Stanley Cup Preview: Who has the better forwards? The Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Jose Sharks are going to battle for the Stanley Cup. Who are they? How did they get here? PITTSBURGH PENGUINS Early in the year the Penguins tried to load up their superstars on two lines in hopes that they would produce mega totals together. That didn’t work, and instead putting Phil Kessel on the team’s … [Read more...]

Stanley Cup Final Preview: Stunning Numbers for Penguins, Sharks Stunning Numbers is an occasional look at stats and figures from around the NHL   The Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Jose Sharks are going to battle for the Stanley Cup. Who are they? How did they get here? A look at some of the numbers behind the conference champs” 3,160 The combined total of regular season, playoff, Olympic … [Read more...]

Stanley Cup Final Preview: Who are Conn Smythe favorites? (Video) The Stanley Cup Final has arrived, as the Pittsburgh Penguins will face the San Jose Sharks for the big silver chalice.  Both team have had stellar performances from individual players to help them reach the final round. But which ones have really stood out? Which players have the accomplishments, the narrative and the … [Read more...]

Penguins beat Lightning in Game 7 After a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Pittsburgh Penguins are heading back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning it all in 2009. The Penguins also earned their first Game 7 win on home ice since 1995 Thursday night, which was mostly a dominant effort from the home team. Not even the … [Read more...]

Eulogy: Remembering the 2015-16 Tampa Bay Lightning (Ed. Note: As the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, we're bound to lose some friends along the journey. We've asked for these losers, gone but not forgotten, to be eulogized by the people who knew the teams best: The bloggers and fans who hated them the most. Here is 2014-15 Tampa Bay Lightning Eulogy writer J.J. From Kansas of Winging It In … [Read more...]

Czech Republic names Jagr-less final World Cup of Hockey roster Jaromir Jagr will not be playing the Czech’s at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey so he can rest up for the Florida Panthers’ season. Without the 44-year-old legend, they'll have to make do with a mostly NHL roster in a tough Group A with Canada, USA, and Team Europe. Here’s who the Czechs will be bringing to Toronto in September: … [Read more...]

Laine, Haula added to Finland's final World Cup roster Team Finland announced their final roster decisions for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey tournament. High-end prospect Patrik Laine stood out amongst Finland’s picks. He is considered one of the top players available in the 2016 NHL Draft and a potential sleeper choice for the No. 1 overall pick. Interestingly the team brain trust led by … [Read more...]

Why Sidney Crosby touched Prince of Wales Trophy despite jinx PITTSBURGH – You don’t touch the trophy.  The San Jose Sharks didn’t, avoiding the Clarence Campbell Bowl like it was radioactive after winning the Western Conference title on Wednesday night. But after the Pittsburgh Penguins outlasted the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final 24 hours later, there was … [Read more...]

Lightning's Stamkos makes surprise return for Game 7 Steven Stamkos will be in the lineup for the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. USATSI When the Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, they are going to be getting quite a lift to their lineup when Steven Stamkos returns and makes his 2016 playoff … [Read more...]

Penguins Game 7 newbies try to keep nerves in check PITTSBURGH – Bryan Rust wouldn’t necessarily call it a pregame nap. Not when he expected to spend the majority of it staring at the ceiling of his room, nervous anticipation for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final consuming him.  This is the first Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 7 for several Penguins players; some of whom are youngsters … [Read more...]