Category: NHL

Thomas Harley and Wyatt Johnston’s 3rd-Period Goals help Stars defeat Penguins 4-1

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jason Robertson’s hard work in the crease gave the star forward his first goal of the season. His diving effort on a loose puck in the offensive zone helped put the game away.

Robertson set up Thomas Harley’s third-period goal and Wyatt Johnston scored later in the period to help the Dallas Stars beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 on Tuesday night.

“He was excellent tonight,” Stars coach Peter DeBoer said. “He’s a game-breaking guy. When he’s feeling it like he was, you can tell that he was in one of those zones where he was going to be a difference-maker.”

Bryan Rust scored the first goal for Pittsburgh, but Dallas had the next four. The Stars haven’t lost in regulation yet this season.

Robertson, who scored 46 goals last season, scored his first on Tuesday, as did Evgenii Dadonov before third-period goals from Harley and Johnston.

“I haven’t gotten many scoring chances lately, so hopefully I can keep that confidence going and get rolling and start to feel it,” Robertson said.

Jake Oettinger stopped 38 shots for the Stars, who won their third straight. Dallas has won four of its first five games this season.

“Once (Robertson) scored, I think everybody kind of took a breath and we just played our game,” DeBoer said.

Penguins defenseman John Ludvig, making his NHL debut, left with an injury at 10:41 of the second period. He was briefly knocked unconscious following a collision at center ice with Stars forward Radek Faksa. Ludvig, who was claimed off waivers from Florida before the season started, lay face down, motionless on the ice for several minutes while trainers and medical staff from both teams attended to him. He was eventually helped to his feet and skated from the ice with assistance from teammates Marcus Pettersson and Noel Acciari.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said that Ludvig was being evaluated.

“It’s a scary moment when you see a player like that,” Sullivan said. “Those are scary to watch. We’re hopeful he’s going to be OK.”

Rust scored his fifth goal in six games for the Penguins, who lost their third straight. Pittsburgh has lost four of its first six games this season. The Penguins’ power play, which is 2-for-16 this season, went 0-for-3 on Tuesday and hasn’t scored in four games.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 30 saves.

“Guys are frustrated because they want to get results,” Sullivan said. “These guys are competitive guys and they care an awful lot. When it doesn’t go the right way, of course frustration sets in.”

Harley put Dallas in front 3-1 at 5:22 of the third period. Nedeljkovic strayed from his crease to poke a loose puck away, but a diving Robertson got to it first and the puck eventually reached Harley, who put it into a partially open net. Johnston capped the scoring at 13:51 following a net-mouth scramble.

CROSBY CHASES HISTORY

Sidney Crosby, who assisted on Rust’s first goal of the game, is now one assist from entering into the top 15 in NHL history in career assists.

Crosby leads all active players with 955 career assists. With one more assist, Crosby will tie former Penguin Mark Recchi. Crosby is 45 assists from becoming the 14th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career assists.

UP NEXT:

Stars: Host Toronto on Thursday.

Penguins: Continue a four-game homestand on Thursday against Colorado.

Connor Bedard Picks Up an Assist in his NHL Debut as the Blackhawks Rally Past Crosby, Penguins 4-2

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Connor Bedard skated into the faceoff circle, saw one of his idols standing across from him and tried to soak in the moment.

That really was Sidney Crosby within arm’s reach. That really was referee Kelly Sutherland welcoming him to the NHL on national television. That really was a sellout crowd pulling cameras out trying to capture the meeting of two generational talents at opposite ends of their careers.

Then the puck dropped, and the instincts that have made the 18-year-old Bedard the NHL’s next big thing kicked in.

Playing with a charismatic fearlessness, Bedard dazzled in Chicago’s 4-2 comeback win over Crosby and the Penguins on Tuesday night.

The top pick in the draft picked up an assist and fired five shots at Tristan Jarry while playing 21:29, hardly looking intimidated by the stage, the stakes or pretty much anything else.

“I think, for me, it’s just trying to get better every shift, every game,” Bedard said. “I created a bit. There’s obviously things I can get better at. But felt pretty good.”

Looked pretty good too. Penguins defenseman Kris Letang gave Bedard a couple of “welcome to the NHL hits,” not in an attempt to send a message but because at times it was the only way to keep up with Bedard.

“He’s so good, so shifty,” Letang said. “He’s got great moves. I had to play him hard. He’s really deceptive. You can’t even look at the puck one second, because he’s so fast.”

Chicago trailed 2-0 when Crosby began his 19th season by scoring his 551st career goal, a shot into an open net off a pass from Jake Guentzel 11:56 into the second period.

The Blackhawks roared back behind a goal from Ryan Donato — with a secondary assist from Bedard — in the second period and Cole Guttman’s goal midway through the third. Jason Dickinson gave Chicago the lead with 4:31 remaining. Nick Foligno’s empty-netter with 1:33 to go sent most of the sellout crowd that came to watch one of the NHL’s brightest stars take on one of its newest home.

“I feel like that was a complete game,” Dickinson said. “We played the full 60. We stuck to our game plan. We played a hard game. It’s nice when you get rewarded.”

Petr Mrazek stopped 38 shots for the Blackhawks.

Crosby and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins, who had their run of 16 consecutive playoff appearances end last spring thanks in part to a late-season pratfall against the Blackhawks. Pittsburgh retooled over the summer, including adding three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson.

Fireworks, however, were hard to come by for the NHL’s oldest team. Jarry made 32 saves but the Penguins let a lead slip away late, a problem that plagued them at times last season.

“First game, I don’t think anybody is firing on all cylinders at this point,” Crosby said. “There are certainly some things we can do better, be more detailed defensively.”

Bedard’s arrival in the NHL had been anticipated for years, much like Crosby’s when the Penguins grabbed him with the top overall selection in 2005, all of 13 days after Bedard was born. His arrival in Chicago has given the beleaguered franchise a much-needed jolt even though there almost certainly will be some growing pains on a team that’s missed the playoffs five of the last six seasons as the dynasty that won three Stanley Cups between 2010-15 faded.

Like Crosby, Bedard seems at ease with the attention that has followed him from childhood prodigy to the NHL. He joked during the morning skate that he slept “like a baby.” He sprinted onto the ice with fellow Blackhawks rookie Kevin Korchinski during warmups, the two teenagers having the rink to themselves momentarily as is tradition for players making their NHL debuts.

Bedard was fidgety during the national anthem, his legs in constant motion, eager to get a moment he’d been dreaming about since he was a phenom growing up in British Columbia, Canada.

While he didn’t win that opening faceoff — he didn’t win many, going just 2 for 13 on draws — once the puck was in motion, Bedard was frequently a blur.

He recorded the first shot of his career just over six minutes in on a one-timer with Chicago on the power play. He kept right on pumping pucks at Jarry, his No. 98 constantly in motion. He was unafraid to fling his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame into tight spaces, be they the front of the net or the corners.

Bedard seemed to surprise Jarry with a shot from the short side early in the second and collected the first point of his career late in the second period when he dropped a backhand pass to Alex Vlasic, who then bulled his way in close for a shot whose rebound ended up on the stick of Donato to bring the Blackhawks within 2-1.

Guttman then tied it just past the midway point of the third period with a laser from the slot and Dickinson put the Blackhawks in front to offer a glimpse of the team Chicago hopes it can become on a regular basis, with Bedard at the center of it all.

“He’s a very mature kid for his age,” Dickinson said. “There’s a ton that’s been put on him. It doesn’t seem to phase him. Doesn’t seem to even hit him.”

UP NEXT

Blackhawks: Travel to Boston on Wednesday.

Penguins: Visit longtime Metropolitan Division rival Washington on Friday.

Swedish Winger Carl Hagelin Retires from the NHL Because of an Eye Injury

(AP) Carl Hagelin has decided to retire from the NHL at age 35, citing an eye injury that has kept him out of game action for nearly a year and a half.

Hagelin has not played since taking an errant stick to his left eye during Washington Capitals practice on March 1, 2022. He underwent surgery, and the team immediately deemed it a serious injury with concern about Hagelin’s quality of life outside hockey.

The smooth-skating Swedish winger also had hip resurfacing surgery this past February. That followed arthroscopic surgery in October, which was an attempt to solve a chronic left hip injury.

Hagelin announced his decision in an Instagram post Wednesday, calling his career an amazing ride that ends here.

“Unfortunately my eye injury is too severe to keep playing the game I love,” he posted. “I want to thank all my amazing teammates, doctors and other staff members that I’ve met and played with throughout the years.”

Hagelin retires having won the Stanley Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins, back to back in 2016 and 2017.

A sixth-round pick of the New York Rangers in 2007, Hagelin impressed them during four years at the University of Michigan to earn a roster spot in the minors. He played only 17 games in the American Hockey League before getting called up to the NHL and lasted there for more than a decade.

Since making his debut in 2011, Hagelin played 854 regular-season and playoff games over 11 seasons with the Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Penguins and Capitals.

Penguins Beat Coyotes 4-1 to end 6-game slide

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby sends Arizona Coyotes center Barrett Hayton (29) to the ice as Penguins defenseman Ty Smith looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Tempe, Ariz., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
By JOHN MARSHALL AP Sports Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Jake Guentzel scored two goals, Casey DeSmith stopped 23 shots and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 to end a six-game losing streak. Pittsburgh fell into an early hole on Barrett Hayton’s first-period goal, but Guentzel scored twice in a little over three minutes in the second. Jason Zucker also scored, Jeff Carter added an empty-net goal and Sidney Crosby had two assists in Pittsburgh’s first win since Dec. 20. Karel Vejmelka had 24 saves for Arizona, which has lost five straight.

 

Kris Letang Scores In 3rd Game Since Stroke, Penguins Win

Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel (59) is congratulated by left wing Brock McGinn (23) after scoring an empty net goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Sunrise, Fla. The Penguins won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
By GEORGE RICHARDS Associated Press
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang scored in his third game back since having a stroke and the Penguins beat the Florida Panthers 4-2 on Thursday night. Letang had the stroke Nov. 28, returned to practice 10 days later and got back in the lineup Saturday against Buffalo. In the second period against Florida, Letang scored a short-handed goal off a breakaway pass from Bryan Rust to tie it at 1. Jake Guentzel scored twice and Evgeni Malkin added a power-play goal for the Penguins. They won for the seventh consecutive time and are 12-1-1 in their past 14 games. Tristan Jarry made 32 saves to win his sixth consecutive start. Ryan Lomberg and Sam Reinhart scored for Florida.

Malkin’s Late Goal Lifts Penguins Past Stars 2-1

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Pierre-Olivier Joseph (73) celebrates with Jeff Carter after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puska
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin pounced on a loose puck and fired it into the net with 34 seconds remaining to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins by the Dallas Stars 2-1. Malkin’s ninth goal of the year came after Bryan Rust’s shot attempt from in close was poke-checked away. While Rust’s momentum carried him into Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, Malkin fired the puck into the open net to push Pittsburgh’s winning streak to six. Pierre-Olivier Joseph scored his first goal of the season for Pittsburgh. Tristan Jarry stopped 26 shots to improve to 9-0-2 in his last 11 starts. Roope Hintz collected his 12th goal of the season for Dallas. Oettinger made 23 saves but had no chance on Malkin’s game-winner.

Penguins Letang Out Indefinitely After 2nd Stroke

FILE – Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kris Letang plays during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Boston. Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is out indefinitely after suffering a stroke. General manager Ron Hextall announced Tuesday, Nov. 29, that the 35-year-old Letang had the stroke Monday. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is out indefinitely after suffering a stroke. General manager Ron Hextall announced Tuesday that the 35-year-old Letang had the stroke Monday. Letang was a last-minute scratch in a 3-2 overtime loss to Carolina with an undisclosed illness. The team said Letang is not experiencing “any lasting effects” and is undergoing testing. This is the second stroke Letang has suffered during his 17-year career. The three-time Stanley Cup champion missed more than two months in 2014 after a stroke, which doctors determined was caused by a small hole in the wall of his heart.

Pesce’s Winner in OT Lifts Hurricanes Past Penguins 3-2

Carolina Hurricanes’ Brett Pesce puts a shot behind Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry for the game-winning goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. The Hurricanes won 3-2 in overtime. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brett Pesce scored at the end of a two-on-none 2:20 into overtime to lift the Carolina Hurricanes past the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. The Penguins forced the extra period on Jake Guentzel’s deflection with 58 seconds to go in regulation. The Hurricanes escaped with the victory on a breakaway that Pesce converted for his second goal of the season. Guentzel and Sidney Crosby scored for Pittsburgh. Tristan Jarry stopped 36 shots but was left all alone on the sequence that ended with Pesce’s winner.

Labatt Blue Releases Limited Edition Pittsburgh Penguins Promo Packs Honoring Mike Lange

(Photos provided with release)

(Buffalo, NY) L­abatt Blue today unveiled its limited-edition Pittsburgh Penguins packaging. These unique can designs feature phrases made popular by famed Penguins announcer Mike Lange.

Hockey enthusiasts and fans of the brand can pick up a 30-pack of 12 oz cans of Pittsburgh Penguins themed Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light or 15-pack of Labatt Blue at major retail locations and convenience stores throughout Pittsburgh. Individual 24 oz cans will be available at convenience stores.

“Penguins hockey means so much to Pittsburgh and Labatt beer drinkers,” said Corey Berger, associate brand manager, Labatt. “Through this program, we connect fans to their favorite team while they’re pre-gaming or cheering from their couch.”

In addition to the cans, a QR code on the outside package directs consumers to a Labatt Team Fan page, where fans can enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to a 2022/2023 Pittsburgh Penguins home game.  Eight winners will be selected randomly.

Over the last few years, Labatt has created custom NHL cans for teams including the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers. “The team designs are unique making these cans collectible,” said Berger.

Penguins C Evgeni Malkin plays in 1,000th NHL game

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
CHICAGO (AP) — Pittsburgh forward Evgeni Malkin has played in his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 11th player to reach the milestone with the Penguins. Malkin made his debut with Pittsburgh on Oct. 18, 2006, scoring in the second period of a 2-1 loss to New Jersey. The center helped the Penguins to Stanley Cup titles in 2009, 2016 and 2017. It looked as if Malkin was going to try free agency for the first time last summer. But he decided to stay in Pittsburgh for a four-year contract worth $6.1 million annually. Now he joins teammate Sidney Crosby as the only players with 1,000 games for the Penguins.