Pens chase Shesterkin again, topple Rangers 7-2 for 3-1 lead
Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to become the sixth player in NHL history to reach 200 career playoff points and the Pittsburgh Penguins throttled the New York Rangers 7-2 to take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Hurricanes edge Pens 4-3 to take lead in tight Metropolitan
Jesper Fast scored 9 seconds into the third period to break a tie, Sebastian Aho followed with his 22nd goal of the season and the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on Sunday to move into first place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Latest: Sabres coaches placed in NHL COVID protocol
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Buffalo Sabres interim coach Don Granato and assistant Matt Ellis have been placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The development leaves general manager Kevyn Adams taking over behind the bench for Buffalo’s game at Pittsburgh on Thursday night. This marks the second time the Sabres have been hit by COVID-19 in two months. Buffalo’s season was paused for two weeks in early February after nine players and then-coach Ralph Krueger were placed in the protocol. The university said the team went through seven rounds of testing in the seven days leading up to its departure for Albany on Wednesday.
The Latest: NHL's Bruins resume practice, scheduled to play
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and Washington winger Tom Wilson separately questioned the NHL on a lack of clarity between clean and dirty hits. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Boston Bruins are resuming practice since having two games postponed resulting from five players being placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The team announced it will practice Wednesday night, a day before the Bruins are still scheduled to host the New York Islanders. The total is down from 15 on Tuesday, which was the most since 18 players were in the protocol on Feb. 17. The conference allowed a limited number of fans to attend the Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
NHL announces TV and streaming deal with Disney, ESPN
PITTSBURGH - MAY 04: The NHL logo behind the net during the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers prior to game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 4, 2008 at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Wednesday a new TV and streaming deal with the Walt Disney Co. and ESPN. The NHL said the deal includes:Exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final on ABC in four of the seven years of the agreement, with the ability to simulcast/megacast on ESPN+ and additional ESPN networksThe return of live NHL action to ESPN networks with 25 exclusive national regular-season games on ABC or ESPN75 national regular-season games per season produced by ESPN that will stream exclusively on both ESPN+ and HuluHalf of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on ABC and ESPN each season; and coverage annually of NHL’s Face-off (opening night games)The NHL All-Star Game and Skills Challenge, plus other NHL special events each season. The NHL’s out-of-market streaming package will now be available for fans to stream only as part of an ESPN+ subscription.
Kapanen scores twice; Pens welcome back fans with 5-2 win
Kapanen scored two goals and the Penguins defeated the Flyers 5-2 on Tuesday night. Penguins’ players raised their sticks and saluted the fans in attendance following the win. Following a scoreless first period, Farabee and Kapanen scored 1:07 apart to open the second period. The Flyers will welcome fans back to the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday against Washington. The Penguins scored three goals and outshot the Flyers 13-3 to start the second period.
Penguins star Crosby placed on COVID-19 list
New York Islanders center Anders Lee (27) falls to the ice after colliding with Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby will miss Tuesday night’s game against Philadelphia after being placed on the COVID-19 protocol list. The Penguins did not hold a morning skate ahead of the game, in line with the league’s COVID-19 guidelines. The news comes a day after the NHL had a season-low four players in the COVID-19 protocol. Crosby leads the Penguins with 18 points and is tied for the team lead with seven goals. Tuesday night’s game will be the first game with fans in attendance at PPG Paints Arena since last March.
The Latest: NBA's Hornets ready to welcome fans again
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, right, passes the ball over Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, second from right, as Hornets forward P.J. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Charlotte Hornets are getting set to welcome fans for home games. The Hornets’ reopening plan has been approved by state and county authorities and allows the team to host fans at 15% capacity, approximately 3,000 per game. “We are excited about the opportunity to welcome more fans to our outdoor venues,” the university said in a written statement. AdTuesday night’s game will be the first game with fans in attendance at PPG Paints Arena since last March.
Crosby plays 1,000th game as Penguins top Islanders 3-2
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, center, poses with Evgeni Malkin, left, and Kris Letang during a ceremony honoring his 1000th NHL hockey game with the team before an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby had two assists in his 1,000th NHL game, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 3-2 on Saturday night. Crosby became the 25th active skater to play in his 1,000th game. Crosby entered his 1,000th game with the eighth-most points in NHL history through 1,000 games. 87 jersey to recognize their captain before his 1,000th NHL game.
'Insatiable' Crosby hungry as ever as 1,000th game arrives
On the eve of his franchise-record 1000th regular season game, the superstar looks just as dangerous as ever, with no end in sight. Crosby will cross another milestone Saturday night when he becomes the first Penguin to play in 1,000 regular-season games. Ad“He’s not ready to relinquish the best player in the game attribute or that he’s carried here for a decade-plus,” Sullivan said. The idea of Crosby playing with regularity again — let alone getting to 1,000 games — seemed improbable at best. AdStill, despite the constant setbacks, Crosby remained committed to both the short game and the long one.
Penguins warily carry on after GM Rutherford's abrupt exit
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) gets a shot past Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) for an overtime goal in an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. More than 15 years in the NHL has taught the Pittsburgh Penguins longtime captain that it's simply part of the business. Having the architect who put together a roster that led the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cups resign without warning is another. Ad“I think there’s some great people here that will continue to do good work,” Crosby said. Crosby arrived with the top pick in the 2005 draft, and Allvin joined the Penguins as a scout in 2006.
The Latest: Northern Colorado not playing Big Sky football
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The University of Northern Colorado football program won’t participate in the Big Sky Conference and FCS spring championship season. The Big Sky pushed its football schedule from last fall to the spring in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Northern Colorado will develop a spring schedule more in line with traditional spring football practice and explore possible games against regional opponents that reduce risks associated with extended travel. ___North Carolina Central says it will opt out of a spring football season due to concerns about health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eagles are part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the Championship Subdivision, which delayed its football season until spring amid the pandemic.
The Latest: NBA’s Wizards cleared to return to practice
That can mean a positive COVID-19 test, an inconclusive test or potential exposure to someone who tested positive. He was pulled at halftime of Memphis’ game against Brooklyn on Jan. 8 but played the Grizzlies’ next game Jan. 11 against Cleveland. The postponement follows a positive COVID-19 test, subsequent quarantining, and contact tracing within the Boston College men’s program. The conference also said Pittsburgh's men's game at Wake Forest scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 7, will move to this Saturday evening. ___Washington’s NFL team says it has closed its practice facility “for several days” after employees of the organization tested positive for COVID-19.
Carolina-Nashville 1st NHL postponement since season started
The NHL did not specify which team prompted the postponement, though four Hurricanes players were added to the COVID-19 list Tuesday. The NHL already postponed the start of the Dallas Stars' season after six players and two staff members tested positive for the virus. Hurricanes players Warren Foegele, Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin and Teuvo Teravainen joined captain Jordan Staal on the unavailable list because of COVID-19 protocols. The teams aren’t scheduled to play again in Nashville until the end of the season with back-to-back games on May 7-8. Now the Predators, who gave players Tuesday off after the postponement, are scheduled to visit Dallas on Friday night for the Stars' season opener.
Guentzel's winner lifts Penguins by Capitals 4-3 in shootout
DeSmith figured Ovechkin would try to fire one past him rather than deke his way to the net. DeSmith stayed upright as Ovechkin closed in and felt the familiar smack of rubber hitting him and not the net. “I thought our guys played hard in the second and third against a really good team,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. While Sullivan remains confident Jarry will be fine, he turned to DeSmith to help get Pittsburgh going. Washington went 1 for 4 on the power play, a tap-in goal by Backstrom in the second that gave the Capitals a 3-2 lead.
Red Wings scoreless in opener, lose 3-0 to Hurricanes
The Red Wings, who were easily the NHL's worst team last season, played for the first time since they lost to Carolina at home on March 10, 2020. “Once you started playing, you stopped thinking about it as much and it wasn’t quite as weird,” Red Wings center Dylan Larkin said. “It was a good step in the right direction.”ROUGH STARTLarkin made his debut as captain of the Red Wings, and his giveaway helped the Hurricanes score first. Playing the rebuilding Red Wings eight times in 56 games in the pandemic-altered Central Division should help Carolina's chances. The Red Wings’ No.
Farabee has 4-point game, Flyers beat Penguins 6-3
Philadelphia Flyers' James van Riemsdyk celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Philadelphia. Joel Farabee had a goal and three assists, Michael Raffl, James van Riemsdyk and Patrick also scored to lead the Flyers to a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Jankowski, who scored just five goals last season, scored the first one of this season 5:12 into the game. Farabee had assists on van Riemsdyk, Patrick and Hayes’ goals. UP NEXTThe Penguins and Flyers play again Friday in Philly as part of a packed, 56-game schedule necessitated by the pandemic.
NHL sells naming rights to divisions for 2020-21 season
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)The pandemic forced the NHL to realign its divisions for the 2020-21 season, and now those divisions will have sponsors. The special divisions formed just for this COVID-shortened season -- games start Jan. 13 -- will be sponsored by Discover (Central), Honda (West), Mass Mutual (East) and Scotiabank (North). The Detroit Red Wings announced Monday they will feature a United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) logo on player helmets starting this season. Some of these helmet logos are ... better than others:Our friends at @PPG will be the first-ever helmet entitlement partner for the upcoming hockey season. Full details on our new 𝓅𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓉 𝒷𝓊𝒸𝓀ℯ𝓉𝓈: https://t.co/BUUsLJRH2S pic.twitter.com/SOVEdCMW6E — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 4, 2021Will we see more moves to increase revenue?
Longtime Bruins captain Zdeno Chara leaves for Capitals
FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 file photo, Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) pushes Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) from the crease in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Boston. Longtime Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara signed with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, a stunning move less than a week before most NHL teams open training camp. “The Boston Bruins have informed me that they plan to move forward with their many younger and talented players, and I respect their decision,” Chara posted on Instagram. “I'm proud that we were able to return the Stanley Cup to Boston,” Chara said in his post thanking the Bruins and their fans. Instead, Chara and the Capitals will face the Bruins eight times in the realigned East Division after the season opens Jan. 13.
NHL will play 56-game season starting Jan. 13
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)The NHL announced Sunday the league will begin its 2020-21 season on Jan. 13. Teams will play 56 games in this pandemic-shortened season. The expansion draft (Seattle’s first season in the league is 2021-22) will be held July 21. Realigned divisions, playoff seeding alteredThe divisions are realigning due to the cross-border travel ban between Canada and the United States. Follow NHL return to play updates here:
NHL return to play reports: Jan. 13 season start, April 12 trade deadline
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)Reports on the NHL’s return to play in January are rolling out this weekend. Insider Pierre LeBrun reports the season will start Jan. 13 (as expected) with a trade deadline scheduled for April 12. The NHL’s regular season -- expected to be cut short to just 56 games -- will end May 8. Teams will play within their divisions with the top four in each division making the playoffs. Read more: NHL eyes division play only; Sharks to ArizonaFollow NHL return to play updates here:
Several Stanley Cup winners breaking up championship core
FILE - In this June 15, 2015, file photo, Chicago Blackhawks' goalie Corey Crawford kisses the Stanley Cup Trophy after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Chicago. The past few weeks have seen several recent Stanley Cup winners get rid of members of their championship core. Hornqvist was “blindsided” the Pittsburgh Penguins wanted to trade him. The past several weeks have featured several recent Stanley Cup winners breaking up their championship core by saying goodbye to a key player with his name on the trophy. The agitating, go-to-the-net winger helped Pittsburgh win the Cup in 2016 and 2017.
Trade action heats up at NHL draft ahead of free agency
The Penguins got the action started on the second day of the NHL draft by trading goaltender Matt Murray to the Ottawa Senators. “You just know on days like these if you get a phone call from your GM, it’s usually a trade,” Bonino said. The Penguins previously traded winger Patric Hornqvist to Florida, and Chicago traded defenseman Olli Maatta to Los Angeles. Vegas is looking to trade the 35-year-old and even sweeten the deal with a pick but has to deal with an overflowing goalie market. Bonino and new Predators forward Luke Kunin will be swapping jerseys after the trade that continues the Wild's makeover.
Penguins star Crosby misses practice with undisclosed issue
PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby did not practice on Sunday, a day after leaving a team scrimmage with an undisclosed health issue. The team captain and two-time NHL MVP scored during an organized scrimmage on Saturday. Youre trying the wrong guy, Recchi said. Sorry about that.Crosby, playing alongside Jake Guentzel and Conor Sheary, scored a goal for the black team during a 7-0 romp over the white team. The Penguins are about two weeks out from facing Montreal in the qualifying round of the 24-team NHL postseason.