drives the net, holds to cross the front of the net, and backhands one through the five-hole of Jones. 1-0 Pens

10:38 - Melker Karlsson swipes the legs right out from under Crosby. He goes down and is not happy with the play. Crosby gives Karlsson a few shoves. They both receive penalties. Karlsson for interference and Crosby for roughing. Four-on-four hockey.

10:45 - Letang rips a shot from the point that rings off the crossbar.

13:13 - Crosby with a hard shot, which is saved by Martin Jones. He gives up a juicy rebound, but the Sharks clear it out of the zone.

16:27 - Murray comes out to cover a loose puck. The Sharks are attacking early. Shots are 5-2 in favor of the Sharks.

17:41 - Sharks with two redirection chances from point shots. Murray makes the necessary saves.

20:00 - The puck has dropped at PPG Paints Arena! The Pens are back in action against the Sharks! Lets Go Pens! 

The Penguins continue their trip out west

By: MF, 

Tonight the Pittsburgh Penguins are in San Jose to take on the Sharks. They are coming off a great win against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

Follow tonight's game action here:

Forwards
Simon - Crosby - Sheary
Hagelin - Malkin - Hornqvist
Guentzel - Sheahan - Kessel
Kuhnhackl - Dea - Reaves

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Schultz
Hunwick - Oleksiak

DeSmith in the net!

Play - by - Play
Pens 1 Sharks 2

3rd Period
0:00 - That does it for this game. The Sharks end up with the 2-1 win over the Pens. The Pens gave it all at the end, but special teams won the game today for the Sharks.

0:17 - Timeout called by the Pens.

0:24 - Crosby puts one through the goal mouth.

0:55 - Guentzel plays some goalie to deny the Sharks an empty net goal.

1:14 - Malkin and Hertl are set free.

1:43 - Dell denies Kessel's quick shot.

2:12 - Empty net for the Pens.

3:14 - Hornqvist and Malkin get into a pushing and shoving match with Justin Braun and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Hertl also gets involved. We will have some four-on-four hockey play as Malkin and Hertl get matching minors.

3:32 - Dell is still holding strong for the Sharks. Not much time left for the Pens.

6:20 - Dumoulin's shot in the high-slot is blocked by Burns.

8:45 - Kessel with a scoring chance in front if turned away by the pad of Dell. Burns gets the rebound and clears.

12:21 - Labanc ends up getting a lead pass as she knocks down Maatta to get a breakaway. DeSmith shuts him down.

12:50 - Shots are 33-27 in favor of the Sharks.

16:35 - Pavelski gets a chance on a slight breakaway, but DeSmith denies him with a pad save.

18:07 - Hertl scores on the power play. Joe Pavelski easily wins the offensive zone faceoff back to Burns. Burns fires a shot-pass, which hits two players in front. Hertl gains control and puts it behind DeSmith. 2-1 Sharks

18:11 - Oleksiak will head to the sin bin for cross-checking, which gives the Sharks a chance on the power play.

19:59 - Sheary is back on the ice for the third period.

20:00 - We are back for the third period of this 1-1 game. The Pens have to get some pucks behind Dell. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - That does it for the second period and things are still tied 1-1.

1:48 - Malkin turns over the puck at the blueline and the Sharks get a two-on-one chance. DeSmith gloves up the shot by Hertl.

2:10 - Crosby with a deflection shot that is denied by Dell.

2:32 - A lot of line juggling going on right now as Sheary is out.

5:08 - Sheary blocks a shot that goes off his left hand. He immediately grabs his hand and heads to the locker room.

5:36 - Reaves lays a hard hit on DeMelo. There are some words exchanged after, but the two players are separated by the referees. FYI: Today is Reaves birthday - Happy Birthday!

5:55 - A goalie battle is taking place this period.

9:13 - The first line of the Pens crash the net and Crosby is able to get the puck back in front, but no one is there and the Sharks clear.

10:24 - Tomas Hertl pokes the puck out to the front of the net where Kevin Lebanc quickly whips it on the net. DeSmith closes the pads and puts his glove behind to keep the puck from squirting through.

11:16 - Time expires on the power play for the Pens.

12:58 - Dell robs Crosby once again!

13:05 - Simon is released and the Pens have a power play for 1:49.

13:16 - Hagelin draws an interference penalty on Dylan DeMelo. 11 seconds of four-on-four hockey.

15:05 - Now the Sharks get another power play chance as Simon is ticketed for slashing.

15:48 - That does it for the Pens power play. They had a great chance with the puck in front but were unable to convert.

17:48 - Back to the power play for the Pens as Burns takes a seat for tripping.

20:00 - Time for the second period. The Pens need to clean up their game (turnovers) and continue to pressure Dell. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - The first period comes to an end and this game is tied 1-1.

0:42 - Crosby quickly releases a shot from one knee. It goes off the mask of Dell into the netting.

2:16 - Timo Meier scores. Brent Burns finds Meier with speeding down the wing. He fires a hard shot that beats DeSmith glove side. 1-1 tie game.

6:37 - A successful penalty kill by the Pens. DeSmith looked sharped during the kill.

8:37 - Now the Sharks will head onto the power play as the Pens are caught with too many men on the ice.

9:05 - Shots are 6-5 in favor of the Pens.

12:41 - Pens and Sharks had some good scoring chances. Pens power play comes to an end.

14:41 - The Pens have a lot of energy to start this game. They end up getting the first power play of the game as Melker Karlsson sits for cross-checking.

16:42 - SHEARY SCORES! Sheary forces a turnover in the neutral zone and gets the puck in the zone. Simon gets the bouncing puck from behind the net and feeds a pass out to Sheary. Sheary beats Aaron Dell. 1-0 Pens

18:35 - DeSmith with a quality save to start this one.

20:00 - The puck has dropped in San Jose! The Pens need to come out with speed, put pucks on the net early and often. Lets Go Pens! 

UPDATE

By: MF,

Good evening everyone. I wanted to give you all a quick update.

For those that are unaware, I am a recent college graduate. While working to gain experience after college, I work during events at an arena, I do freelance writing, and am starting up my own business. This all keeps me very busy, but I always make time for this website that I started in high school.

I haven't been able to update during the past few games, which is due to my work at the arena. By the time I get home, the third period is underway or the game is already over. I appreciate everyone's patience during these times and I hope you all understand why I am not updating every game anymore.

I hope to continue to grow this website and will strive to make more time for that.

Thank you! 

Battle in Brooklyn

By: MF,

The Pittsburgh Penguins are back in action to faceoff against the New York Islanders. This is the second of back-to-back games for the Penguins. They lost their first game at PPG Paints Arena last night to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-0. It was a tough loss for the Penguins as their performance was lackluster on all accounts.

On the injury front, there are no updates. The team also didn't arrive in New York until around lunchtime due to the weather, so there was no morning skate.

The Penguins have to turn things around and play more like they did against the Philadelphia Flyers. That was a great way to start 2018 and they need to bring that attitude tonight. Lets Go Pens!

Follow tonight's game action below:

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

Defense
Maatta - Letang
Cole - Schultz
Hunwick - Oleksiak

Jarry in the net!

Play - by - Play
PENS 4 Islanders 0

3rd Period
0:00 - THE PENS GET THE 4-0 WIN! Jarry earns a 31-save shutout tonight. A great night for the netminder and the team has a whole.

0:47 - Jarry with another solid save. I feel like I can't say this enough tonight. He has played a key part of their win tonight.

2:29 - Once again the Pens penalty kill gets the job done. Jarry a huge part of that.

2:44 - Eberle lets go of a quick shot that is stopped by Jarry. No rebound chance.

4:29 - Cole will visit the box for cross-checking and the Islanders get a late power play opportunity.

6:32 - SPRONG SCORES AGAIN! Schultz keeps the puck in the offensive zone and Sprong ends up with the puck. The Islander defenders drift over to Crosby on the wing, which allows for Sprong to carry the puck to the front of the net alone. He elevates the puck over the glove of Halak. 4-0 Pens

7:47 - In front of the net, Mathew Barzal works the puck through his legs and shoots. Jarry puts the pads together to deny him. Great, save.

9:44 - Islanders get a two-on-one rush. Nelson's shot is stopped by both a sliding Schultz and Jarry.

10:14 - Power play time expires.

12:14 - Power play time for the Pens. Scott Mayfield is sent to the box for interference.

13:08 - Pens get pressured in the defensive zone. Kuhnhackl ends up breaking a stick. Jarry holds strong and eventually, the puck is deflected over the glass. After the whistle, Reaves and Brock Nelson exchange some shoves and words.

14:01 - Islanders crash the net, but Jarry kicks out the puck.

15:58 - Jarry has been really good to start this game. Islanders with some scoring chances, but he has shut them down.

18:00 - Pulock snaps a hard shot on net. Jarry stops the puck and gloves up the rebound with traffic in front.

20:00 - We are back for the third period! The Pens need to keep up the great work and not let the Islanders have any breathing room. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - That does it for the second period. The Pens hold the commanding 3-0 lead.

0:08 - A huge penalty kill for the Pens. Great job.

0:53 - Kessel's penalty time expires. Islanders still have 41 seconds of a power play left to go.

1:31 - Pens call a timeout.

2:08 - Terrible penalty to take. Hagelin is called for cross-checking. Islanders have a five-on-three power play for 1:17.

2:53 - Kessel is ticketed for slashing and the Islanders get a power play chance.

4:10 - CROSBY SCORES! Crosby with some amazing stick work in the offensive zone to find Sprong. Sprong's shot bounces off the goal and boards back out to Crosby. Crosby banks the puck off Halak into the net. 3-0 Pens

4:47 - Another great shift by the Pens. They have been putting the pressure on the Islanders. Solid second period.

10:13 - Jarry with a solid save with traffic in front. He has been great in this game for the Pens.

11:48 - That does it for the power play. Eberle is set free.

13:48 - Jordan Eberle takes a seat for hooking and that gives the Pens another chance on the power play.

15:00 - Kessel makes a 360 swing around the offensive zone. Once behind the net to outlets a pass short side to Guentzel. His shot goes under the pad of Halak but somehow stays out. Close one.

16:30 - MALKIN SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Kessel finds Crosby at the faceoff circle. He slips a pass across the ice to Malkin. Malkin goes on one knee to blow a shot past Halak. A beautiful tick-tac-toe play. 2-0 Pens

16:40 - Jarry comes out of the net to play the puck. He rips one off the glass up to Crosby at the far blue line.

17:51 - Now the Pens will get a chance on the power play as Ryan Pulock sits for tripping.

19:19 - SPRONG SCORES! Crosby wins the puck battle on the boards and a two-on-one develops with Sprong. Crosby holds and dishes a perfect saucer pass right to the stick blade of Sprong who directs it past Halak. 1-0 Pens

20:00 - The second period is underway! The Pens need to keep up the pressure and build off their successes in the first. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - The first period comes to an end. 0-0.

1:23 - Wow! Jarry absolutely robs Casey Cizikas with a pad save. Remember that save.

1:51 - There is some discussing on a possible Islanders penalty as the puck is shot out of the defensive zone and hits the camera. No penalty.

2:06 - Shots are 8-6 in favor of the Pens.

3:10 - Some good puck management by the Pens.

6:49 - Impressive shift by Simon, Crosby, and Sprong. Looked like the Pens were on the power play. Islanders a finally able to clear the puck and get a change.

7:20 - Crosby's backhanded shot is stopped by Jaroslav Halak.

8:57 - Scramble in front of Jarry, but the Pens get ahold of the puck and clear it up ice.

11:38 - Jarry with a big save on a point-blank shot by John Tavares.

13:50 - The fourth line of the Pens has a great shift. They grind it out in the offensive zone and it leads to a scoring chance for Schultz. His shot ends up going wide of the cage.

15:55 - Solid penalty kill for the Pens. Jarry is locked in.

17:41 - Jarry with a huge save with an Islander right in front battling for the loose puck. Jarry covers for a whistle.

17:55 - Islanders get the first power play of the game as Sheary ist ticketed for hooking.

20:00 - Game time! The Pens have to find some confidence and build some momentum. Time to get those critical two points! Lets Go Pens! 

Pittsburgh Penguins travel back to the 1970s

By: MF,

It is a groovy night for some hockey in Pittsburgh! The Penguins are hosting the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena with a 70's theme night taking place.

The Penguins are coming off a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers to start 2018. The win puts the Penguins within two points of taking over the New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes currently hold the second wild-card position. You can see the standings here.

Tuesday's game against the Flyers was good for the Penguins as they scored both on the power play and during five-on-five play. However, there were some injuries that occurred. Firstly, Tristan Jarry was unable to finish the game due to an injury to his hand. He did participate in the morning skate today and is ready to go for tonight. That is the only good news for the injury list. Brian Dumoulin and Carter Rowney join the list after suffering injuries during the Flyers' game. Dumoulin is day-to-day with a concussion. As for Rowney, he is out a minimum of four weeks with an upper-body injury.  Lastly, there are no updates on Bryan Rust or Chad Ruhwedel who still have no timelines.

Two points. That is the focus for the Penguins tonight. They need to get take the momentum from the Flyers' game and keep building off that success. This is the first game of a back-to-back situation with the Hurricanes being the opponent right now. Lets Go Pens!

Follow tonight's game action below: 

The Pens lineup is as follows:

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

Defense
Hunwick - Letang
Cole - Schultz
Maatta - Oleksiak

Murray in the net!

Play - by - Play
Pens 0 Hurricanes 4

3rd Period
0:00 - This game comes to an end. The Hurricanes get the 4- win and two points. Pens didn't match their play at all. They need to fix that before tomorrow's game against the Islanders.

4:38 - Murray shuts the five-hole to deny Aho of his hat-trick.

7:27 - Aho scores. Aho redirects a shot from the point in front. It goes over the glove of Murray. 4-0 Hurricanes

10:46 - Aho scores. Aho gains the zone and stays out of the reach of Schultz. He turns to the backhand in front and puts the puck through the five-hole of Murray. 3-0 Hurricanes

11:02 - Pens are showing their frustration.

12:15 - Power play time expires for the Pens.

14:15 - Sheary's shot attempt is knocked away by the blocker of Ward. Faulk ends up hitting the puck over the glass. He will get a delay of game penalty. Power play time for the Pens.

17:35 - Solid start to this period for the Pens. They have three shots, not to mention how many have been blocked or missed the net. Pens looking to break the ice and get an early one.

17:56 - Ward finds himself deep in the blue paint. Crosby backhands a put out to Simon in front. Ward denies him down low.

18:33 - Malkin's line generates some offensive in front of Ward. Sheary gets the loose puck and puts it back on net. Ward holds strong and the Hurricanes clear the puck.

20:00 - We are back for the third period. The Pens need to come out with an answer to counter the Hurricanes gameplay. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second-period horn sounds and the Pens are down 2-0 to the Hurricanes.

0:12 - Simon wrist shot is turned away by Ward. The best chance of the period for the Pens.

1:47 - Hurricanes are taking it the Pens right now. Murray comes up with two big saves. Pens haven't had a shot on the night since the nine-minute mark of this period. They only have nine total shots on net.

3:07 - Teuvo Teravainen scores. Jaccob Slavin jumps up in the play and goes across the ice to Sebastian Aho. Murray comes out to challenge Aho who slides the puck to the center. Teravainen picks up the loose puck and puts it into the open net. 2-0 Hurricanes

3:30 - Murray covers up the loose puck in front as Skinner is boxed out by Schultz.

5:35 - Pens are having trouble generating shots. Hurricanes are very tight checking and disciplined. They are working well and bottling the Pens up in the defensive zone. Pens have to do something.

8:13 - Another icing by the Pens. They are not in sync with each other. Head Coach Mike Sullivan has shown his displeasure for the guys not hunting down the puck and getting control.

10:28 - The Pens power play chance comes to an end. At the end of the power play, Jordan Staal drove out to poke the puck up to Brock McGinn who was in alone. Murray is able to kick away McGinn's shot.

12:28 - Now Skinner heads to the box for delay of game. The Pens get a critical power play chance.

13:10 - Jeff Skinner scores. Skinner pokes the puck off the stick of Cole. He works around and gets a lane. He snipes one past the glove of Murray. 1-0 Hurricanes

13:45 - Much like the first period. Not many whistles or shots, which are 10-8 in favor of the Hurricanes. The only penalty belongs to the Pens. Side note: The Hurricanes are the least penalized team in the league.

15:46 - Joakim Nordstrom fires a shot just wide of the net.

17:07 - Hunwick and Malkin both get quality scoring chances that are denied by Ward.

20:00 - Time for the second period! The Pens need to put some pressure on Ward. Lets Go Pens!


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

0:12 - A successful penalty kill for the Pens.

1:31 - Justin Faulk is left all alone in the slot area. Murray denies his slapper shot. A great save.

2:12 - The first penalty goes to Kessel for slashing. Hurricanes bring out their power play unit.

3:28 - Murray and Ward have been sharp in this period.

4:36 - Trevor van Riemsdyk comes flying down the wing. Murray comes out to the top of the blue circle to cut down the angle and stops van Riemsdyk's scoring chance.

6:02 - Not much to update on. Shots are tied at 3-3. All those shots were quality chances, but quite a few stick infractions by both teams. Referees seemed to have swallowed their whistles for now.

8:38 - Cole fires a shot from the blue line that gets through traffic. Ward gloves it up for a whistle.

9:17 - Ward denies a Pens' scoring chance and the Hurricanes get to the loose puck to get a rush up ice. Murray turns away their chance with a blocker save.

10:58 - It has been awhile since there has been a whistle. Low shot total still as both teams have two apiece.

11:50 - Both these teams have talented puck handlers. It makes for an interesting game.

13:01 - Crosby gets a scoring chance, but the puck is just knocked out of his reach.

15:20 - Hornqvist's shot in front is kicked out by Cam Ward.

16:19 - Shots are 1-1. Decent start for the Pens. Malkin with an unreal move in the defensive zone and is able to get a chance up ice.

20:00 - The game is underway! Pens need to build off their win in Philly and get these critical two points. Lets Go Pens!

A New Year (Game updates - Penguins @ Flyers 1/2/18)

By: MF,

Follow tonight's game action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers below:

Injury update: Justin Schultz and Kris Letang return to the lineup tonight.

The Pens lineup is as follows:

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

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Cole - Schultz
Maatta - Oleksiak

Jarry in the net!

Play - by - Play
PENS 5 Flyers 1

3rd Period
0:00 - PENS WIN 5-1! The Pens start off 2018 with a huge win over the Flyers. Now they need to build off this and keep things going.

1:01 - Really impressive work by the Pens even with injuries that have occurred throughout the game.

3:29 - Great penalty kill by the Pens.

4:04 - Murray robs Filppula in front with a pad save.

5:29 - Back onto the power play for the Flyers. Cole takes a seat for tripping. This is the Flyers fifth power play of the game.

5:56 - OLEKSIAK SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! HIS FIRST GOAL AS A PENGUIN! Crosby slides a backhanded pass to Kessel who fires a shot on one-knee. Neuvirth makes the initial save and Malkin ends up chipping the puck across the goal mouth. Oleksiak steps up to fire the puck in the open net. 5-1 Pens

6:15 - Oleksiak fires a hard shot that Provorov takes off the inside of his skate. He is limping around.

7:41 - Now the Pens get a chance on the power play as Raffl is sighted for interference on Maatta.

11:18 - Schultz fires a shot from the blue line that is blocked down by Neuvirth.

12:03 - Another solid penalty kill for the Pens.

14:03 - Flyers get a power play chance as Kuhnhackl is ticketed for tripping.

14:52 - First fight of the game. Oleksiak drops the gloves against Brandon Manning. He easily wins the fight, but it now icing his hands. Pens need him with Dumoulin still out of this one.

19:50 - Oleksiak is back on the ice after going to the locker room during the second period.

19:59 - Michal Neuvirth takes over in net for the Flyers. As for the Pens, Murray is still in net for the injured Jarry. No updates on the other injuries for the Pens right now.

20:00 - Game on! The Pens have to keep up the hard work and wrap this game up. 20 minutes to go. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second-period horn sounds and the Pens have a 4-1 lead over the Flyers.

1:03 - The bench is getting shorter for the Pens. Dumoulin went back to the locker room earlier and now Oleksiak went to join him.

2:00 - Raffl comes down the wing and takes the puck right to the side of the net. Murray holds the post to keep the puck out.

3:04 - Power play time is up for the Flyers.

4:12 - The puck goes off the back post behind Murray. It ends up going out the other end. Close call.

5:04 - Guentzel ends up lifting the puck over the ice in his defensive zone. He will take a seat for delay of game. Flyers get a critical power play.

5:26 - Jarry is headed to the locker room. Murray takes over in net.

6:34 - KUHNHACKL SCORES! Sheahan feeds a backhanded pass to Kuhnhackl in the slot. Provorov is unable to poke the puck away from Kuhnhackl, who gets ahold of the puck and fires it past Elliott. 4-1 Pens

7:16 - Michael Raffl gets a breakaway, but he sends it out the other side. Jakub Voracek gets the puck again and ends up finding Shayne Gostisbehere. Jarry makes the pad save and dives out to cover the rebound. The trainer comes out to check Jarry as he takes off his blocker glove. He looks to be in some discomfort but stays in.

8:11 - SHEARY SCORES! Cole battles on the boards and gets the puck. He chips it up into the neutral zone. Sheary out skates MacDonald to get the puck and is in all alone against Elliott. He doesn't miss. 3-1 Pens

8:20 - Sheary is back on the bench. He has been absent since early in this period.

8:51 - REAVES SCORES! Reaves fights behind the net with Ivan Provorov for the puck. He gets it out front. Reaves then goes to the front of the net and battles for position. Reaves ends up finding the puck and puts it five-hole on Elliott. 2-1 Pens

9:31 - Jordan Weal scores. Radko Gudas fires a shot from the blue line. Weal screens Jarry and gets a piece of the Gudas shot to redirect it past Jarry. 1-1 tie game.

10:25 - KESSEL SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Malkin sits at the blue line and goes across the ice to Kessel. Kessel gains the zone and passes over to Crosby who is driving down the center. Crosby goes back to Kessel. He quickly releases the puck and it blows past Elliott. 1-0 Pens

10:51 - Pens are getting their first power play of the game as Konecny is called for tripping. The crowd strongly disagrees with the call...shocking.

10:53 - Dumoulin is back.

11:49 - Jarry has been solid for the Pens. Very impressive.

13:17 - Dumoulin takes a puck up high. It hits him on the side of the helmet. One could hear that puck hit his helmet. He skates off and heads to the locker room.

13:22 - Andrew MacDonald backhands a hard shot. Jarry kicks out the pad to deny him.

14:32 - Guentzel finds Sprong open in the slot. His shot goes just wide of the net.

17:13 - To show the importance of Letang being in the lineup. His first game back and he leads the Pens in ice time. He is a beast.

18:07 - A very successful penalty kill for the Pens. They kept the Flyers from setting up in the offensive zone. The best scoring chance on that power play was Guentzel's chance. Elliott denied with a pad save.

20:00 - Second period time. The Pens have 1:53 left to kill off the Letang penalty. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

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

0:07 - A late penalty by Kris Letang for high sticking. Flyers get a power play.

0:34 - Kessel lets go of a quick shot on the wing. Elliott gloves up the puck.

1:58 - Reaves and Wayne Simmonds have exchange words and hugs in front of the Pens' net. The usual behavior.

2:52 - Shots are 9-4 in favor of the Flyers. The Pens are starting to get shots through.

4:05 - Good transition through the neutral zone for the Pens, which leads to a scoring chance for Kessel. Elliott denies him.

6:50 - Pens are getting outshot 6-2, but a solid start to this one. Pens can build off this start. Jarry is locked in.

8:38 - The Flyers get a two-on-one chance. They are unable to develop the play and end up losing the puck in the process.

9:31 - Shot number two for the Pens goes to Hornqvist, who gets a chance at the side of the net. Brian Elliot holds to keep the puck out.

11:57 - Travis Konecny gets the puck on net, but Jarry is able to kick it out. Pens end up icing the puck.

13:25 - Shots are 2-1 in favor of the Flyers.

16:29 - Physical. The Pens establishing their physical game early.

19:30 - Valtteri Filppula's wrist shot rings off the crossbar.

20:00 - The puck has dropped and the first game of 2018 is underway for the Pens. They need to get things back on track and get these two points. Lets Go Pens! 

2018 Penguins need to kick things into gear

By: MF,

Tonight the Pittsburgh Penguins play their first game of 2018 in Philadelphia against the Flyers.

With the first game of 2018 about to take place, the Penguins find themselves in a familiar, yet unfamiliar place. The Penguins know hardships and have come back to win it all, but after a dominating season last year it is odd for them to be in this position. They start 2018 near the bottom of the division and on the outside looking in on the playoff picture.

Halfway through this season, the Penguins are 19-18-3 with only 41 points and seventh in the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers are right below them with 40 points. As for the wild card position, the Penguins are three points away from the New York Islanders who currently hold the spot.

This is the perfect time for the beginning of a comeback story. The Penguins have a chance to make a statement to not only themselves but the fans and the league. With a win, they can build on and take the momentum all the way to the playoffs.

Furthermore, the Penguins got some good news to start the new year. Justin Schultz and Kris Letang were taken off the injured reserve list and are game-time decisions. The Penguins have missed these two top defenders a lot in the past few games. They are both critical parts of special teams and overall gameplay.

On another note, the Penguins recalled forward Dominik Simon from Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Also, Casey DeSmith, Andrey Pedan, and Garett Wilson were re-assigned.

Both the Penguins and Flyers need these two points. It will be a hard-fought battle, but this is the time for the Penguins to get things back on track. Here is to a better half of Penguins’ hockey in 2018. 

Lets Go Pens!