Penguins lose 5-3 again to the Islanders (29-Mar-2012)
The Penguins lose 5-3 again and get swept in the home-and-home series against the Islanders. New York scored three unanswered goals in a 9:16 span beginning late in the second period. Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin cut the lead to 4-3 but were unable to tie it up and the Isles scored an empty-netter with five seconds to go. Pittsburgh now trails the division-leading Rangers by five points with five games to go. The Pens now hold only a two-point advantage over the Flyers.
Penguins lose 5-3 to Islanders (27-Mar-2012)
The Penguins' 10-game home-ice win streaks ends with a 5-3 loss to the Islanders in front of 18,588 at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens trailed 2-0 after the first period and then got goals early in the second from Tyler Kennedy and James Neal to tie it at two. New York responded with three more in the second to put the game away. Neal got his second of the game at 15:42 of the third to give Pittsburgh a brief spark but were unable to get any closer.
Penguins roll over Predators 5-1 (22-Mar-2012)
Penguins hot play continues with an impressive 5-1 win over Nashville in front of 18,579 at CONSOL Energy Center. Evgeni Malkin scored his 44th and 45th of the season and Pittsburgh also got goals from Pascal Dupuis, Matt Cooke and Chris Kunitz. James Neal had four assists. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 of 30 in his 40th win of the season. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Pens.
Penguins crush Jets 8-4 (20-Mar-2012)
The Penguins get a hat-trick from James Neal in their 8-4 win over the Jets in front of 18,589 at CONSOL Energy Center. Evgeni Malkin had a five-point night (2g, 3a) including his 200th career NHL goal. Sidney Crosby had four assists and now has 21 points in 12 games this season. Brad Thiessen made 26 saves on 30 shots and is 3-0 in his NHL career.
Penguins split pair of games over the weekend (18-Mar-2012)
The Penguins split a pair of games over the weekend which extended and the ended the Penguins winning streak at 11 games. On Saturday, the Pens beat Martin Brodeur and the Devils 5-2 in front of 17,625 at Prudential Center. Pittsburgh outshot New Jersey 44-14 as the Penguins coasted by the Devils. On Sunday, the Flyers scored with 0.9 seconds left to go in overtime to give them a 3-2 win. Pittsburgh dominated the first two periods but only led 2-0. The Flyers got two early third period goals from Kimmo Timonen and Scott Harnell and then the game-winner in overtime from Hartnell. Craig Adams and Evgeni Malkin scored for the Penguins.
Penguins win 10th straight in Crosby's return (15-Mar-2012)
The Penguins defeat the Rangers 5-2 in Sidney Crosby's return in front of 18,200 at Madison Square Garden. Crosby had an assist and was plus 3 in the game. Goalscorers for Pittsburgh were Matt Cooke (2), Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. Kris Letang also returned to action after missing five games with headaches and was a plus 5 for the night.
Penguins rebound to defeat Maple Leafs 3-2 (7-Mar-2012)
The Penguins overcome a two-goal deficit and defeat Toronto 3-2 in front of 18,539 at CONSOL Energy Center. The Maple Leafs scored twice in the second period before Pascal Dupuis made it 2-1 at 9:25 of the second. Jordan Staal tied it at 1:34 of the third with his 22nd goal of the season. Dupuis netted the game-winner and his 17th of the season at 4:10 of the third. Dupuis assisted on the Staal goal for a three-point night good enough to make him the game's number one star.
Fleury strong in net in Penguins' 2-1 win over Phoenix (5-Mar-2012)
Marc-Andre Fleury stops 36 of 37 shots in the Penguins' 2-1 win over Phoenix in front of 18,540 at CONSOL Energy Center. Pittsburgh got first-period goals from Zbynek Michalek and Chris Kunitz. Ray Whitney spoiled Fleury's shutout bid early in the third period. The Pens have now won six straight games.
Penguins easily defeat Avalanche 5-1 (3-Mar-2012)
The Penguins cruised by the Avalanche in front of 18,007 (including numerous Pens fans) at Pepsi Center. Pittsburgh built a 4-0 lead before Colorado foiled Marc-Andre Fleury's shutout bid. Fleury ended the game with 35 saves for his 34th victory of the season. Goalscorers were Arron Asham, Deryk Engelland, Evgeni Malkin, Richard Park and Steve Sullivan (EN).
