Today in Penguins History (12/17/2011)

Today in 2011 marked milestones for a number of players on the Penguins roster.  In a home game at Consol Energy Center, the Penguins skated to an 3-8 win over the Buffalo Sabres.  But that wasn't the highlight of the evening as a few feats were completed.

1.  Current KHLer, Simon Despres scored his first NHL goal of his career, a power play goal at that, making the game 0-2 Penguins in the first and assisted by Jason Williams and Tyler Kennedy. 

2.  Evgeni Malkin scored his 7th NHL hat trick with his third goal, a power play goal, coming midway through the third period.  Malkin scored his 12th hat trick mid way through the 2018-19 season (he has two others in the playoffs).

3.  With the 3-8 victory over Buffalo, Marc-Andre-Fleury earned his 200th win of his career, with 16 saves on 19 shots.  As of this posting, he has 452 all time regular season wins.

4.  Brooks Orpik picked up his 100th point in the NHL, assisting on Evgeni Malkin's first goal of the game in the first period. Not known for his scoring prowess, Orpik would put 15 more apples on the board that year.

5.  This game marked the 700th NHL game for Pascal Dupuis and with his assist on Deryk Engelland's goal in the second period, he also notched his 300th career point.  He finished his career with 871 games and 409 points, retiring in 2015 due to complications with blood clots. 

6.  Carl Sneep recorded his first point with the assist on Evgeni Malkin's second goal of the game in the first period.  Interestingly enough, this would also be his last point.  Sneep never played another NHL game for the Penguins, or any team for that matter.

What's Wayne Looking At? The Iconic RC Photo.

Ever wonder where the photo came from for the iconic 1979-80 Topps/OPC Wayne Gretzky RC?  You might be surprised.  Check out this video from HockeyDocs YouTube channel with an interview from the original photographer Steve Babineau.  

Today in Penguins History (12/2/25)

While this wasn't necessarily a Penguins historical event, it was historical nonetheless.  On this day in 1925, the first NHL game ever to take place in the city of Pittsburgh happened.  The Pittsburgh Pirates lost in overtime to the New York Americans, 2-1.  Back then, the team played at the old Duquesne Gardens in Oakland (a city neighborhood for those not familiar with the Burgh).  When you don't have the means, you make due.  The Gardens was not an entertainment venue at all, but rather a trolley barn that had been converted to hold about 5,000 people.  

New Puck Junk Podcast 11-27-19; The One In Which We Discuss Coaching Miscues

So much has been going on in the hockey world, we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't discuss.  Check out the latest Puck Junk Podcast where Sal and I talk about the happenings around the league and the 3 B's...the brewing Bill Peters issue, the Babcock drama, and Bortuzzo's suspension, and all the other goodies you love.

You can check us out at the link below or find us on all the great podcast platforms including iTunes, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, PocketCasts, Castbox or SoundCloud.

Today In Penguins History (11/26/1991)

"It's A Great Day For Hockey"

1990-91 Pro Set Bob Johnson NHL Coach

That's been a mantra of the Pittsburgh Penguins since "Badger Bob" took the helm behind the bench in the 1990-91 season.  On this (sad) day in Penguins history, Bob Johnson passed away from brain cancer that had gone un-diagnosed until three months earlier when he suffered a brain aneurysm while working with Team USA in preparation for the Canada Cup tournament.  Scotty Bowman took over coaching the team, eventually leading them to their second and consecutive Stanley Cup victory.  But Bob Johnson's legacy would live on in Pittsburgh and the world of hockey forever.

New Puck Junk Podcast 11/21/19 - "The one in which we discuss the Hockey Hall Of Fame"

Check out the lastest Puck Junk Podcast where Sal and I discuss the 2019 Hockey Hall of Fame Class.  It's a lengthy discussion that twists and turns and you won't want to miss it.  Tune in on the link below or check us out and subscribe on iTunes.  OR!!! You can now check us out on iHeartRadio, Stitcher, PocketCasts, or Castbox.