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It was an early New Year’s celebration for the Penguins and their fans as the team extended its season long win streak to six games with a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday evening. Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, and Riley Sheahan tallied the goals for the Penguins while Casey DeSmith put in a solid performance in his return to the crease. [Pensburgh]
Start the new year off right with the first Pens Points of 2019...
In his five games since returning from injury, Matt Murray is a perfect 5-0-0 in his starts and showing signs of the goaltender who won back-to-back Stanley Cups as a rookie. His .959 save percentage over his last five games marks the best five game stretch of his young career. [Pensburgh]
When the clock strikes midnight, it will mark the first time since January 1, 2016 that the Penguins did not begin a new calendar year as the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Although 2018 did not feature a third consecutive summer with Stanley for the Penguins, there were still many great moments to be remembered and celebrated. [Trib Live]
As a player, Mario Lemieux had many occasions to look back on and celebrate years later. Last Thursday we celebrated the 18th anniversary of Lemieux’s return to the game of hockey. Yesterday, New Year’s Eve, marked the 30th anniversary of Mario’s historic night where he scored five goals five different ways. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
After limping through the first two months of the season, the Penguins seemingly have righted the ship with a strong December. Here’s to hoping that momentum can carry over into January and beyond as they begin their push for another Stanley Cup. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
News and notes from around the NHL...
Tomorrow, NHL will announce 2020 Winter Classic will be in Dallas. Not sure yet who the Stars’ opponent will be.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) December 31, 2018
Looks like the 2020 NHL Winter Classic will be heading to Texas next season with the Dallas Stars playing host. Opponent and location are TBD but this will be the southernmost Winter Classic to date. [SBNation]
A lot has gone wrong for the Blackhawks this season but they still have some bright spots amid the dark. Patrick Kane posted two three-point games in the last week and was rewarded with the NHL’s First Star of the Week honors. Matthew Barzal of the Islanders and Mackenzie Blackwood of the Devils took home Second and Third Star honors respectively. [NHL]