There wasn’t much to be excited about as the playoffs commenced. But an inspired effort in Game 1 established the Penguins have a different narrative in mind against the Rangers.
After what seems like a lifetime of doing the right thing and rooting against Duke, I’m backing the Blue Devils in the Final Four. Blame it on the coach with the name that’s difficult to pronounce and even tougher to spell.
Career goal No. 500 was a significant milestone, but for the Penguins’ captain, it was also just another day at the office in a 17-years-and-counting run of defining moments that range from subtle to historic.
It seems the Steelers are a long way from earning a trip to the league championship, but this season the Bengals have reminded everyone how quickly the game can change.
Mike Tomlin knows what he wants in looking for Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement. The question is what are he and the Steelers willing to do to get that guy?
The Steelers are 1-3-1 in their last five games but, amazingly, they’re still in the playoff conversation. They’ll probably get the help they need the rest of the way, too. But can they help themselves?
The Panthers’ rise from embarrassment to the ACC Championship was inspiring. It was also a lesson to those quick to jump off a bandwagon. Those inclined to do so risk missing a hell of a ride.
With the series tied at a game apiece, how the Pens fare the rest of the way will depend heavily on how their brand of physicality counters the Islanders’ heavy-hitting approach.
What looked like the end of an era was captured for posterity a bunch of times during and after the collapse against Cleveland. It might be a while before Mike Tomlin and the survivors find themselves smiling for the cameras again.
Cleveland won’t be what they could have been Sunday night due to circumstances beyond their control. The Steelers need to be all they can be, anyway, or else.
The quarterback and his team need to identify what’s wrong before they can fix it. There’s enough evidence available to identify the former, which gives them a chance to accomplish the latter in time.
The team, with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, has gone from being perceived as a legitimate contender to being doubted locally and nationally, and deservedly so.
Making it halfway through the season undefeated says a lot about how the Steelers are constructed. But their commitment despite whatever’s thrown in their path by the pandemic is also a critical component.
Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford is doing what he can to keep his team ready during the NHL’s current hiatus. But Rutherford also knows the league may not make it back until next season. We’ll soon get to a point where the NHL shouldn’t.
It’s easy to understand and accept why our games have suddenly gone away. It’s what to do without them that’s perplexing and depressing if not distressing.
Robert Morris’ last-second survival in the Northeast Conference semifinals re-introduced tournament basketball with all the mayhem and euphoria we’ve come to anticipate at this point of a season.
The Pens needed more depth to solidify their status as Stanley Cup contenders. With limited resources, General Manager Jim Rutherford had to get creative — and he may have solved two problems by addressing one.
The 40th anniversary of one of America’s all-time Olympic feel-good stories is worthy of remembering and celebrating every February, and always will be. Even if the story wasn’t told quite the way it should have been initially.
High-profile trades for well-established players like Jason Zucker include an element of unpredictability, but this was still a deal the Penguins had to make.
Steelers president Art Rooney II gives every indication the team doesn’t feel the need to secure more insurance at quarterback in the event what happened to Ben Roethlisberger happens again.
The former hometown hero and Super Bowl-winning head coach isn’t immune to criticism. But the fruits of his labor still resonate, and his passion and presence on the sideline remain unforgettable.
No matter who’s playing running back, wide receiver or QB, to make it to the playoffs the Steelers are going to need even more from their defense, not just more of the same.
In an NFL rarity, brothers Trey, Terrell and Tremaine Edmunds are poised to celebrate Sunday Night Football in Pittsburgh by all appearing in the Steelers-Bills showdown.
Even without a Heisman Trophy or a Super Bowl ring, Steelers fans should appreciate all the Cardinals wide receiver has done and stood for since arriving at Pitt.
New General Manager Ben Cherington likes what he sees in Pittsburgh and thinks he can make a difference. But nobody in the new-look Buccos' front office is talking about increasing the payroll. And in Pittsburgh, it’ll always come back to that until it doesn’t.
Pitt has its refurbished house in order, RMU has a spectacular new home and Duquesne is working on one. That should get the local programs back in the game of NCAA Tournament contenders and participants.
Will the Steelers be able to parlay their good fortune against Indianapolis into contending status in the second half of the season? That’s still a reach based on what we’ve already seen.
