Pittsburgh Penguins

By Greg Wyshynski • Lil' Herb Brooks update. [Sportress] • Ottawa Senators winger Alexei Kovalev will play against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight before "heading to Russia on Friday because of the death of his wife's mother." [TSN] • Should the Los Angeles Kings be concerned with Jonathan Quick? [BoC]

By Greg Wyshynski • We'll have more about this later, but the New York Islanders buzz is getting pretty loud. [Hockey Independent] • From Leahy, a "Mario Lemieux autographed Erie Otters/Lemieux Foundation jersey - Pittsburgh Penguins" on auction from the NHL.

By Greg Wyshynski • All three players issue varying forms of "hey, what contract?" when asked about reports that the Chicago Blackhawks are about to sign all three pending free agents. [Sun Times] Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Stanley Cup of Chowder on the Blackhawks contracts, via Twitter --

By Greg Wyshynski • The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) together raised more than $650,000 in support of Hockey Fights Cancer and other cancer-related organizations during October's Awareness Month. [NHL]

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. EST. A win in Philly gives the Devils a 10-0-0 start on the road, tying a Buffalo Sabres' mark from 2006. Ah, the catch: Martin Brodeur(notes) has lost five of six starts against the Bullies and his last three at Wachovia Center. Should be...

By Greg Wyshynski • Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg(notes), Atlanta Thrashers left wing Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller(notes) have been named the NHL 'Three Stars' for the week ending Nov. 15. [NHL]

By Sean Leahy Evgeni Malkin(notes) returns tonight for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they lose Chris Kunitz(notes) for two weeks. [Tribune-Review] Superstitions on the Chicago Blackhawks include: boxing the team trainer, carrying a tennis ball, and a "4:30 chew".  [ESPN Chicago]

By Greg Wyshynski • Japers' Michael Nylander(notes) timeline shows two things: That this story has dragged on for what feels like a century and that the Washington Capitals will never sign another free agent to a contract like this again on George McPhee's watch. [Japers Rink]

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators,  Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers 7 p.m. EST. (Ed. Note: 24-hour brain fart that this game was in Ottawa. We are teh dumb.) Ray Emery's(notes) return to the scene of the crimes the media in Ottawa whispered about but never actually report...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators,  Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers 7 p.m. EST. (Ed. Note: 24-hour brain fart that this game was in Ottawa. We are teh dumb.) Ray Emery's(notes) return to the scene of the crimes the media in Ottawa whispered about but never actually report...

By Greg Wyshynski • Darcy Tucker(notes) is due back for the Colorado Avalanche against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. [CBC Sports] • The Detroit Red Wings add a Spartan, claim Drew Miller(notes) off of waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. [Lightning Strikes]

By Greg Wyshynski • On Veterans Day, the Chicago Blackhawks join the ranks of NHL teams wearing special camouflage jerseys during warm-ups in order to later auction them off. Exempt from wearing camouflage: Tomas Kopecky(notes), who's already been invisible all season. [Blackhawks, via UniWatch]

By Greg Wyshynski • Josh Sacco, a.k.a. Lil' Herb Brooks, will do the "Let's Play Hockey" intro at the Minnesota Wild's game against the New York Islanders on Nov. 20. Better yet: He's going to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics. That. Is. Awesome. [Tennessean]

By Greg Wyshynski • Josh Sacco, a.k.a. Lil' Herb Brooks, will do the "Let's Play Hockey" intro at the Minnesota Wild's game against the New York Islanders on Nov. 20. Better yet: He's going to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics. That. Is. Awesome. [Tennessean]

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. EST. Former Mighty Duck of Anaheim Dan Bylsma and former Anaheim Duck Chris Kunitz(notes) go back to Cali as Stanley Cup champions. Good news for Anaheim? Pittsburgh is 1-11-3 with a tie since Jan. 16, 1999 in the Golden State, via the AP. Th...

By Greg Wyshynski • Beginning life without Paul Martin(notes) for a bit, the New Jersey Devils will have beat-up Mike Mottau(notes) and Colin White(notes) in their lineup against the Buffalo Sabres. [Fire & Ice] • The Gallofs bring their Rangers/Islanders sibling rivalry to Hockey Independent. Alw...

By Greg Wyshynski • Beginning life without Paul Martin(notes) for a bit, the New Jersey Devils will have beat-up Mike Mottau(notes) and Colin White(notes) in their lineup against the Buffalo Sabres. [Fire & Ice] • The Gallofs bring their Rangers/Islanders sibling rivalry to Hockey Independent. Alw...

By Sean Leahy Preview: Washington Capitals (5-2-2) at New York Islanders (1-4-3), 7 p.m. EST. Preview: Boston Bruins (4-4-1) at Ottawa Senators (5-2-1), 7 p.m. EST. No Jonathan Toews(notes) and Brent Seabrook(notes) for the Chicago Blackhawks tonight as they host Nashville. [Chicago Tribune]

By Sean Leahy Preview: Washington Capitals (5-2-2) at New York Islanders (1-4-3), 7 p.m. EST. Preview: Boston Bruins (4-4-1) at Ottawa Senators (5-2-1), 7 p.m. EST. No Jonathan Toews(notes) and Brent Seabrook(notes) for the Chicago Blackhawks tonight as they host Nashville. [Chicago Tribune]

By Greg Wyshynski • Ryan Kennedy with a good question at the end of his column: Where are the fan base borders for your NHL team? For example, Jersey goes north to south from Rangers fans to a Rangers/Devils mix to a Flyers/Devils mix to Flyers fans. [THN]

By Greg Wyshynski • Ryan Kennedy with a good question at the end of his column: Where are the fan base borders for your NHL team? For example, Jersey goes north to south from Rangers fans to a Rangers/Devils mix to a Flyers/Devils mix to Flyers fans. [THN]

By Greg Wyshynski • Washington Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau on Tom Poti(notes) and John Erskine(notes): "One was in denial about having a bad game and one wasn't." No elaboration. [In The Room] • Dave Scatchard(notes) is a Nashville Predator. [On The Forecheck]

By Greg Wyshynski • Is the "Loochomotive" the preferred nomenclature for Milan Lucic(notes) of the Boston Bruins? [Bruins Blog] • Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson(notes) and St. Louis Blues center Keith Tkachuk(notes) have been named the NHL...

By Greg Wyshynski Puck Daddy readers no doubt remember Alyonka Larionov from her instant-classic PensTV cooking segment with Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin(notes), which we called "the first, and unforgettable, marriage between hockey celebrity and food porn." • • •

By Greg Wyshynski 1. Pittsburgh Penguins 2. Boston Bruins 3. Washington Capitals 4. New Jersey Devils 5. Philadelphia Flyers 6. New York Rangers 8. Toronto Maple Leafs 1. Washington Capitals 2. Philadelphia Flyers 3. Boston Bruins 4. Pittsburgh Penguins 5. New York Rangers 6. New Jersey Devils 8. Toronto Maple Leafs

By Dmitry Chesnokov The Pittsburgh Penguins star is preparing to defend the Art Ross Trophy and, more importantly, the Stanley Cup after a postseason that saw him win the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP -- and saw his parents become celebrities in their own right. Are the Steelers tougher than the Penguins?

By Greg Wyshynski • Mike Richards(notes) learned a thing or two about a thing or two last season when it comes to being a mature captain in the National Hockey League. The Philadelphia Flyers continue to really, really impress you the more you look at them. [Philly.com]

By Greg Wyshynski • Mike Richards(notes) learned a thing or two about a thing or two last season when it comes to being a mature captain in the National Hockey League. The Philadelphia Flyers continue to really, really impress you the more you look at them. [Philly.com]

By Greg Wyshynski Spotted another Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey foul. This one is considerably worse than the '84 Crosby jersey that seems to be popular. Someone took at '67 white jersey and had Lemieux put on it. Finally, from Puck Buddy Mike R.: It's Foul ... Jersey Foul.

By Greg Wyshynski • Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi(notes) choose a day at Disneyland for his two-year-old daughter's birthday over meeting President Obama with the Penguins. Rep. Joe Wilson approves. [LA Times] • Chicago Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet(notes) takes Nikolai Khabibulin's(n...

By Greg Wyshynski • Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi(notes) choose a day at Disneyland for his two-year-old daughter's birthday over meeting President Obama with the Penguins. Rep. Joe Wilson approves. [LA Times] • Chicago Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet(notes) takes Nikolai Khabibulin's(n...

By Dmitry Chesnokov President Obama later hinted to Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma that the Chicago Blackhawks better get their act together. "I was complaining about this -- it's been a while since Chicago won anything, Coach. And I'm not happy about that."

By Greg Wyshynski • NHL ratings success stories are found throughout the first round, including the highest numbers for the New York Rangers in 12 years and the Boston Bruins' highest ratings ever on NESN. But in Washington, a ratings ... decline? [Sports Media Watch]

By Greg Wyshynski • Your Norris Trophy Finalists: Mike Green of the Washington Capitals; Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins; and Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings. Green'll win it, but we'll have analysis coming up next. [NHL] • BD Gallof's been doing some great work on the Tavares/New York Islanders d...

By Greg Wyshynski • It's a cavalcade of stars on NHL.com's Celebrity Bloggers site: Thorsten Kaye for the Detroit Red Wings! William Fichtner for the Anaheim Ducks! Syd Butler for the Washington Capitals! Teddy Sears ... uh, also for the Washington Capitals! Jessica Rose ... er, also for the Anaheim Ducks! Wow! [...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. EST; TV: VS). Some perspective on this game, from the AP: "The Sabres have won just two of their last 17 games against the Red Wings, including only once in the past seven games at home since the 1996-97 season." The road to the Eastern Conferen...

By Greg Wyshynski WARNING: I was asked a question about comparing Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and who the better player is. AGAIN: There is a Sidney Crosby question asked, and answered, within the podcast. SERIOUSLY: If you're one those chos...

By Greg Wyshynski One week ago, we posted a Puck Daddy mini-doc called "The Hate and Love of Sidney Crosby" which predictably sparked a number of discussions and debates about the Pittsburgh Penguins star here and around the Web. From Crosby fan Tim Titus: • • • The Hate and Love of Sidney Crosby @ Yahoo! Video

By Greg Wyshynski • An on-site review of Martin Brodeur's historic victory for the New Jersey Devils last night -- including some dummy who wore a Patrick Roy Colorado sweater to the game. [American Hockey Fan] • From Puck Buddy Scott from Venice, it's "If the NHL Playoffs started today on NBC..."

By Greg Wyshynski • Has the Washington Capitals' discouragement of selling tickets to Pittsburgh Penguins fans extended to eBay? [The Confluence] • Broad Street Hockey looks at the standings and comes to a sobering conclusion: The Philadelphia Flyers aren't yet a lock for the Eastern Conference playo...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: FSS, FSD). Dan Ellis gets the audition start against the Wings and Ty Conklin. But the big news is that The Mule is ready to return for Detroit. • Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks continue to make us want to love them, this time w...

By Greg Wyshynski • Deposed Pittsburgh Penguins Coach Michel Therrien says he didn't see his firing coming, that the conversation with GM Ray Shero took about five seconds and that the Penguins will "make the playoffs." At least one of these thoughts seems a tad hyperbolic. [Tribune-Review]

By Greg Wyshynski We'll discuss Therrien's job, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney, Sidney Crosby's wing and plenty of other Pens-related topics in the Puck Daddy hockey rumors live chat today ... along with discussions about the Minnesota Wild, the Ottawa Senators and the usual suspects.

By Greg Wyshynski We'll discuss Therrien's job, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney, Sidney Crosby's wing and plenty of other Pens-related topics in the Puck Daddy hockey rumors live chat today ... along with discussions about the Minnesota Wild, the Ottawa Senators and the usual suspects.

By Greg Wyshynski • Pavel Datsyuk scored a pretty darn sweet shootout goal for the Detroit Red Wings against the Minnesota Wild. Wind-aided, of course. [World of Isaac] • Mike Zigomanis will be placed on injured reserve by the Pittsburgh Penguins. [Penguins]

By Greg Wyshynski • Finally, and via UniWatch, here's a rather cool video about the creation of a hand-painted bubble hockey game featuring the 1974 Broad Street Bullies against Philadelphia Flyers alumni, as well as some other bubble hockey highlights. The time-lapse photography that shows a Team USA p...

By Greg Wyshynski • Finally, and via UniWatch, here's a rather cool video about the creation of a hand-painted bubble hockey game featuring the 1974 Broad Street Bullies against Philadelphia Flyers alumni, as well as some other bubble hockey highlights. The time-lapse photography that shows a Team USA p...

By Greg Wyshynski • What killed the Edmonton Oilers' Kid Line? [CBC Sports] • Lost in all of that Pittsburgh Penguins celebration from earlier in the week: Darren McCarty scored a nice goal for the Detroit Red Wings. Now, when is he going to drop the gloves again? [Snapshots]

• The notion that Marian Hossa (or his agent) would reject an enormous, multi-year contract as an unrestricted free agent to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins for less money is mind-boggling, even if he proclaims his love for the franchise and the fun he had playing with Sidney Crosby....

On Friday and Saturday, Puck Daddy's Sean Leahy and Greg Wyshynski are previewing every facet of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings -- on the ice and off the ice. You can find all of our Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage here.