Penguins Play the Ducks, They Join the Growing Calls for Better Neck Protection, and NHL Notes
Welcome to the THW Pittsburgh Penguins Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Penguins writers.
We look at tonight’s (Nov. 7) rematch against the Anaheim Ducks, the Penguins joining the effort for greater neck protection in hockey following the death of Adam Johnson, and NHL notes, including those about Erik Karlsson and Sidney Crosby.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Penguins Gameday Preview: Anaheim Ducks 11/07/23
November 7, 2023 by George Majchrzak
Though October may not have gone how the Pittsburgh Penguins had planned, November started off with a bang. On Saturday (Nov. 4) the Penguins visited the San Jose Sharks, a team mired in what could be a historically bad season. What followed was a 10-2 romp for the Penguins, the second-straight game the Sharks allowed double digit goals.
Tonight (Nov. 7), however, they continue their west coast swing in Anaheim against a Ducks team that defeated them 4-3 in Pittsburgh last Monday, Oct. 30. The Ducks have shown themselves not to be pushovers early in this season. At 7-4-0, they have won six games in a row, including three in overtime. They won their last game 4-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights, handing the defending Stanley Cup Champions their first loss in regulation.
While the Penguins look to build off the momentum from the Sharks game, the Ducks want to keep this good thing they’ve got going. And the Penguins know all too well that these Ducks are not to be taken lightly.
Penguins Join Growing Call for Neck Protection in Hockey
November 5, 2023 by Ben Wagner
On Oct. 28, forward Adam Johnson of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)’s Nottingham Panthers passed away after a freak collision that resulted in a cut on his neck from a stray skate blade. Johnson’s former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, paid tribute to him in a ceremony before their game against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday (Oct. 30). Many players in the Penguins’ organization and around the league have issued statements of condolence and support for Johnson’s loved ones. An incident eerily reminiscent of what happened to goaltender Clint Malarchuk and forward Richard Zednik, it has re-ignited the debate on mandating neck protection in the sport.
Following the incident, teams at all levels of hockey began exploring options for mandating neck protection. The EIHL is introducing mandatory neck guards beginning in 2024 after a ruling by the English Ice Hockey Association, and the Western Hockey League (WHL) is taking it a step further and mandating that all players wear neck protection for all on-ice activities beginning Nov. 3. The Penguins joined the growing call for the safety equipment by introducing a mandate for all players of their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and ECHL affiliate Wheeling Nailers. While not extending the official ruling to the NHL club, the organization has urged its players to use them.
Sunday NHL Notes on Karlsson, Crosby, Byfield and More
November 5, 2023 by Mike Cranwell
It is a great time to be a hockey fan, as the first few weeks of the NHL season have shown … and that’s before Connor McDavid gets going. Some musing and observations from around the league, starting in Pittsburgh.
First up, in Pittsburgh, why is Erik Karlsson playing on the penalty kill? Yes, he has played it throughout his career, though San Jose Sharks’ head coach David Quinn was smart enough last season to greatly limit his time to what amounts to likely being the end of a few PK shifts. Early this season, Karlsson is taking proper shifts including last Saturday against the team who drafted him, the Ottawa Senators. Karlsson blew the coverage as I was doing a double take at his presence on the ice leading to Ottawa’s first goal in a 5-2 loss. Kris Letang on the PK is understandable, as his role has changed with Karlsson’s acquisition. Karlsson though, not so much, and is a perfect microcosm of Pittsburgh’s issues to start the season.