Category: NHL

Penguins voluntarily sideline 9 players as NHL camps open

Penguins voluntarily sideline 9 players as NHL camps open
By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer
The Pittsburgh Penguins have opened training camp after voluntarily sidelining nine players who may have had secondary exposure to a person testing positive for COVID-19. The Penguins did not reveal which players were held out. The players will not be allowed to practice until they are deemed safe following further test results based on NHL protocols. All teams opened camps Monday in preparation for the 24-team playoffs, scheduled to open in two hub cities — Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta — on Aug. 1.

NHL, players’ union announce plan to resume play on Aug. 1

NHL, players’ union announce plan to resume play on Aug. 1
By JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writers
The National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association have reached a tentative agreement to return to play this season and extend their collective bargaining agreement by four years. Training camps would open July 13 and games would resume Aug. 1 if approved by the league’s board of governors and players’ executive committee and full membership. The NHL is going straight to the playoffs with 24 teams resuming play. Those teams will travel to one of two “hub” cities July 26. A person with direct knowledge of the agreements told The Associated Press that the NHL has selected Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, to be the hub cities in hosting the qualifying round and at least first two playoff rounds.

Malkin leads slumping Penguins to 5-2 win over Devils

Malkin leads slumping Penguins to 5-2 win over Devils
By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored two goals and set up another to lead the slumping Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Evan Rodrigues and defensemen Justin Schultz and Kris Letang also scored as the Penguins won for only the third time in 11 games. Matt Murray made 20 saves to help Pittsburgh reach 40 wins for the seventh straight season and 13th time since 2006-07. The only exception was the 48-game lockout-shortened season in 2012-13. Nikita Gusev and Miles Wood scored for New Jersey, which won its previous two games. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 28 shots but the last-place Devils dropped to 6-3-2 in their last 11.

Hurricanes hammer listless Penguins 6-2

Hurricanes hammer listless Penguins 6-2
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Morgan Geekie scored twice and added an assist in his NHL debut and Justin Williams added two third-period goals and the Carolina Hurricanes surged past the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2. Jake Gardiner added a goal and an assist and Jaccob Slavin also scored for the Hurricanes. Patrick Marleau and Evgeni Malkin scored for Pittsburgh and Tristan Jarry finished with 30 saves but the listless Penguins capped a miserable weekend at home by losing for the second time in 24 hours to teams they’re scrapping with for positioning in the crowded Metropolitan Division.

Sharks hand Penguins 6th straight loss, 5-0

Sharks hand Penguins 6th straight loss, 5-0
By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Evander Kane had a goal and an assist, Martin Jones made 30 saves in his 24th career shutout and the San Jose Sharks sent the Pittsburgh Penguins to their first six-game losing streak in eight years with a 5-0 victory. Logan Couture, Joe Thornton, Timo Meier and Joel Kellman also scored to give the Sharks back-to-back wins following a five-game losing streak. The Penguins have been outscored 24-8 during their first six-game skid since the 2011-12 season when Sidney Crosby was sidelined by an injury.

Gibson makes 28 saves as Anaheim defeats Pittsburgh 3-2

Gibson makes 28 saves as Anaheim defeats Pittsburgh 3-2
By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — John Gibson made 28 saves, Brendan Guhle scored the winning goal in the second period and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Danton Heinen and Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Ducks, who have won two straight for the first time in over three weeks. Anaheim was missing its top three defensemen. Jason Zucker scored both of Pittsburgh’s goals. The left wing has 19 goals, with five coming in nine games with Pittsburgh since he was acquired from Minnesota. The Penguins have five straight regulation losses for the first time since the 2011-12 season.