10 Copyright (c) 2013 Yahoo!, Inc. All rights reserved. en-us 126 15 http://sports.yahoo.com http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/b/ysp_logo_rss.gif Latest news and information about the Pittsburgh Penguins. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/pit http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12im3o606/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-oust-sens-five-reach-072339819--nhl.html PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Boston or the New York Rangers? To be honest, Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson doesn't think it matters who the Pittsburgh Penguins face in the Eastern Conference finals. Sat, 25 May 2013 00:23:39 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,9408e45d-ce32-33ca-a6d7-7b412267cb24-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12hsb8ep3/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-polish-off-senators-042044663--nhl.html PITTSBURGH -- On Friday night in Pittsburgh, the Penguins were looking to not only eliminate the Ottawa Senators but capture their first series victory on Consol Energy Center ice and move on to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2009. Fri, 24 May 2013 21:20:44 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,6a640ca3-6afe-3c8a-8b93-8ec8fc835a1d-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13at31q2a/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-three-stars-james-neal-hat-trick-leads-035025845.html No. 1 Star: James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins It was epic Neal time in Pittsburgh as the winger scored thrice in the Penguins' 6-2 rout of the Senators , leading his club into the third round of the 2013 postseason. Enjoy this clip of all three goals, unless you're a Senators fan, in which case, maybe just skip ahead: No. 2 Star: Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins Letang was all over the ice, setting up the Penguins' second goal from behind the net, scoring the eventual game-winner, and adding another assist on Neal's hat trick goal. With three points on the night, Letang finished the series with 10 points. He's a defenceman. Fri, 24 May 2013 20:50:25 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,49feae30-1d97-3efd-932f-7f528a3f006c-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=129kn06h6/*http%3A//www.csnne.com/blog/bruins-talk/penguins-eliminate-senators-6-2 The Pittsburgh Penguins eliminate the Ottawa Senators, 6-2 and will face the winner of the Bruins-Rangers series in the Eastern Conference Finals. Fri, 24 May 2013 20:40:14 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,8008420d-3499-318e-be6f-271eb708f648-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12cru8tro/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-rip-ottawa-6-2-022901999--nhl.html PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins expected desperation. Fri, 24 May 2013 20:38:51 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,fce9b1fe-73cc-3437-a901-31b8dc35310b-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13ujard8a/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/penguins-blow-senators-again-advance-eastern-conference-finals-025748494.html Canada, you may want to sit down. The Pittsburgh Penguins advanced to the Eastern Conference finals Friday, eliminating the Ottawa Senators -- the last remaining Canadian team -- with a decisive 6-2 victory in Game 5. With that, an American club will win the Stanley Cup for the 19th straight season. Now comes the annual Canadian tradition where the country shifts from counting Canadian teams in contention to Canadian players on American teams. The Senators made a slight improvement in Game 5, holding the Penguins to fewer goals than in their previous game. Unfortunately, it was just one fewer, and that's not nearly enough when they allowed 7 the last time around. This game was a lot like Game 4, come to think of it: All Pittsburgh, and not all that close. Fri, 24 May 2013 19:57:48 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,2ac80cb9-044d-380e-a73b-7e852fda9d5f-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=134ptnvjg/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl-pittsburgh-beat-ottawa-book-eastern-finals-berth-024524606.html May 24 (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Penguins have advanced to the National Hockey League Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2009 after smashing the Ottawa Senators 6-2 in Game Five on Friday, taking the semi-final series 4-1. James Neal notched a hat-trick and added an assist to help clinch a place in the Eastern finals for the top-seeded Penguins for the first time since they last won the Stanley Cup. Brenden Morrow opened the scoring in the seventh minute of the opening period for the Penguins who then scored three goals in the second, which proved the difference. ... Fri, 24 May 2013 19:45:24 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,7e9aeea9-b733-34b8-8171-9c96987e2053-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12anvbnlq/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-6-senators-2-024100493--nhl.html PITTSBURGH -- On Friday night in Pittsburgh, the Penguins were looking to not only eliminate the Ottawa Senators but capture their first series victory on Consol Energy Center ice and move on to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2009. Fri, 24 May 2013 19:41:00 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,b9895de6-2773-3a60-b581-213fd104ef7e-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12e581c27/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/sharks-try-shrug-off-game-234920779--nhl.html SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The San Jose Sharks are glad to be returning home. Fri, 24 May 2013 17:46:07 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,83a6f7f1-da49-3ff5-966b-8a7ad99bc8a5-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13m2eluju/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/penguins-seek-close-senators-game-5-advance-conference-205740786.html Fri, 24 May 2013 13:57:40 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,8bfc196b-08b5-36eb-a525-0f54750f71d1-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=136hq33et/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/don-cherry-backs-alfie-don-t-write-off-194212534.html Fri, 24 May 2013 12:42:12 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,8651fc61-2ddd-3195-8445-36bb64accedb-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13idi1f3r/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-three-stars-howard-quick-toss-shutouts-rangers-065413677.html Tom Cruise watched top gun and legend Anze Kopitar, far and away their best forward, make it rain, man, and help push the Sharks into oblivion as the Kings won this war of the worlds with their eyes wide shut. [ NHL Video ] No. 1 Star: Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings The Red Wings goalie made 28 saves for his second career shutout, as Detroit won Game 4 over the Chicago Blackhawks, 2-0. He was especially good in the third period as the Blackhawks turned on the offense. Detroit leads the series, 3-1. No. 2 Star: Derek Stepan, New York Rangers The Rangers needed someone to make a play. Stepan did, twice. He stripped Zdeno Chara of the puck and scored to tie the Boston Bruins in the third period, 2-2. After Tyler Seguin’s goal gave Boston the lead again, Stepan set up Brian Boyle for another tying goal on the power play, where the Rangers were the worst team left in the postseason. New York won Game 4, 4-3 in overtime, on a Chris Kreider goal. Here’s the Stepan strip-and-score, helping the Rangers stay alive in the postseason. Thu, 23 May 2013 23:54:13 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,4842ef1d-e9e0-3320-9450-ae30d322c59e-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13c0gp6ij/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/stanley-cup-beard-watch-ginger-beard-edition-223237411.html (Ed. Note: We're proud to welcome back two of our favorite bloggers, Chuck and Pants from What's Up, Ya Sieve? , to the Puck Daddy fold as they author our weekly NHL Playoff Beard Watch every Thursday.) By Chuck and Pants from What's Up, Ya Sieve? Never in considering playoff beards or writing this informative and newsworthy weekly feature did we expect to find that so many people share our affinity for ginger beards. You’re all into hockey, that’s enough to make us friends. This common captivation with facial hair takes our relationship to the next level. Since we’ve made ginger beards a thing, it’s time to give them their due. Last week, we mentioned Daniel Alfredsson and Brian Bickell’s impressive contributions. Here are the rest of The Best 2013 Ginger Beards, from rusty to rosy and everything in between. Dougie Hamilton, Boston Bruins - GBR (Ginger Beard Rookie) Sure, Dougie is a rookie, and he looks a bit like Beaker from “The Muppet Show,” but his ginger beard is not to be ignored. The 19-year-old Bruins defenseman comes to his first playoff run with the beginning of a epic, day-glo scruff. Somewhere on a golf course, Claude Giroux is wicked jealous. We’re counting on Dougie to represent the Animal/Elmo beard that few true redheads last long enough in the playoffs to achieve. Should the Bruins make it to the Finals, this beard might require us to invest in new sunglasses. We wouldn’t want to burn out our corneas. P.S. Imagine if he had the beard PLUS this haircut? Just a suggestion, DH. There’s a BeardWatch Award for this. Martin Havlat, San Jose Sharks - AYB (All-Year Beard) Who says that the Irish do ginger best? This Czech winger is not only an originator of the MGB (Mysteriously Ginger Beard), but his copper-colored facial accoutrement has a brogue so thick we have absolutely no idea what it’s saying. This beard has a pint of Guinness and a full Irish Breakfast, complete with blood pudding, before hitting the ice. This beard’s favorite band? U2. This beard’s favorite actor? Liam Neeson. This beard has 11 brothers - Patty, Marky, Nicky, Andy, Danny, Joey, Timmy, Tommy, Matty, Scotty...and Brent. Sure he wears this beard year-round, but Havlat’s been in and out of the lineup with a recurring injury, so we’ll give him a pass. Dan Cleary, Detroit Red Wings - Red Storm Rising Red and orange fall next to each other in the rainbow, and Dan Cleary is sporting every shade in between to demonstrate the true nature of ginger. A little bit orange, a little bit rock and roll, this beard has not backed down in the face of the #1 seed. It’s gunning for an upset in the Western Conference. For once we can see when Pierre wants to stand so close - look at all the pretty colors. James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins - #Gingerbeard Our favorite (and oft-cited) beard, we’ve been referring to Neal simply as #Gingerbeard since the playoffs started. We were hoping that saying it three times in the mirror could make it magically appear on the scoresheet (instead of in the penalty box). Last night, we got our wish. Neal had two goals - and zero penalties. We also uncovered a conspiracy between Neal’s interviews on Root Sports (US) and CBC (Canada). Look at this beard: WHAT?! It’s ginger either way, but Canada’s RGB - I mean the color model, but this could also stand for Ridiculously Ginger Beard - is cranked all the way up. American TV lighting dims the #Gingerbeard while Canada shines it so brightly you could stick a maple leaf on it and wave it with pride. Are our neighbors to the north intentionally making ginger beards appear even more ginger? Canada, you’re doing it right. Matt Greene, Los Angeles Kings - The Once and Future Beard An honorable mention of sorts, Matt Greene returned to the Kings lineup in Game 4 after missing almost a month of play due to injury. He didn’t spend that hiatus cheating on his beard either. Last year, his red-blond beard was a glorious Game of Thrones tribute by the Final. If LA can bounce back against the Sharks, it shouldn’t take Matt too long to return to his ruddy form. Like an iron heating up, the farther the Kings go, the redder this beard gets. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:32:37 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,b65a9f8a-34d1-3df4-bba6-cc16b4fd2163-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12pbh14mg/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-looking-close-senators-game-193518505--nhl.html PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson isn't quite ready for the traditional season-ending handshake. Thu, 23 May 2013 14:43:45 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,afd90500-de06-3544-af6c-cf4916a429b1-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13pbddtft/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/daniel-alfredsson-probably-not-moment-love-honesty-loathe-134721253.html Thu, 23 May 2013 06:47:21 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,531482a9-7d18-3ad0-a5e2-c2f6d833e3c0-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13cre6fch/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/brian-burke-running-team-usa-gm-sochi-report-131556392.html Brian Burke was the architect of the USA Hockey team that rode the hot goaltending of Ryan Miller all the way to overtime of the 2010 gold medal match in the Vancouver Olympics. He was the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs then. Now, he’s out of a GM gig; according to Sportsnet 590 in Toronto, that’s the reason he won’t be back in the same capacity for Team USA in Sochi 2014. As reported on the “Brady and Lang” show by co-host Greg Brady, Burke will not be asked back as the team’s general manager. As Brady tweeted: “Burke was told, as suspected, USA Hockey wants a current NHL GM. [Nashville GM David] Poile a strong candidate. Burke definitely wanted the job - obviously he made a huge commitment to after his son's tragic passing. Might be a mistake by USA Hockey.” Burke’s son Brendan died in a car accident on Feb. 5, 2010; the Winter Olympic hockey tournament in Vancouver began on Feb. 13, 2010. Burke worked through his personal tragedy, which served as an inspiration for the American players. He also made some bold decisions at GM that helped Team USA earn silver: Most notably the addition of Chris Drury to the roster, as the veteran center had become a high-priced punchline for the New York Rangers. Drury was one of the team’s best players in the tournament, and rewrote the legacy of his latter years in the NHL. The notion that a general manager needs to be currently employed in the NHL to take the reins of Team USA seems a bit odd. Thu, 23 May 2013 06:15:56 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,9e855062-3f05-304b-a1bb-1542c0f1e988-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12p2h02ku/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-thrash-senators-brink-east-final-102347548.html (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Penguins came from a goal down to thrash the Ottawa Senators 7-3 on Wednesday and move to the brink of the Eastern Conference finals. James Neal and Jarome Iginla each scored twice, and Kris Letang had four assists, as the Penguins took a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven semi-final series. The Penguins, who finished the regular season as the East's top seed, will have the chance to seal the series in Game Five in Pittsburgh on Friday. ... Thu, 23 May 2013 03:23:47 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,ae919c70-df79-3f16-8e46-b6393b52e20c-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12f735pts/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-rout-senators-7-3-022923117--nhl.html OTTAWA (AP) -- Sidney Crosby was careful not to get too far ahead of himself after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins rout the Ottawa Senators for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Wed, 22 May 2013 21:19:59 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,9688cffb-cd00-3a9c-aef5-0f06792df85d-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13ej6jvkn/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-three-stars-neal-iginla-lead-penguins-game-040135388.html No. 1 Star: James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins As part of their 7-3 win over the Ottawa Senators in Game 4, Neal scored twice, including a power play tally, and assisted on an another as the Penguins took a 3-1 series lead. The goal were Neal's first since Game 4 against the New York Islanders. No. 2 Star: Jarome Iginla, Pittsburgh Penguins Iginla netted a pair, including one of Pittsburgh's two power play goals. He's now put up points in eight of the Penguins' 10 playoff games. No. 3 Star: Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins Letang had a couple of bad turnovers, but did finish with four assists. He now leads all defenseman in scoring with 13 points. Wed, 22 May 2013 21:01:35 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,987a19e0-2551-3804-a5e9-5eb6e2d70c57-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13cd942j1/*http%3A//www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/penguins-rout-senators-take-3-1-series-lead Jarome Iginla and James Neal each scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins routed the Ottawa Senators Wed, 22 May 2013 20:37:21 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,44d99632-6594-3ef3-a693-3a9d23e9d67a-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13o5qjek1/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/paul-maclean-13-second-press-conference-going-pittsburgh-033433987.html There was a lot for Ottawa Senators head coach Paul MacLean to be frustrated with after their Game 4 loss . The first period ended with the Senators ahead 2-1, but in the third the Pittsburgh Penguins offense erupted for four goals en route to a 7-3 win. After the game, there would be no questions for MacLean from the media. He apparently didn't feel the need to add to the story that the gamesheet told: If only he had dropped the mic before he walked off... As Matt Kassian told our own Nick Cotsonika , MacLean knows just how to get through to his players, whether it's slipping in a joke during meetings to lighten the mood or, well, holding 13 second press conferences with the stern look of a drill sergeant. It's worked up to this point. Will it for Game 5? Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy Wed, 22 May 2013 20:34:33 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,20d76555-4c0b-3695-9f9b-cd448d4f8d57-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12fn7t45n/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-explode-third-3-1-033108794--nhl.html OTTAWA -- It seemed only a matter of time before linemates James Neal and Jarome Iginla started putting pucks in the back of the net. Wed, 22 May 2013 20:31:08 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,d454b387-6161-3465-8c49-bc5e22214468-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12tctsgnv/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl-penguins-thrash-senators-brink-east-final-032536142.html May 22 (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Penguins came from a goal down to thrash the Ottawa Senators 7-3 on Wednesday and move to the brink of the Eastern Conference finals. James Neal and Jarome Iginla each scored twice, and Kris Letang had four assists, as the Penguins took a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven semi-final series. The Penguins, who finished the regular season as the East's top seed, will have the chance to seal the series in Game Five in Pittsburgh on Friday. ... Wed, 22 May 2013 20:25:36 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,583513d5-53a5-3d7c-b638-b3b27c7f79b4-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=1339ce3sj/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/penguins-rebound-7-3-win-3-1-series-025324930.html Wed, 22 May 2013 19:53:24 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,ac3ad99b-8d78-39a3-8532-33f2d8c11a40-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13cnpk9fq/*http%3A//www.csnphilly.com/hockey-philadelphia-flyers/nhl-wrap-penguins-rout-senators-take-3-1-lead-series The Pittsburgh Penguins routed the Ottawa Senators 7-3 on Wednesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Wed, 22 May 2013 19:46:10 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,bdd3db33-75d2-369e-b40b-b9b8bf26dccf-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12arjr1ca/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-7-senators-3-022053140--nhl.html OTTAWA -- The Pittsburgh Penguins flipped a switch and dimmed the lights on the Ottawa Senators. Wed, 22 May 2013 19:20:53 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,fa76bc5a-732f-3ac9-af99-bd0b53030611-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=12mqi2i49/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/senators-relish-chance-tie-series-222841900--nhl.html OTTAWA (AP) -- After a win in Game 3, the Ottawa Senators are confident they can tie their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Wed, 22 May 2013 11:47:21 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,e332d032-3f67-3f64-be0a-391de1910f31-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=132799jgs/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/surprising-senators-built-patient-development-181600452--spt.html Ottawa didn't need to bottom-out for years to become a dangerous team - they just shrewdly built up through the draft. Wed, 22 May 2013 11:16:00 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,8a698a50-49e7-3b62-b362-3dcf4d3281a9-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=13m3f9161/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ottawa-senators-penalty-kill-keep-penguins-stars-quiet-181326824.html Wed, 22 May 2013 11:13:26 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,d794da28-5f43-3be5-b4bc-7ffa3b9acb12-l:1 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nhl/SIG=144k0ihdg/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl--fun-and-games--senators-coach-paul-maclean-takes-light-approach-with-young-team-175504835.html Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean flipped the "bug-eyed fat walrus" insult back on Montreal in Round 1, and he's pushing all the right buttons against favored Pittsburgh in Round 2. Wed, 22 May 2013 10:55:03 PDT nhl urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,article,aca2b2a2-b5cf-3feb-8780-db158cf472e5-l:1 Sat, 25 May 2013 00:23:39 PDT