SB Nation Pittsburgh - Jets Vs. Penguins: Pittsburgh Stars Put On A Show In 8-4 Win Over Winnipeghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-03-21T11:31:23-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26526822012-03-21T11:31:23-04:002012-03-21T11:31:23-04:00Newly-Healthy Penguins Getting Recognition As NHL's Top Team
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a href="http://www.pensburgh.com/2012/3/21/2889550/3-21-penguins-power-rankings">Pensburgh has a compilation</a> that shows the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a>' standing in various NHL power rankings. They were a consensus top-five team even before <span>Sidney Crosby's</span> return, but now, they're at or near the top pretty much everywhere. <a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/45550-Power-Rankings-Kings-seek-crown.html">The Hockey News</a>:</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p><span>Evgeni Malkin</span> and <span>Marc-Andre Fleury</span> have been Pens' MVPs this year, but by the time the playoffs are over, Sidney Crosby could be in that role; talk about an embarrassment of riches.</p>↵</blockquote>↵<p>That sounds about right. It's late March now, and with the returns of Crosby and <span>Kris Letang</span>, the Pens are finally firing on all cylinders, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Winnipeg Jets</a> <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/AP-Sidney-Crosby-returns-and-Pittsburgh-Penguins-rip-Winnipeg-Jets-032012">found out</a> is losing to the Pens 8-4 Tuesday night. The Jets' <span>Bryan Little</span> on the Pens' offensive firepower:</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p>''You can't really match up against that,'' Little said. ''They've got so much depth. Every time you're out there you're going to be playing against one of the better players in the league. We had to be tighter defensively and we didn't do that.''</p>↵</blockquote>↵<p>Now that the Penguins have all their key players, they're going to be very, very hard to beat in the playoffs, assuming they can keep everyone healthy.</p>↵<p><i>For more on the Penguins, check out <a href="http://pensburgh.com">PensBurgh</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-penguins/2012/3/21/2889960/penguins-nhl-power-rankings-sidney-crosbyCharlie Wilmoth2012-03-20T22:01:39-04:002012-03-20T22:01:39-04:00Jets Vs. Penguins Recap: Pittsburgh Routs Winnipeg With 8-Goal Game
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><b>More: <a href="http://www.pensburgh.com/2012/3/20/2888890/pittsburgh-penguins-winnipeg-jets-james-neal-hat-trick?utm_source=article&utm_medium=position1&utm_campaign=relatedlinks"><i>James Neal - Hat Trick Hero</i></a></b></p>
<p>After scoring four goals in the second period, the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> would really come back down to earth and score only two in the final period to clinch an 8-4 win over the <a href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Winnipeg Jets</a>. It was a thrilling offensive game, and a great way to bounce back from the last second overtime loss to Philadelphia on Sunday that snapped the Pens' 11-game winning streak.</p>
<p>With a two-goal lead, <span>Evgeni Malkin</span> would get his fifth point of the night on an odd-looking goal. Geno went to play the puck on the board behind the net and then rifled it towards the front of the net as he spun around. It hit the right skate of Jets' goalie <span>Chris Mason</span> and dribbled across the goal line for Malkin's second goal of the evening, his 43rd of the season. The five-point night gives him a commanding lead in the NHL's points race as the season winds down.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh would finish off the scoring with six and a half minutes remaining when <span>Jordan Staal</span> put an easy one-time pass on the stick of <span>Pascal Dupuis</span>, who then put a rocket in the back of the net and extended his points-streak to seven games. The play was set up at the Pens blue line when the defense forced a Winnipeg turnover and Staal took it the other way along the boards.</p>
<p>When it was all over, Malkin finished with two goals and three assists, <span>Sidney Crosby</span> finished with four assists, and <span>James Neal</span> finished with a hat trick and an assist. It was a fun night at Consol Energy Center, where the Pens will look to start a new winning streak on Thursday in their only matchup with the <a href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nashville Predators</a> this season.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this game and all things related to the Penguins please head over to <a href="http://www.pensburgh.com/" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">PensBurgh</a>. For some perspective from the other bench you can check out <a href="http://www.arcticicehockey.com/" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Arctic Ice Hockey</a>, SB Nation's Winnipeg Jets blog. For more on this and every NHL game, please head over to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">SB Nation NHL hub</a> page.</i></span></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/3/20/2888906/jets-vs-penguins-recap-final-score-evgeni-malkin-sidney-crosby-james-nealBrendan Porath2012-03-20T21:05:16-04:002012-03-20T21:05:16-04:00Jets Vs. Penguins Score Update: Second Period Fireworks End With 6-4 Pittsburgh Lead
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After a four-goal second period, the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the Winnipeg Jets 6-4 at the second intermission. This one looked like it would be a track meet from the outset, and the Pens are racking up some impressive stats just 40 minutes into the game. Both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have four-point games and James Neal has a hat trick.</p>
<p>Neal opened the scoring in the period and then, after each team exchanged two goals, finished the period scored with his second career hat trick and first with the Penguins. His third goal was a ripped shot from a bad angle on the left side. that beat Chris Mason, who replaced Ondrej Pavelec in the middle of the second period.</p>
<p>The Penguins got their fourth goal of the night on another beautiful pass by Crosby, who rifled a perfect feed from behind the net to Tyler Kennedy for his second goal of the night. Evgeni Malkin added the fifth goal of the night on a shot from the right circle on a delayed penalty. Crosby controlled the puck in the center of the ice and passed it off to Malkin who faked and then rocketed a low slap shot past Pavelec for his 42nd goal of the season.</p>
<p>Despite the Pittsburgh barrage, the Jets are hanging tough and keeping it from becoming a complete blow out. But if this pace keeps up, it's unlikely they'll be able to out-score the Pens and pull off the upset at Consol Energy Center.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this game and all things related to the Penguins please head over to <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.pensburgh.com/">PensBurgh</a>. For some perspective from the other bench you can check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Arctic Ice Hockey</a>, SB Nation's Winnipeg Jets blog. For more on this and every NHL game, please head over to the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl">SB Nation NHL hub</a> page.</i></span></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/3/20/2888777/jets-vs-penguins-score-update-sidney-crosby-evgeni-malkin-james-nealBrendan Porath2012-03-20T19:51:03-04:002012-03-20T19:51:03-04:00Jets Vs. Penguins Score Update: Pittsburgh and Winnipeg Tied 2-2 After First Period
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Winnipeg Jets</a> are doing their best to ruin <span>Sidney Crosby's</span> first home game since December 5, however the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> have kept pace as the score is tied at 2-2 after one period at CONSOL Energy Center.</p>
<p>The Penguins opened the scoring just two minutes and four second in, when <span>Tyler Kennedy</span> scored his seventh goal of the season with Crosby and <span>Matt Cooke</span> picking up assists.</p>
<p>The Jets would score the next two goals, as <span>Jim Slater</span> scored his 10th goal of the season just 90 second later. Brian Little gave the Jets the lead at the 12:51 mark with a power play goal, his 20th of the season.</p>
<p>The Pens would answer when unbelievable passes from Crosby and <span>Evgeni Malkin</span> set up <span>James Neal's</span> 33rd goal of the season at the 16:44 mark of the period.</p>
<p><i>For more news and analysis on the Penguins, make sure to stop by </i><a href="http://www.pensburgh.com">PensBurgh</a><i>.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/3/20/2888648/jets-vs-penguins-score-update-pittsburgh-and-winnipeg-tied-2-2-afterSteve Uhlmann2012-03-20T10:31:48-04:002012-03-20T10:31:48-04:00Jets Vs. Penguins: Pittsburgh Can Approach Playoff Spot With Win On Tuesday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5RYRr47fhrkpTjkGB87kl3C-VLc=/1x0:999x665/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6027851/20120315_jtl_aw8_748.jpg" />
<figcaption>Presswire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night with the chance to clinch a Playoff spot. </p> <p>The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off their first loss in almost a month against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. They'll have a chance to get back on track when they host the Winnipeg Jets at the CONSOL Energy Center on Tuesday. The game starts at 7 pm and can be found on ROOT Sports.</p>
<p>The Pens <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/PensInsideScoop/status/182119184245850113">can't quite</a> clinch a playoff spot Tuesday with a win over the Jets, thanks to tie-breakers, but they can come close. The Penguins have 94 points so far this season and would be in first place in every Eastern Conference division besides their own, where they trail the Rangers by three points.</p>
<p><i>We'll have plenty more on this game throughout the day here on SB Nation Pittsburgh, so keep it locked to this Story Stream for all the latest news and updates. For more on this game and all things related to the Penguins please head over to <a href="http://www.pensburgh.com/">PensBurgh</a>. For some perspective from the other bench you can check out <a href="http://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Arctic Ice Hockey</a>, SB Nation's Winnipeg Jets blog. For more on this and every NHL game, please head over to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl">SB Nation NHL hub</a> page. </i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/3/20/2887147/jets-vs-penguins-preview-score-recapJordan Ruby