Pens host Lightning.

It was announced yesterday that Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal will be the next player profiled on the all-access series “NHL 36.” Cameras will join Neal this morning and follow him for the next 36 hours as he and the Penguins host afternoon games this weekend against the Tampa Bay Lightning and tomorrow against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
NHL 36: James Neal will air Wednesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. Then, NBC Sports Network will air the Penguins’ home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.



Another busy weeeknd for Pens hockey and today the Pens are taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Consol Energy Center in an afternoon game. The Lightning have been making trades trying to improve their team that is currently out of a playoff spot. However, they are 10-4-2 in their last 16 games. Steven Stamkos has been on a big roll lately and had a 3 point night against the Winnipeg Jets the other night and those 3 points put him in a tie with Evgeni Malkin for the scoring lead in the NHL. Stamkos leads the league in goals with 43 as well. The two players will certainly see a lot of each other today as they will most likely be matched up together for most of the game.
Steve Yzerman has been busy making some trades lately but he also picked a player off waivers on Thursday rather than making another trade. The Lighning claimed former Penguin Tim Wallace off waivers. He should be in the lineup for today’s game. Wallace has played in 31 games this season for the New York Islanders with one assist and six penalty minutes.
The Pens will have to play a strong game defensively and see if they can contain Stamkos' line as they did a few weeks ago. It will be a tough task and the Pens will also need to add some offensive flair to complete a win today. A strong, consistent game from the Pens is what they need and we will see which leading scorer comes out as the winner today.

Pens sign Lovejoy and Wallace.

The Penguins have signed Defenseman Ben Lovejoy to a one year contract and forward Tim Wallace to a two year contract it was announced today. It is believed that Wallace's contract is a 2-way deal.
With the loss of some defensemen from our roster and limited cap space, members who played most of last season with the Baby Pens are going to be battling for spots in the upcoming training camp.


http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=442676

Zigomanis not likely to return.

Many were hoping that Zigomanis could have been resigned and with news coming of the Craig Adams deal yesterday, many people's hopes were dashed. Though, still as of yesterday, there were some encouraging rumors still coming out about the possibility of signing Zigomanis. Now though, it appears by resigning Craig Adams, the Pens have made their choice and have gone with the cheaper option. Therefore, Zigomanis will not be returning to the Pens. The Pens would have liked to sign Zigomanis, but the cap-space is limited for the Pens and that leaves them in tough situations. I understand the money issue, but I would rather have Zigomanis than Adams. Zigomanis was a face-off specialist and when he was injured this past season, that is when the Pens woes began. This will be a loss for the Pens as they still do not have a player that is solid and consistent on fave-offs, but it is a loss we had to overcome this season and did so.

Also, yesterday the Pens made qualifying offers to 3 players: defenseman Ben Lovejoy, forward Tim Wallace and goaltender John Curry.

Satan and Thomas clear waivers.

Forgot to mention that Miroslav Satan and Bill Thomas cleared waivers and were sent down to the Baby Pens as well today. Also, Tim Wallace has been re-assigned to the Baby Pens.
I thought some team may try to grab Satan off waivers, but was not all that surprised that he cleared either. He just did not fill the role that he was brought here to fill. Though he seemed to be playing a little better lately, he still lacks some physical play and grit.

Pens face Devils tonight.

The Pens are in New Jersey tonight to take on the Devils at 7:00. The Pens will try to improve on their power play that has been struggling for most of the games they have played this season.
The Pens won the last meeting against New Jersey 4-1 with the help of Crosby's hat trick and 4 point night. The Pens will have to battle hard again and try to break the Devil's tough style of play.

The Pens recalled Jeff Taffe and Tim Wallace from the Baby Pens yesterday.
http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=397092