Penguins Nation

With the Olympic hockey tournament in full swing and the resumption of the NHL schedule still two weeks off, it's time to take a look ahead at the next big event on the NHL calendar: the annual trade frenzy. While serving as Team USA's assistant general manager, Ray Shero's top concern at the moment is how his team is doing in Sochi. But fans can rest assured that he and the rest of the Pens management and scouting staff are planning for what will be a feverish week between the end of the Olympics and the March 5 trade deadline. Although this year's deadline probably ...

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been among the NHL's leaders in power-play efficiency over the last three regular seasons. With a 25.4 percent conversion rate, the Penguins have the best power play in the league as players head to Sochi to take part in the Winter Olympics. Pittsburgh clicked about as often during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, scoring 24.7 percent of the time across 48 games, and it had the fifth-best power play in 2011-2012 at 19.7 percent. Despite this clear capability with the extra man, the Penguins have come up short in four consecutive playoff runs. Could sagging power-play numbers be the ...

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been among the NHL's leaders in power-play efficiency over the last three regular seasons. With a 25.4 percent conversion rate, the Penguins have the best power play in the league as players head to Sochi to take part in the Winter Olympics. Pittsburgh clicked about as often during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, scoring 24.7 percent of the time across 48 games, and it had the fifth-best power play in 2011-2012 at 19.7 percent. Despite this clear capability with the extra man, the Penguins have come up short in four consecutive playoff runs. Could sagging power-play numbers be the ...

Although they lost the last game prior to the Olympic break to the New York Rangers 4-3 in a shootout, the Pittsburgh Penguins have performed better than anyone could have expected, and to date, they have had the best regular season in franchise history. Having reached the 40-win plateau in just 57 games, breaking the previous mark of 65 games set by the 1995-96 Pens, this year's team has surged to the front of the pack in the Metropolitan Division and seems primed to claim the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the postseason. However, with injuries having sidelined some of their top ...

Although they lost the last game prior to the Olympic break to the New York Rangers 4-3 in a shootout, the Pittsburgh Penguins have performed better than anyone could have expected, and to date, they have had the best regular season in franchise history. Having reached the 40-win plateau in just 57 games, breaking the previous mark of 65 games set by the 1995-96 Pens, this year's team has surged to the front of the pack in the Metropolitan Division and seems primed to claim the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the postseason. However, with injuries having sidelined some of their top ...

The NHL will take several weeks off starting this weekend due to the Winter Games taking place in Sochi. While most of the best players in the world will be heading to Russia to participate in the Olympics, the freeze in action is an interesting wrinkle in the league's regular season. Teams won't resume play until the end of February, giving players a miniature summer vacation. This could help some squads, as players will have time to heal and get healthy, while it could cause problems for some of the streakier teams in the NHL. The time off will also create a bit ...

The NHL will take several weeks off starting this weekend due to the Winter Games taking place in Sochi. While most of the best players in the world will be heading to Russia to participate in the Olympics, the freeze in action is an interesting wrinkle in the league's regular season. Teams won't resume play until the end of February, giving players a miniature summer vacation. This could help some squads, as players will have time to heal and get healthy, while it could cause problems for some of the streakier teams in the NHL. The time off will also create a bit ...

He had the angle and an open look, but Erik Karlsson could not put the biscuit in the basket Monday night. Not with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. With the game tied at 1-1 in the third period, the Ottawa Senators defenseman flicked what appeared to be a potential game-winner toward the Pittsburgh Penguins net. This sure thing was not to be, however, as Fleury cooked up a bit of glove-side goodness and somehow managed to pluck the speeding puck out of the air. With his body at full extension, Fleury lunged and caught Karlsson’s shot as it zipped toward the upper-right corner.  Video ...

He had the angle and an open look, but Erik Karlsson could not put the biscuit in the basket Monday night. Not with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. With the game tied at 1-1 in the third period, the Ottawa Senators defenseman flicked what appeared to be a potential game-winner toward the Pittsburgh Penguins net. This sure thing was not to be, however, as Fleury cooked up a bit of glove-side goodness and somehow managed to pluck the speeding puck out of the air. With his body at full extension, Fleury lunged and caught Karlsson’s shot as it zipped toward the upper-right corner.  Video ...

Since he became the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager, Ray Shero has had a knack for making headlines at the NHL trade deadline and this year figures to be no different. With the loss of Pascal Dupuis to a knee injury, the questions surrounding Tomas Vokoun and Jeff Zatkoff in net, the need for more grit up front and the spector of free agency for five current Pens, Shero and his staff will have a lot to consider between now and March 5. As reports surface of scouts crossing the country to assess potential trade targets and as the rumor mill starts to crank up, let's look at ...