Pittsburgh Penguins

Dupuis expects to return in two weeks

33

by • Coverage •

JOSH
The Penguins could use some good news and received some on Sunday.

Pascal Dupuis, out for the past couple of weeks with a lower-body injury, skated in Sunday’s practice at Consol Energy Center and pronounced himself on schedule for a return to the lineup by the end of the month.

“It felt good,” Dupuis told reporters. “A good step in the right direction.”

READ MORE / COMMENT

Evgeni Malkin celebrates his first-period goal with Brian Dumoulin at Consol Energy Center Saturday night. — GETTY

Evgeni Malkin celebrates his first-period goal with Brian Dumoulin at Consol Energy Center Saturday night. — GETTY

Inspired Malkin wills Penguins past Leafs

114

by • Coverage •

JOSH
For reasons that he’s never been able to articulate, Evgeni Malkin is always at his best when Sidney Crosby isn’t around.

The same reality apparently applies when Crosby isn’t playing like Crosby.

With much of the hockey world focusing on Crosby’s struggles and Phil Kessel’s first game against the team that traded him, it was Malkin who stole the show and who is keeping the Penguins afloat. They don’t look anything like the offensive juggernaut they were supposed to become, but at least Malkin looks like Malkin:

photo GenoGoal_zps5tzcjsju.gif

The Penguins beat the Maple Leafs, 2-1, Saturday at Consol Energy Center, and they have Malkin to thank for that.

“He was awesome,” Olli Maatta said.

READ MORE / COMMENT

Final: Penguins 2, Maple Leafs 1

363

by • Game previews •

JOSH
Looking ahead to faceoff  …

Game: Penguins (1-3-0) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (1-2-1), 7:05 p.m., Consol Energy Center

TV, radio: Root Sports, 105.9 The X

Online: GameCenter | Multimedia | Media notes

READ MORE / COMMENT

Morning skate report: Scuderi rejoins lineup

170

by • Coverage •

JOSH
The Penguins played their best game of the season against the Senators on Thursday. In something of a rarity for Mike Johnston following a win, the coach is going with a different lineup.

Rob Scuderi will return to the lineup, replacing Adam Clendening on the blue line. Clendening wasn’t perfect by any stretch – he took two penalties and was guilty of a bad third-period turnover – but is considerably more gifted with the puck than Scuderi.

Here’s Johnston’s explanation for tonight’s lineup:

READ MORE / COMMENT

Podcast: DK on ESPN Pittsburgh with Todd

0

by • Podcasts • ,

DEJAN
Here’s the podcast of my weekly appearance on ESPN Pittsburgh with David Todd, this edition covering Penguins and Steelers:

READ MORE / COMMENT

Live Qs at 5: Go ahead, ask (almost) anything

92

by • Live Qs at 5 • , ,

DEJAN
Welcome to another Live Qs at 5, one that will be conducted entirely in the comments.

LiveQsAt5_10-5-2
Here’s how it works: Enter one question below, as always. I’ll go through and answer as many as possible. When it’s done, all that will be left are the questions that were used so it’s easier for readers to go through it.

READ MORE / COMMENT

Practice report: Bennett to injured reserve

47

by • Coverage •

JOSH
The Penguins have known something was wrong with Beau Bennett for a few days now.

But forget about getting any specifics at this time. Bennett was apparently injured at some point during the preseason or regular season, and was examined in between home games against the Canadiens and Senators.

He wasn’t permitted to play against the Senators, didn’t practice on Friday and is unlikely to play on Saturday against the Maple Leafs.

Bennett is currently on injured reserve.

READ MORE / COMMENT

Daniel Sprong beats the Senators' Craig Anderson for his first NHL goal Thursday night at Consol. -- GETTY

Daniel Sprong beats the Senators' Craig Anderson for his first NHL goal Thursday night at Consol. -- GETTY

Column: One more smart decision to make

182

by • Columns •

DEJAN
Mike Johnston isn’t dumb.

Oh, he’ll do occasionally dumb things, as do we all. But he’s also demonstrated in his still-short tenure with the Penguins that he won’t stay stupidly stubborn.

Take a look for yourself …

photo Spronggoal_zps64azwcei.gif

That’s Daniel Sprong blistering home his first NHL goal, one which broke the backs of the Senators in the second period of what wound up a 2-0 woefully overdue win Thursday night at Consol Energy Center.

A beauty, too, huh?

If you were among the 18,479 that marked the 379th consecutive sellout crowd, you probably won’t forget it anytime soon.

Here’s betting the guy behind the bench won’t, either.

“Daniel looked strong,” Johnston was saying afterward. “Very strong.”

READ MORE / COMMENT

Keith Butler is in his first year as the Steelers' defensive coordinator. -- GETTY

Keith Butler is in his first year as the Steelers' defensive coordinator. -- GETTY

Friday Insider: Steelers loud, proud of Butler

60

by • Friday Insider • , ,

DEJAN
It’s gone from a whisper to a roar.

Not so long ago, it was completely uncool inside the Steelers’ locker room to diminish in any way anything related to Dick LeBeau. He was the living legend, the architect of two Super Bowl defenses and the zone blitz, and he was so beloved that the mere mention of his name once caused James Harrison to break up on national TV.

Turner'sWell, here’s what’s up these days: The Steelers’ defense now ranks seventh in the NFL in points allowed per game at 19.0, way up from 18th and 23.0 last season. It now ranks fourth with 16 sacks, way up from 26th and a total of 33 last season. It’s hitting harder. It’s hurrying the quarterback more. It’s getting hands on the football.

It’s getting actual interceptions and actual returns, for crying out loud …

photo pick6_2_zpsdksfjewf.gif

And it’s funny how no one really seems inclined to keep quiet about it anymore.

“It’s night and day,” Mike Mitchell was telling me Thursday at the team’s South Side HQ. “There’s so much more cohesiveness, so much more awareness of what’s happening around us and why … I can’t even put that into words.”

READ MORE / COMMENT

Final: Penguins 2, Senators 0

354

by • Game previews •

DEJAN JOSH
Looking ahead to faceoff  …

Game: Penguins (0-3) vs. Ottawa Senators (3-1), 7:08 p.m., Consol Energy Center

TV, radio: Root Sports, 105.9 The X

Online: GameCenter | Multimedia | Media notes

READ MORE / COMMENT

Morning skate report: Bennett hurt again

88

by • Coverage •

JOSH
When it rains, it pours.

Beau Bennett, arguably the Penguins’ best player through three games, won’t play against the Senators tonight. Mike Johnston announced that Bennett is out, but wouldn’t reveal anything more specific. Bennett was terrific against the Canadiens on Tuesday, scoring his first goal of the season. Johnston said following the game that he likely was the Penguins’ best player.

So, what’s wrong with Bennett and when did the injury occur?

It’s impossible to say right now. However, I do recall a play from the opener in Dallas. Bennett blocked a shot and went straight to the bench. He didn’t want medical attention, possibly because he’s a hockey player, or perhaps because he’s very much aware of his reputation for being injury-prone and he’s pretty sensitive to it.

“Beau’s injured,” Johnston said. “We’ll start to get some news on how long the injury will be.”

READ MORE / COMMENT

USA Hockey impressed with Pittsburgh’s bid

16

by • Coverage •

JOSH
The Penguins have made their pitch. Now, they wait.

Members of USA Hockey have been in Pittsburgh during the past few days while they consider which city will host the 2018 World Junior Championship.

The Penguins have desired hosting the annual, two-week event for many years.

READ MORE / COMMENT

1 2 3 4 5 >»