First Call: Update on Miami QBs; checking Deshaun Watson’s progress before Steelers game; Winter Classic preview
Part of the path for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make the playoffs is getting a win against the Cleveland Browns and seeing a loss from the Miami Dolphins. In Monday’s “First Call,” we check on the Dolphins’ quarterback situation and how Deshaun Watson is doing under center in Cleveland. We...
Alex Ovechkin scores twice, passes Gordie Howe for 2nd in NHL history
WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin has passed Gordie Howe for second on the NHL career goals list. Ovechkin scored his 801st goal during the first period of the Washington Capitals’ game against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night. He received a drop pass from Dylan Strome at the top of the...
First Call: Minkah Fitzpatrick tops AFC free safety voting; Ravens deal with more injuries; Pens-Rangers renew rivalryVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” tells us which Pittsburgh Steeler is tops among his peers in Pro Bowl votes. Meanwhile, a few Ravens are dealing with bumps and bruises on the defensive side of the ball. On the hockey front, the Penguins finally get a crack at avenging last year’s playoff loss...
West Miffin’s Logan Cooley selected to United States’ team for IIHF World Junior Championship
Forward Logan Cooley, a native of West Mifflin, was selected to play for the United States’ team in the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship tournament later this month. USA Hockey announced the roster of 25 players on Friday evening. It marks the second time Cooley has been...
Alex Ovechkin hits 800 career goals with hat trick in Capitals win over Blackhawks
CHICAGO — Alex Ovechkin scored three times to become the third NHL player with 800 career goals, and the streaking Washington Capitals beat the lowly Chicago Blackhawks, 7-3, on Tuesday night. Ovechkin scored on his first two shots, beating Petr Mrazek 24 seconds into the game before stuffing one home...
First Call: Steelers need to fix run defense before facing Panthers; ex-Pens help Wild win; Robert Morris hockey eyes return to ice
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a Carolina Panthers team that has a very specific playoff path. And they are looking to get there by staying on the ground. Carolina may also have dodged an injury concern at wide receiver. A pair of former Penguins helped...
Tage Thompson’s 5-goal outing showcases his sizeable ability
BUFFALO, N.Y. — It was only fitting Tage Thompson got to celebrate the NHL’s most productive goal-scoring outing of the season with Don Granato, who was busy pulling one puck after another out of his pockets before the Sabres coach stopped at five in the visitor’s locker room in Columbus....
Christmas may be new Thanksgiving as NHL playoff barometer
For the better part of two decades since the NHL instituted a salary cap, enjoying turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes were synonymous with feeling pretty good about making the playoffs. Dating to 2005-06, with lockout- and pandemic-related seasons excepted, 76% of teams in a playoff spot by the U.S. Thanksgiving...
Hockey’s history shows handful of non-white pioneersVideo
Taffy Abel carried the American flag at the 1924 Olympics, where his team earned silver in hockey. Henry Elmer “Buddy” Maracle played 11 games in the early-1930s NHL. Paul Jacobs might have played in the league’s second season in 1918-19. But in the commonly known history of hockey, a predominantly...
Mark Madden: Don’t cancel Jack Edwards for harmless Pat Maroon fat jokes
Pat Maroon is maybe five pounds overweight. He’s a professional hockey player. How fat could he be? But the Tampa Bay winger nonetheless became a martyr for the overweight via an incident that took petty and self-righteous to a whole new level. Jack Edwards does play-by-play for Boston Bruins games...
First Call: Lamar Jackson health update as Steelers game nears; Penguins host ‘streaky’ Blues; NHL star on fire
Friday’s “First Call” previews the next opponent for the Pittsburgh Penguins. We check out the hottest player in the NHL. Lamar Jackson is trying to stay healthy in Baltimore as a game against the Steelers looms. Also, the Pitt and Duquesne men’s basketball teams look to keep their winning ways...
First Call: Could Tom Brady return to New England? Aaron Donald out; Phil Kessel back to face Pens
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ upcoming opponent got some bad news. Aaron Donald is injured. Phil Kessel is slumping. Joey Porter’s son is going pro. And could Tom Brady really go back to New England? All that and more in Thursday’s “First Call.” Donald down Former Pitt Panther Aaron Donald is going...
First Call: Ex-Steeler drafts Martavis Bryant in XFL; Penguins to face another former teammate in goal; Ja’Marr Chase update
Thursday’s “First Call” features the latest attempt to reignite the football career of former Steelers project Martavis Bryant. Antonio Brown is back performing in Pittsburgh. Ja’Marr Chase may not be back against the Steelers. But next week is a possibility. The Penguins aren’t done facing old teammates in goal. And...
First Call: Bengals health updates before Steelers matchup; Pat McAfee jabs Bill Cowher; Matt Murray to start vs. Penguins
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers will be keeping an eye on health updates coming out of Cincinnati in advance of Sunday’s showdown against the Bengals. The Ravens are getting healthy. Pat McAfee is defending the Jeff Saturday hire — and returning shots at Bill Cowher for criticizing it....
NHL, NHLPA call off plans to hold World Cup of Hockey in ’24
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have abandoned plans to hold a World Cup of Hockey in 2024. They made the announcement in a joint statement Friday, saying it was not feasible to hold the tournament in February as they had hoped. The league and union said they hope to...
First Call: Jalen Hurts thought he was going to be a Steeler; Saints injury update; Matt Murray not ready for Pens vs. Leafs
NFL MVP candidate Jalen Hurts says he thought he was going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler coming out of college. Pat Freiermuth sings the praises of Heath Miller. The Saints are dealing with plenty of injuries as they head up to Pittsburgh. Matt Murray won’t be healthy enough to play...
Oilers’ Evander Kane out 3-4 months after wrist cut by skateVideo
EDMONTON, Alberta — Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane will miss three to four months after being cut on the left wrist by a skate blade, the team announced Wednesday. The injury occurred during Edmonton’s 3-2 win at Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. Kane got tangled with Lightning defenseman Philippe Myers...
Bruins’ Neely: Team ‘dropped the ball’ in signing Miller
BOSTON — Bruins President Cam Neely said Monday the team “dropped the ball” with its internal vetting of Mitchell Miller, ultimately leading to the decision to rescind its contract offer to the defenseman. The 20-year-old Miller was selected by Arizona in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, but the...
Senators are up for sale, buyer must keep team in Ottawa
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Ottawa Senators are on the market. The board of directors of Senators Sports & Entertainment said Friday a process has been initiated for the sale of the NHL club. The board retained Galatioto Sports Partners, a firm specializing in the sports finance and advisory business, as...
Andrew Duncan, ‘Slap Shot’ announcer Jim Carr, dies
Actor Andrew Duncan, better known to Johnstown hockey fans as fictional Charlestown Chiefs broadcaster Jim Carr, has died, according to Second City Theater, which announced the news on Monday. His age and cause of death had not been announced as of Tuesday, but Duncan told The Tribune-Democrat he was 90...
Bruce Boudreau adapts on way to 600 wins as an NHL coach
When Bruce Boudreau finally got his first chance to be an NHL coach with Washington in 2007, he took over a staff with only a few assistants. George McPhee told Boudreau to coach the way he wanted to coach and he’d be there a while. Boudreau did that, helped the...
First Call: Jason Kelce addresses Batman mask during blowout of Steelers; NHL honors for Marc-Andre Fleury
Tuesday’s “First Call” gets clarification about a sideline moment from the Steelers-Eagles game. Pitt is getting a watered-down version of Syracuse Saturday. A former Penguin gets NHL honors. And the Penguins are facing two of the Atlantic Division’s best this week. The Dark Knight recognizes Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce...
Arizona Coyotes ready to party at The MullettVideo
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Mullett will have a party in the front and the back Friday night. By far the NHL’s smallest venue, Mullett Arena takes its first spin in the national spotlight when the Arizona Coyotes host the Winnipeg Jets. It should be a rockin’ — howlin’? — good...
First Call: Tennessee is newest suggested trade spot for Chase Claypool; Phil Kessel, Marc-Andre Fleury make history
Wednesday’s “First Call” reveals the latest trade idea surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool. The Browns may deal a skill position player too. We look at the gambling odds for all of the AFC North games this week. And Phil Kessel hits two milestones in one night. Another name...
Knights’ Phil Kessel sets NHL ironman record, scores 400th goalVideo
LAS VEGAS — Vegas Golden Knights forward Phil Kessel isn’t a fan of attention. Regardless, the 17-year veteran found himself in the NHL spotlight on Tuesday night. After matching defenseman Keith Yandle’s record for consecutive games played on Monday against Toronto, Kessel broke the mark Tuesday night when he appeared...
