Sidney Crosby News

OCTOBER 01: Rhett Rakhshani #49 of the New York Islanders skates in warmups prior to his game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on October 1, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey.

There are also cases of lofty expectations being placed on certain goaltenders after a few good seasons, which usually comes in the form of a huge contract.

Winnipeg Jets' Alexander Burmistrov celebrates his first-period goal with Tim Stapleton during an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb.

They call the last two months leading into the NHL playoffs the stretch run, and, for members of the Southeast Division, there's a heightened sense of urgency this season.

For all intents and purposes, the Penguins' current top line of Chris Kunitz , Evgeni Malkin and James Neal was born Dec.

Staal hasn't played since injuring his left knee against the New York Rangers on Jan.

Chris Harlan is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 412-380-5666 or via e-mail. Tyler Kennedy likely will miss at least the next month with a high-ankle sprain, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have established intense rivalries with teams such as the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers , and they have lesser rivalries with squads such as the Detroit Red Wings .

There is no shortage of coolness in professional sports. Although some athletes seem to take fuller advantage of the life of splendor their career affords them than others.

Thomas drew heat last month for not attending the Bruins' visit to the White House, an apparent protest of U.S. President Barack Obama's policies Thomas later explained on his Facebook page.

Josh Yohe is a McKeesport Daily News staff writer and can be reached at 412-664-9161, via e-mail or on Twitter .

Jordan Staal, jostling with teammate Sidney Crosby during a practice session Tuesday in Montreal, appears to be ready to return to the lineup after missing the past 15 games with a knee injury.

Jordan Staal, jostling with teammate Sidney Crosby during a practice session Tuesday in Montreal, appears to be ready to return to the lineup after missing the past 15 games with a knee injury.

Goalie Brian Elliott, left, has helped lead the St. Louis Blues to 10-2-2 run since Jan.

Nader, now part of an advocacy group taking on big league sports, urged NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to eliminate fisticuffs in hockey in an open letter published on Nader's website leagueoffans.org . "The National Hockey League must take immediate steps to ban fighting and outlaw all blows to the head," wrote Nader.

Chris Phillips is set to play his 1,000 NHL game on Thursday against Nashville, and like Alfie, all 1,000 have been with the Senators .

If Sidney Crosby's vexing concussion problems force him to retire, the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar is in line for a $20-million payday, thanks to a permanent disability insurance contract he purchased several years ago.

Trade deadline acquisition Marian Hossa helped the Penguins reach the 2008 Final, but signed with Red Wings in the summer.

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - There are few sports so thrilling as hockey, and few states that love it so much as Minnesota.

Yes folks, Sidney Crosby was skating with his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Monday, but will not be dressed to ace the Montreal Canadiens tonight.