Pens Points: Three Point Weekend

It was a fast start for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon against the New Jersey Devils, but an early Sidney Crosby goal was all they could muster in a 2-1 overtime loss. Even with the overtime defeat, the Penguins were able to capture a point and walk away from their three game stretch against the Devils with three points in total, a boost to their playoff hopes. [Pensburgh]

Start your week off right with Pens Points...

Time for another standings update and the Penguins remain in good position among their Eastern Division rivals. The same cannot be said for the cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers who are 4-6-0 in their last ten and in a complete free fall at the moment. Hate to see it. [Pensburgh]

For a second straight game, Penguins forward Brandon Tanev was not in the lineup to face the Devils. Tanev’s exclusion from the lineup was foretold when he didn’t take warmups. After the game it was revealed he is battling an undisclosed injury. [Trib Live]

Saturday was a big day for the Penguins newly crowned “Mustache Boy” Bryan Rust. Just a day after losing the shootout competition to claim the title, Rust scored what turned out to the game winning goal against the Devils in spectacular fashion. [Penguins]

Rust’s new lip foliage is his penalty for losing the team shootout competition at practice on Friday and may mark the return of “Mustache Boy” after some time away. Whatever the case, the powers of the mustache worked on Saturday. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

One of the key factors in the Penguins victory on Saturday was the penalty kill. In four attempts, the Penguins successfully killed off four Devils power plays, including two in the third period with the Penguins clinging to a one goal lead. [Trib Live]

Hard to believe the NHL has already reached the midseason mark, but time flies when you’re having fun. For the Penguins, the first half of the season has been a rollercoaster, but overall it was a solid performance that sets them up well. [ESPN]

Saturday was about the perfect March day in Pittsburgh, so you can be forgiven if you opted to spend the day outside instead of watching the Penguins. Should you need to catch up on all the happenings, you can do so with our recap. [Pensburgh]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Hockey is a family affair for a handful of players around the NHL, but the league’s COVID-19 protocols have changed how brothers interact during the season. Gone, for now, are the days of hanging out on days off, exchanged for limited contact off the ice. [NHL]

Not exactly NHL news, but the NCAA released its national tournament bracket on Sunday evening with the competition set to begin on Friday. This year’s Frozen Four is scheduled to be held at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. [NCAA]