Season ends with 5-1 loss in Game Six (22-Apr-12)
The Penguins lose 5-1 in Game Six and get bounced out of the first round of the playoffs by the Flyers in front of 20,127 at Wells Fargo Center. Philadelphia scored 32 seconds into the game and never looked back. The Penguins' lone goal was scored by Evgeni Malkin on the power play at 8:34 of the second which temporarily cut the lead to 3-1. The Flyers responded with their fourth goal 36 seconds later.
Penguins avoid sweep with 10-3 dismantling of Flyers in Game Four (18-Apr-12)
The Penguins avoid being swept with an emphatic 10-3 win over the Flyers in Game Four in front of 20,172 at Wells Fargo Center. The first period was a bad goaltender clinic on both sides but Marc-Andre Fleury settled down and the Pens reeled off eight straight goals in the game after falling behind 3-2 in the first. Ilya Bryzgalov gave up five goals on 18 shots and was pulled early in the second and replaced by Sergei Bobrovsky who went on to also give up five goals on 18 shots. Jordan Staal had his first career hat. Pittsburgh scored five goals in the second period including three power play goals.
Penguins lose Game Two and Three over the weekend (15-Apr-12)
The Penguins find themselves down three games to one after losing twice over the weekend. On Friday, the Pens blew another early lead and lose 8-5. On Sunday, the Penguins imploded 8-4 in a game which saw one match penalty and three game misconducts. Craig Adams, Arron Asham and James Neal all are in danger of being suspended for Game Four.
Penguins lose Game One 4-3 in overtime (11-Apr-12)
The Penguins blow a three-goal lead and lose 4-3 in overtime to the Flyers in front of 18,565 at CONSOL Energy Center. Pittsburgh had a strong first period and found themselves up 3-0 after one on goals from Sidney Crosby, Tyler Kennedy and Pascal Dupuis. Philadelphia took over from there and scored once in the second (although Daniel Briere was clearly offsides), twice in the third, and got the game-winner from Jakub Voracek 2:23 into overtime.
Opening round playoff schedule released (9-Apr-12)
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 7:30pm: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TV: ROOT, NBC Sports Network, TSN
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30pm: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TV: ROOT, NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, April 15, 2012 3:00pm: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TV: NBC, TSN
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30pm: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TV: ROOT, NBC Sports Network, TSN
* Friday, April 20, 2012 7:30pm: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TV: ROOT, NBC Sports Network, TSN
* Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TBD
* Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD
* If necessary
Penguins split pair of games over the weekend (1-Apr-12)
The Penguins split a pair of games over the weekend. On Friday, the Pens got a four-point (1g, 3a) effort, including his 600th career NHL point, from Sidney Crosby on their way to a 5-3 win over Buffalo which hurt the Sabres' playoff hopes. On Sunday, the Pens blew a 2-0 lead and eventually lost 6-4 to the Flyers in a likely preview of the opening round of the playoffs. After the Penguins had jumped out to a 2-0 lead early, Philadelphia scored the game's next five goals. The game ended with fireworks with several fights and Flyers coach Peter Laviolette and Penguins assistant Tony Granato getting into a verbal altercation while standing on the boards.
Penguins lose 5-3 again to the Islanders (29-Mar-12)
The Penguins lose 5-3 again and get swept in the home-and-home series against the Islanders. New York scored three unanswered goals in a 9:16 span beginning late in the second period. Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin cut the lead to 4-3 but were unable to tie it up and the Isles scored an empty-netter with five seconds to go. Pittsburgh now trails the division-leading Rangers by five points with five games to go. The Pens now hold only a two-point advantage over the Flyers.
Penguins lose 5-3 to Islanders (27-Mar-12)
The Penguins' 10-game home-ice win streaks ends with a 5-3 loss to the Islanders in front of 18,588 at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens trailed 2-0 after the first period and then got goals early in the second from Tyler Kennedy and James Neal to tie it at two. New York responded with three more in the second to put the game away. Neal got his second of the game at 15:42 of the third to give Pittsburgh a brief spark but were unable to get any closer.
Penguins roll over Predators 5-1 (22-Mar-12)
Penguins hot play continues with an impressive 5-1 win over Nashville in front of 18,579 at CONSOL Energy Center. Evgeni Malkin scored his 44th and 45th of the season and Pittsburgh also got goals from Pascal Dupuis, Matt Cooke and Chris Kunitz. James Neal had four assists. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 of 30 in his 40th win of the season. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Pens.
Penguins crush Jets 8-4 (20-Mar-12)
The Penguins get a hat-trick from James Neal in their 8-4 win over the Jets in front of 18,589 at CONSOL Energy Center. Evgeni Malkin had a five-point night (2g, 3a) including his 200th career NHL goal. Sidney Crosby had four assists and now has 21 points in 12 games this season. Brad Thiessen made 26 saves on 30 shots and is 3-0 in his NHL career.