PenguinPoop - Pittsburgh Penguins Blog

Toronto’s MacArthur Parks Penguins 1-0

Rick Buker — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:42:18 PST

Just when it seemed the high-flying Penguins might never lose, Toronto snapped the black-and-gold’s eight-game winning streak Wednesday night in a taut defensive struggle at Air Canada Centre. Nemesis Clarke MacArthur (seven goals in 20 games versus the Pens) supplied the offense, while James Reimer (25 saves) outdueled Brent Johnson in a battle of seldom-used backups.

In stark contrast to Tuesday’s wild-and-woolly goal-fest in Pittsburgh, the clubs engaged in a hard-fought, low-scoring affair.

“Just a tight-checking game,” Pens defenseman Matt Niskanen said. “The good thing is that we were better defensively. That was our focus coming in.”

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Penguins Burn Leafs 5-4 in Shootout

Rick Buker — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:47:02 PST

I’ve pretty much given up trying to come up with superlatives to describe the Penguins’ 5-4 shootout win over Toronto at CONSOL Energy Center on Tuesday night. Awesome? Too trite. Spine-tingling? Close, but no cigar. Amazing? Gettin’ warm.

It wasn’t enough that the Pens overcame a 4-1 third-period deficit—not to mention a stirring two-goal effort by birthday boy Mikhail Grabovski—to snatch their eighth win in a row. Rather, it was the way they accomplished the feat. They won with a riveting display of purpose and intensity that bordered on sheer savagery.

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Pittsburgh Penguins 2012 Deadline Trade Rumors

PenguinPoop.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:58:06 PST

We will keep updating this until the trade deadline:

Here we go again, the trade rumors are circling and the Pittsburgh Penguins have been brought up again over and over mostly mentioning the Penguins picking up rental players.

—————- February 1st, 2012

This is not a rumor: The Penguins picked up 25 year old 6′ Center Cal O’Reilly off waivers from Phoenix. His cap hit is $375,000. O’Reilly was originally drafted by Penguins GM Ray Shero back when Shero worked for the Nashville Predators. It is unknown where O’Reilly fits into the Pens lineup, but this could be a pre-cursor to more moves by Ray Shero. O’Reily has 13 goals and 40 points in 107 games and does not have any NHL playoff experience.

—————- January 30th, 2012

Scott Cullen – TSN.COM - “The wild card for the Eastern Conference may be the Pittsburgh Penguins. If they know they will have Sidney Crosby available, the Penguins are likely Cup contenders and can make the kind of move that might put them over the hump.” “Pittsburgh should at least upgrade their secondary scoring. Even once Jordan Staal returns to the lineup, Malkin, James Neal and Chris Kunitz could use additional support if the Penguins are going to make serious noise in the postseason. ”

—————- January 21st, 2012

OTTAWA SUN – “Montreal D Hal Gill will be a hot commodity once the Habs decide to start unloading. The Flyers, Penguins, Panthers and Senators all have interest. Don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh brings back Gill; the Penguins never wanted to lose him to free agency weeks after he helped them win the Cup in 2009″

OTTAWA SUN - “The Penguins have more than a passing interest in Tampa’s(...)
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Penguins All-Star Memories

Rick Buker — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:29:13 PST

Most Penguins fans are familiar with the All-Star exploits of Steel City superstars like Mario Lemieux. Indeed, those of us who are old enough will never forget Mario’s breathtaking four-goal effort before an adoring throng at the 1990 All-Star Game—the first ever hosted in Pittsburgh.

However, No. 66 isn’t the only Penguins player to shine in All-Star competition. On the contrary, in the days before the Fantasy Draft, Super Skills Competition, and double-digit scores local skaters snatched the spotlight with stunning regularity.

The first Penguin to make a splash at the All-Star Game was left wing Greg Polis. Picked seventh overall in the 1970 Amateur Draft, the husky 6’0” 195-pounder could skate like the wind and possessed a blistering shot. One of the few players of his day to make the jump directly from junior hockey to the NHL, Polis scored 30 goals for the Pens in only his second season.

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Video: Crews Start Demolition of Civic Arena Roof

PenguinPoop.com — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:26:10 PST

Video of constuction crews dropping a portion of the Civic Arena’s roof. At about the 1 minute mark you can see the whole roof slide when the piece is collapsing.

Ex-Penguins Update: 2012 All-Star Break

PenguinPoop.com — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:17:46 PST

Here’s a quick glance at how former Penguins are faring at the 2012 All-Star break.

Forwards and Defensemen
Player	Pos	Team	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	+/-
Marian Hossa	RW	Chicago	49	20	33	53	16	24
Matt Moulson*	LW	NY Islanders	48	22	21	43	6	9
Jaromir Jagr	RW	Philadelphia	40	12	22	34	14	8
Ryan Malone	LW	Tampa Bay	41	10	17	27	37	- 3
Petr Sykora	RW	New Jersey	48	12	14	26	30	3
(...) Read the rest of Ex-Penguins Update: 2012 All-Star Break © PenguinPoop.com for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| No comments \| Penguins History: Duane Rupp Rick Buker — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:51:34 PST Next to Ron Stackhouse, perhaps no Penguin was less appreciated in his time than defenseman Duane Rupp. Ironically, the fans’ dissatisfaction stemmed from a similar cause. Like Stackhouse, Rupp was a big player for his day (6’1” 195) who didn’t fit the mold of a stay-at-home bruiser. A product of the “Original Six” era, Rupp became New York Rangers property after winning the Memorial Cup as a member of the Flin Flon Bombers. Known for his huge hands—and slowness afoot—the MacNutt, Saskatchewan native focused on his defensive chores at first. However, as his confidence grew Duane displayed a genuine flair for offense, tallying 117 points over a three-year span with the Rochester Americans while earning All-Star honors. (...) Read the rest of Penguins History: Duane Rupp © Rick Buker for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| No comments \| Penguins Roll (to) Lucky Seven Against Blues Rick Buker — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:38:05 PST Hockey games can be an awful lot like shooting craps, especially when they go into overtime or a shootout. Games are won and lost on a single shot or a fortunate bounce of the puck, much like a lucky roll of the dice. That’s why it’s nice to have a goalie like Marc-Andre Fleury guarding the pipes. On Tuesday night in St. Louis, “Flower” took the iffy out of overtime with a bushel full of stunning saves to pace the streaking Penguins to a 3-2 shootout win over the Blues. (...) Read the rest of Penguins Roll (to) Lucky Seven Against Blues © Rick Buker for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| No comments \| Video: Sobotka Sucker Punches Sullivan (Blues & Penguins) PenguinPoop.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:33:04 PST Sobotka Sucker Punches Sullivan (Blues & Penguins) © PenguinPoop.com for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| 2 comments \| Lucky Evgeni Malkin, lucky Pittsburgh Penguins Ginger — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:31:36 PST Can he get any better? Traditionally Evgeni Malkin is at his best when his parents arrive and he has Mama Malkin’s borscht. Rumor has it they are planning on coming soon – so fair warning to the rest of the NHL. As of Sunday’s afternoon game, Malkin is the point leader with 58 points despite missing seven games. He has 8 game winning goals on his way to beat Jagr’s team record of 12. And asked about all these highlight reel goals/assists he says he’s just lucky! (...) Read the rest of Lucky Evgeni Malkin, lucky Pittsburgh Penguins © jaxon66 for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| 3 comments \| Penguins Malkin-ize Capitals in OT Rick Buker — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:38:18 PST Ever since they were drafted No. 1 and No. 2 overall in 2004, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin have provided an intriguing contrast in styles—both on and off the ice. While the brash and colorful Ovechkin has grabbed the headlines and endorsement deals, Malkin has quietly gone about his business with a determined excellence. On Sunday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Center, “Geno” snatched the spotlight from his countryman. Capping a typically brilliant display by the Russian rivals (each collected a goal and two assists) Malkin trumped Ovechkin with a game-winning goal in overtime to lead the white-hot Penguins to a 4-3 victory over Washington. (...) Read the rest of Penguins Malkin-ize Capitals in OT © Rick Buker for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| 3 comments \| Video: Alexander Ovechkin Cheap Headshot of Penguins Zbynek Michalek PenguinPoop.com — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:46:24 PST Washington Capital’s Alexander Ovechkin leaves feet and targets Pittsburgh Penguins Zbynek Michalek’s head during afternoon game on January 22, 2012. Will the NHL take action? © PenguinPoop.com for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| 2 comments \| Alexander Ovechkin Stole James Neal’s All-Star Spot Phil Krundle — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:17:52 PST The number one goal scoring left winger in the NHL, James Neal is currently without a spot on the NHL All-Star Game roster and barring injury to a player currently on the roster he’ll be sitting at home watching the game on TV. The NHL invites 24 total players who play offense onto their All-Star squad. Three of which are voted in by the NHL fans. Three players from Ottawa, the home of the All-Star game, were voted in by the fans. We should all be aware of how the voting works here in Pittsburgh. If you are not, reference how Kristopher Allen Letang landed an All-Star spot last year. Who doesn’t respect a good grass roots voting campaign especially in an election year. The other 21 players are voted in by what is called the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department. Picking these players would be a seemingly easy task if it wasn’t for the fact that you want to include one player from every team. That starts to complicate things a tiny bit, but the NHL created the “Rookie” All-Star game to help alleviate that problem. For reasons unknown Alexander Ovechkin is on the All-Star team. Ranked 43rd overall in the NHL in scoring you would think maybe he made it because of the(...) Read the rest of Alexander Ovechkin Stole James Neal’s All-Star Spot © Phil Krundle for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| 24 comments \| Jeffrey and Malkin Shine: Penguins Beat Habs in a Thriller Rick Buker — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:50:07 PST In the midst of a roller-coaster season filled with desperate lows and equally dizzying heights, one thing about the Pittsburgh Penguins is certain. Win, lose or draw, the boys from the ‘Burgh give the fans their money’s worth. Take Friday night’s contest with the Montreal Canadiens for example. After spotting the visitors a 4-2 lead through 31 minutes of play, the Pens came roaring back with guns ablaze to snatch a thrilling 5-4 shootout victory. Fresh off a huge victory over the Rangers the night before, the home team got off to a rocky start. Just 34 seconds after the opening draw Lars Eller parlayed a carom off of Deryk Engelland’s skate into a 1-0 lead for Montreal. Moments later the game took an emotional turn when Chris Kunitz fought Max Pacioretty, who sent Kris Letang to the IR with a brutal head-high hit back on November 26. (...) Read the rest of Jeffrey and Malkin Shine: Penguins Beat Habs in a Thriller © Rick Buker for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| No comments \| Penguins Topple Mighty Rangers 4-1 Rick Buker — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:36:49 PST It’s hard to believe that scarcely seven days ago observers (like me) were ready to shovel dirt on the Penguins following their sixth-straight loss. What a difference a week makes. In arguably their finest effort of the season, the piping-hot Pens rode the stellar goaltending of Marc-Andre Fleury and another big-time performance by Evgeni Malkin to a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Determined to make a statement against the front-running Rangers, the visitors bolted from the starting gate like a pack of Kentucky Derby thoroughbreds. Just past the three-minute mark Paul Martin sailed down the slot and banged the puck off Henrik Lundqvist’s pads. Chris Kunitz pounced on the rebound and blew it past “King Henrik” for his first goal in eight games. (...) Read the rest of Penguins Topple Mighty Rangers 4-1 © Rick Buker for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| 5 comments \| Penguins Edge ‘Canes 2-1 in Shootout Rick Buker — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:22:25 PST The Penguins continued to distance themselves from an ugly six-game slide with a crisp 2-1 shootout win over Carolina at CONSOL Energy Center on Tuesday night. The victory—the club’s third in a row—vaulted the black and gold past idle Florida and into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Although the Hurricanes entered the contest with the sixth-fewest points in the league, they hardly were an easy mark. The visitors pounced on the Penguins early, thanks to some fierce forechecking by the Jeff Skinner line. Jussi Jokinen outworked Steve Sullivan in the left-wing corner and dished a pretty cross-ice pass to Jamie McBain skating in from the right point. The young ‘Canes defender made no mistake and drilled the puck past Marc-Andre Fleury for his fourth goal of the season. (...) Read the rest of Penguins Edge ‘Canes 2-1 in Shootout © Rick Buker for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| No comments \| Penguins History: Keith McCreary Rick Buker — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:23:09 PST One of the earliest Penguins heroes, Vernon “Keith” McCreary typified the teams of the late 1960s and early 70s. While hardly a star, he was a diligent two-way player who always gave his best effort. As a youngster growing up on the shores of Lake Bernard in central Ontario, McCreary dreamed of one day playing in the NHL like his older brother, Bill. While skating for his hometown Junior B team—the Sundridge Beavers—Keith drew the attention of the fabled Montreal Canadiens, who signed him to a pro contract. McCreary quickly established himself as a player of promise, twice earning All-Star honors as a member of the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens of the EPHL. He got his first taste of big-league action when Montreal called him up for a nine-game cameo in 1964-65. (...) Read the rest of Penguins History: Keith McCreary © Rick Buker for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| No comments \| Video: Vincent Lecavalier Embarrasses Self Sucker Punches Malkin Phil Krundle — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:49:24 PST Vincent Lecavalier did the most unmanly thing that I’ve seen on ice since Ned Braden did the striptease at center ice. Lecavalier sucker punches Malkin not once but twice. © Phil Krundle for Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog, 2012. \| 6 comments \|

PenguinPoop - Pittsburgh Penguins Blog

Toronto’s MacArthur Parks Penguins 1-0

Penguins Burn Leafs 5-4 in Shootout

Pittsburgh Penguins 2012 Deadline Trade Rumors

Penguins All-Star Memories

Video: Crews Start Demolition of Civic Arena Roof

Ex-Penguins Update: 2012 All-Star Break

Penguins History: Duane Rupp

Penguins Roll (to) Lucky Seven Against Blues

Video: Sobotka Sucker Punches Sullivan (Blues & Penguins)

Lucky Evgeni Malkin, lucky Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Malkin-ize Capitals in OT

Video: Alexander Ovechkin Cheap Headshot of Penguins Zbynek Michalek

Alexander Ovechkin Stole James Neal’s All-Star Spot

Jeffrey and Malkin Shine: Penguins Beat Habs in a Thriller

Penguins Topple Mighty Rangers 4-1

Penguins Edge ‘Canes 2-1 in Shootout

Penguins History: Keith McCreary

Video: Vincent Lecavalier Embarrasses Self Sucker Punches Malkin