| Pos | Role | Name |
| C | 1 | Sidney Crosby  ActiveThe 2013-14 regular season ended Sunday night with Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby capturing his second career Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's scoring champion. The Pens' superstar produced 104 points. Crosby, who won his first Art Ross in 2006-07, finished with 36 goals, an NHL-high 68 assists and 104 points -- besting Anaheim forward Ryan Getzlaf (31-56—87) and Philadelphia forward Claude Giroux (28-58—86). Crosby registered points in 60 of his 80 games, including 30 multi-point performances, and never went more than two consecutive games without a point. He posted four-point streaks of five or more games, highlighted by an eight-game run to open the season and a 10-game stretch in December. He also reached the 100-point milestone for the fifth time in his career. Only Mario Lemieux (10 times) has had more such seasons in Pens history. He also became the fourth player in Pens history to earn multiple Art Ross Trophies, following Lemieux (6), Jaromir Jagr (5) and Evgeni Malkin (2). His 17-point gap over Getzlaf marks the greatest differential for the League’s scoring champion since 1998-99, when Jagr beat out Teemu Selanne by 20 points. Apr 14 |
| 2 | Evgeni Malkin  SidelinedEvgeni Malkin is still questionable for Game 1, but took a step in the right direction on Tuesday by officially returning to practice for the first time since sustaining a foot injury on March 23. Malkin is close to returning, but Penguins coach Dan Bylsma would like to see how the superstar center feels on Wednesday before declaring him fit to play in the Pens’ playoff opener versus Columbus. "I can't say right now… but I feel great, I skated the full practice, and we’ll see (how the foot feels) tomorrow," said Malkin after Tuesday’s skate. Apr 15 |
| 3 | Brandon Sutter ActiveThird-line center Brandon Sutter had the winning goal in Game 1, a 4-3 triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets, when the Penguins’ top four scorers combined for no goals and a minus-4 rating. Big goals from Sutter don't surprise Pittsburgh coach Dan Blysma. "When he’s scored a goal, it’s always been a big goal," Bylsma said. "He’s right around the number he always seems to be at — 12 to 15 goals a year — but they always seem to be big goals." Eight of the Penguins’ 12 points in Game 1 were produced by defensemen or forwards who finished the game skating on the bottom two lines. The teams meet again for Game 2 today. Apr 19 |
| 4 | Joe Vitale SidelinedJoe Vitale (middle body) was sent back to Pittsburgh on Saturday. Vitale suffered the injury on March 20th and has yet to return. He had a setback and will now see doctors in Pittsburgh before he is able to return. Vitale has 14 points in 53 games this season. Apr 6 |
| 5 | Brian Gibbons SidelinedNo update was given on Brian Gibbons' status after Game 2 on Saturday night. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma had nothing to say after the double-overtime Game 2 loss to the Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old played 2:26 in the first period, but he made the most of his time, notching two goals. Gibbons appeared to hurt himself during a collision with Ryan Johansen around the 11:26 mark and played just five shifts. He had 17 points with the Penguins in 41 regular-season games. Apr 19 |
| 6 | Marcel Goc SidelinedMarcel Goc (ankle) hasn't been able to resume practices yet. Coach Dan Bylsma said Saturday that Goc hasn't received the green light to skate with his teammates. He hasn't played since Mar. 27 because of an ankle injury. Apr 19 |
| LW | 1 | Chris Kunitz ActiveChris Kunitz (lower body) returned to action on Sunday. Kunitz had an assist in Sunday's game and he ended the season with 35 goals and 68 points to go with a plus-25 rating. He also had 66 penalty minutes and 13 power play goals making him a fantasy gem in traditional pools. Apr 14 |
| 2 | Jussi Jokinen ActiveThe Pittsburgh Penguins had a losing weekend to finish their regular season. They'll enter the playoffs this week after losing both of their weekend games. Sunday night, they dropped a 3-2 decision in a shootout to the visiting Ottawa Senators. Jussi Jokinen scored one of the Pens' goals, his 21st of the season. Lee Stempniak also scored for Pittsburgh, his 12th of the season. Apr 13 |
| 3 | Beau Bennett ActiveBeau Bennett shrugged off Penguins coach Dan Bylsma's decision to demote him to the third line during Game 1 of the first round. "It's not tough," Bennett said. "Honestly, in the playoffs, you leave your ego at the door. Whatever happens, you're trying to get 16 wins. That's the end goal." Bylsma liked how the switch worked out, so Bennett might end up staying on the third line for now. Bennett ended up with a power-play goal and got the primary assist on the game-winner with his new linemate, Brandon Sutter. Apr 17 |
| 4 | Tanner Glass ActiveThe NHL rescinded a major elbowing penalty and game misconduct given to Pittsburgh forward Tanner Glass in the third period of a 6-5 shootout loss Thursday against Montreal. Replays showed that Montreal's Alexei Emelin got his glove and stick up, and those hit him in the face, not Glass. "Sometimes, a player gets a penalty and ... they have a sense about it," Pens coach Dan Bylsma said. "Tanner was flabbergasted that he got a penalty. ... Being rescinded confirms that for him." The penalty was significant because the Canadiens scored on the resulting power play, tying the score at 5-5 and forcing overtime. Bylsma, though, exonerated the referees. "I'm not going to say it was an easy call," he said. Mar 1 |
| 5 | Taylor Pyatt ActiveTaylor Pyatt scored a goal in Pittsburgh's 3-2 loss to Los Angeles. Pyatt has found the back of the net in two straight games. He typically doesn't do much offensively though and only has five points in 48 contests this season. Mar 28 |
| RW | 1 | James Neal ActiveJames Neal recorded a goal and two assists in Pittsburgh's 4-3 overtime loss to Philadelphia. He has three goals and three helpers in his past three games. Neal has amassed 61 points in 58 matches this campaign. Kris Letang notched a goal and an assist in loss, while Jussi Jokinen had the other marker. Apr 12 |
| 2 | Pascal Dupuis SidelinedThe loss of right wing Pascal Dupuis (knee) has been a damaging blow to the Pens' penalty-killing unit. With Dupuis in the lineup, the Penguins killed 87.5 percent of their penalties, which was on pace to give Pittsburgh's its second-best penalty-killing season in franchise history. Without Dupuis, who sustained a season-ending injury Dec. 23, the Pens have killed just 82.5 percent of their penalties. The penalty-killing unit has deteriorated since the Olympics. "We were very good up until then," Craig Adams said.
Adams said he believes the Pens' penchant for turning the puck over is the primary reason for the decline in penalty kill percentage. Defenseman Brooks Orpik's turnover led to Columbus center Mark Letestu's power-play goal in Game 1 of the first-round series Wednesday. "We aren't getting clears when we have the chance," Adams said. "There will always be times when it's a 50/50 situation and you get the puck out. But there have been times when we have clear control and we're still not getting it out. That's a problem." Apr 19 |
| 3 | Lee Stempniak ActiveLee Stempniak potted his 12th goal of the season on Sunday. Stempniak was dealt from the Flames at the deadline and while he saw plenty of action alongside Sidney Crosby, the Penguins will likely use him on the third line in the playoffs. Do not expect a lot from Stempniak if that is his role but he should average about .4 points a game so if you think the Penguins are going deep into the post-season, then he is worth a late selection. Apr 14 |
| 4 | Craig Adams ActiveCraig Adams played in his 345th game as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Adams tied Robert Lang for the most games played by a Penguin who was taken off waivers. Adams has three goals and five points in 44 games this season. He is the all-time leading NHL scorer for anyone born in the country of Brunei with 52 goals and 147 points and would be cinch to make the Brunei Olympic hockey team if they ever got one. Jan 6 |
| 5 | Jayson Megna ActiveJayson Megna has been called up by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Megna has five goals and eight points in 26 games with Pittsburgh in 2013-14. He also has nine goals and 14 points in 25 AHL contests. Mar 25 |
| D | 1 | Kris Letang ActivePenguins defenseman Kris Letang made a mistake and hurt his team by slashing Blue Jackets rookie Boone Jenner in response to a hit late in the second period of Game 1 on Wednesday. So Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma sat Letang on the bench for nearly eight minutes afterward. The Blue Jackets did not score on that power play, but Letang had two penalties, no shots and a minus-1 rating in the game. He also had a turnover that led to a shorthanded goal by Derek MacKenzie that gave the Jackets a 3-1 lead earlier in the second period. "I think going into a series, there are certain players that you’re looking to put a dent on and go after and forecheck and be physical on," Bylsma said. "Kris is one of those guys for our team. ... I didn’t like the response from Kris. I think he got a message, whether it was … not playing or a nice talk. He got a message." Another might have been sent Friday, when Letang was demoted to the second power-play unit during practice. He was put on a pair with defenseman Paul Martin while Matt Niskanen and Evgeni Malkin worked the points with the first unit. Apr 19 |
| 2 | Paul Martin ActivePaul Martin had two assists in Pittsburgh's 4-3 win over Columbus in Game 1 of the first round. Martin missed the better part of the regular season, but the big thing for Pittsburgh is that he's healthy now. He had two goals and 11 points in 15 games during the Penguins' 2013 playoff run. Apr 17 |
| 3 | Matt Niskanen ActiveMatt Niskanen notched a goal and an assist in the Penguins' 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Blue Jackets in Game 2 of the first-round series. With each game, Niskanen, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, is showing his worth and earning himself a better payday. The 27-year-old played 27:35 in recording his second straight power-play-goal-assist performance. Brian Gibbons, who left after playing just 2:26 in the first period, picked up the other two goals, his first-ever playoff markers. Gibbons notched the game's first goal at even strength and the second on the power play. Paul Martin, who logged 34:07, had two helpers, and so did Sidney Crosby, who finished with 30:34 in ice time. Apr 19 |
| 4 | Olli Maatta ActiveOlli Maatta recorded an assist in his playoff debut on Wednesday. Maatta assisted on Jussi Jokinen's first period goal. Maatta logged 17:11 minutes in Game 1 of the first round, including 1:22 minutes with his team shorthanded. He had nine goals and 29 points in 78 regular season games. Apr 17 |
| 5 | Brooks Orpik ActiveThe Penguins have struggled at Consol Energy Center in the postseason and veteran defenseman Brooks Orpik sees a connection to their troubles in their new building and the Penguins' inability to control their emotions. "I don't think it's a reach," Orpik said. "We tend to play a little bit different at home for whatever reason. I don't know if it's the excitement of the crowd or trying to impress the crowd. You always hear the term ‘a good road game,' which you want to duplicate at home. It's more boring, responsible. I don't think we're the only team that's fallen victim to it, but it has shown in the last couple of years." The Penguins were 22-9 during the Sidney Crosby era in playoff games at Civic Arena. At Consol Energy Center, they are 8-8. "We can talk about it until we're blue in the face," Orpik said. "Every guy has to be more disciplined." Apr 19 |
| 6 | Rob Scuderi ActiveRob Scuderi feels that the Pittsburgh Penguins have been lacking passion lately. The Penguins are 6-6-2 since the Olympic break, but the team hasn't been in any danger of losing their spot as the Metropolitan Division leaders. That might be the reason for their motivational problems, but they need to find a way to stay motivated otherwise they might end up getting upset by a hot Wild Card team that competed hard until the bitter end of the season. Mar 26 |
| 7 | Deryk Engelland ActiveDeryk Engelland skated as a forward in Friday's overtime loss to Edmonton. During his 9:44 of ice time, he registered four hits and a minus-1 rating. Engelland has eight points and 40 penalty minutes in 34 games this season. Jan 11 |
| 8 | Robert Bortuzzo ActiveRobert Bortuzzo has made a case to replace Kris Letang if the latter (stroke) doesn't return to the Penguins' defense corps this season. The physical Thunder Bay, Ontario, native was used as the Penguins' No. 6 defenseman against the Jets in Winnipeg on Thursday and is receiving rave reviews from assistant coach Todd Reirden, who oversees Pittsburgh's defensemen. "He has really done a great job recently," Reirden said. "He's sending a pretty loud and clear message that he wants to have that spot, to be in the lineup, if Kris isn't available." Bortuzzo hasn't been a healthy scratch since March 15 and, in the subsequent 11 games, is a plus-4. Apr 5 |
| 9 | Brian Dumoulin ActiveBrian Dumoulin is week-to-week with a leg injury suffered on January 31 in the minors. Dumoulin has played in six NHL games this season as the Penguins had a slew of injuries on the blueline but he has struggled in the minors. He will not be recalled unless the Penguins run into similar problems as occurred in December when five regulars were out of action. Feb 9 |
| G | 1 | Marc-Andre Fleury ActiveMarc-Andre Fleury made 41 saves in Pittsburgh's 4-3 double-overtime Game 2 loss to the Blue Jackets. It's pretty clear that Fleury is not going to be a netminder who steals the Penguins any games. Sure, he made a number of athletic saves, but he also appeared lost on several chances and doesn't appear to be playing too confidently, either. Fleury posted a nearly identical save percentage in this one (.911) as he did in Game 1 (.912). The Penguins head to Columbus for Game 3, which will be on Monday. Fleury recorded a .905 save percentage on the road during the regular season, compared to .924 at home. Apr 19 |
| 2 | Jeff Zatkoff ActiveGoaltender Jeff Zatkoff, getting a start in goal for the Penguins' regular-season finale, came out on the short end of a 3-2 shootout against the visiting Ottawa Senators Sunday night. Zatkoff was appearing in his 20th game of the season. He's unlikely to play in the playoffs unless first-stringer Marc-Andre Fleury is injured. Zatkoff finishes the season with a record of 12-6-2, a GAA of 2.61 and a save percentage of .912. Pittsburgh clinched the Metropolitan Division in early April but has not been satisfied with its game over the final two months of the season. Its top-ranked power-play unit hasn't been as effective in recent weeks because of injuries that have led to unfamiliar players (defenseman Brooks Orpik, for example) playing on the second unit. The Pens begin their opening playoff round against Columbus in Pittsburgh Wednesday night. Apr 13 |
| 3 | Tomas Vokoun ActiveTomas Vokoun is serving as the Pittsburgh Penguins' third-string goaltender. Vokoun completed a conditioning stint after missing the season due to a blood clot. If Marc-Andre Fleury struggles in the playoffs, Vokoun might find himself back between the pipes. Apr 16 |