Sport-scan daily brief

The plan remains for one of the Penguins' assistants — Tony Granato, Todd Reirden and Jacques Martin — to work from the media level during games. That coach communicates with another assistant via a headset. Former goalie coach Gilles Meloche used to hold that responsibility.

Granato, not behind the bench Thursday, replaced Martin there Saturday.

Around the boards

Cassidy Wolf, the reigning Miss Teen USA, said on Twitter that she attended Saturday's game and that it was her first NHL contest. … The Mario Lemieux Foundation's Penguins 6.6K Run/Walk starts at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, with registration at 7 a.m. Many members of the Penguins organization are expected to be on hand for the inaugural event.

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.06.2013

719821 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins notebook: Bennett expected to return to right wing

October 6, 2013 12:15 am

By Shelly Anderson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For weeks, Beau Bennett was asked ad nauseam about switching from his natural position, right wing, to the left side, where he was expected to play for the Penguins alongside Evgeni Malkin or Brandon Sutter.

He insisted it doesn't really matter.

Now it really, really doesn't matter.

With James Neal out of the lineup for potentially an extended amount of time because of an unspecified upper-body injury, Bennett, 21, is expected to be one player, if not the main player, to fill in on Malkin's right wing. Jussi Jokinen on the left side, Malkin and Bennett was the combination primarily used on that second line Saturday night against Buffalo at Consol Energy Center.

"I've been playing left for a while now, so it's just kind of getting back in the swing of things on the right side," Bennett, a right-handed shot, said. "There's really not that much difference, especially with a smart guy like Jussi.

"When we come back in the zone, if he's on my side, I'll stay on his and whatnot. We're kind of all over the place, reading off of each other. For the most part, it's pretty much the same."

Playing with an elite, creative player such as Malkin has its challenges, regardless of which side a winger is stationed. Malkin and Neal have developed a strong rapport.

"When you see [Neal] playing on that side, they're always supporting each other no matter where it is on the ice," Bennett said. "You want to develop that chemistry, that trust, and it will only get better with time."

Bennett and Jokinen have often played on the second power-play unit and already know each others' tendencies.

"We talk quite a bit," Bennett said. "He's a smart guy. You just have to read and react to what he's doing."

There was no update on Neal, who is out on a week-to-week basis.

Letang skating again

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang skated on his own briefly before the team's game-day skate, his first time on the ice since he got what is believed to be a knee injury Sept. 27 in practice.

"I don't have an exact timetable on when he would return to practice for sure, but he's progressed real well," coach Dan Bylsma said. "I hope [his return to practice] is in the near future."

Letang is eligible to come off of injured reserve in time to play Tuesday against Carolina, but there is no indication of whether he will be ready for that game.

Winger Matt D'Agostini, who is on long-term injured reserve because of an unspecified injury, could be back to practice in less than two weeks.

"I'm looking for Matt probably about the 16th or the 18th -- we play [at Philadelphia] on the 17th," Bylsma said.

Sabres summon goalie

Around midnight Friday night, goaltender Matt Hackett was decompressing from a rough outing with the Rochester Americans, when he gave up six goals on 30 shots in an 8-1, season-opening loss to defending American Hockey League champion Grand Rapids.

"I was home, about to pass out," Hackett, 23, said.

He didn't expect his phone to ring, and especially not the call he got: The Sabres were summoning him to Pittsburgh because goalie Ryan Miller came out of a 1-0 loss to Ottawa that night with a minor injury.

"I never saw being called up after giving up six goals coming," Hackett said.

He drove from Rochester to Buffalo, and a driver brought him to Consol Energy Center in time for a Sabres optional morning skate.

"It's been a crazy night," he said after the skate.

Hackett dressed as Jhonas Enroth's backup against the Penguins. Miller reportedly had a sore groin, and coach Ron Rolston said his No. 1 goalie is expected to be back quickly.

Quick hits

The Penguins' only healthy scratch was defenseman Deryk Engelland. ... Defenseman Henrik Tallinder did not play. He was injured in the Ottawa game and could miss about a week, Rolston said. ... The Sabres are splitting their captaincy this season, with center Steve Ott wearing the "C" on the road and winger Thomas Vanek wearing it for home games.

Post Gazette LOADED: 10.06.2013

719822 Pittsburgh Penguins

On the Penguins: Who can contend for the hardware?

October 6, 2013 12:14 am

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This game, at its heart, is really all about just one trophy.

Stands nearly three feet tall, weighs 341/2 pounds. Has a bit of a glow to it.

Over the decades, it has held everything from champagne to dog food, along with the dreams of countless players and fans.

Heck, it single-handedly has made the name Stanley cool.

But the Stanley Cup is not the NHL's only piece of hardware, as evidenced by the bounty of Art Ross trophies -- 14, at last count -- the Penguins have collected since the late 1980s.

Some individual awards, like the Calder and the Vezina, are infused with the game's heritage; others, such as the Mark Messier Leadership Award, haven't been around long enough to collect more than a thin layer of dust while resting on their recipients' mantels.

Here's a look at trophies for which Penguins players are expected to contend in 2013-14.

Hart (League MVP)

Candidates: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin.

What it will take: Expectations, as usual, are high for the Penguins, and if the team lives up to them, voters are likely to recognize the contributions of Crosby and/or Malkin, assuming they play a major role in the group's success.

Why it might not happen: There are lots of terrific talents in the league, including Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in Chicago, and if a high-profile player -- say, Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos -- carries his club to a better-than-anticipated season, he would be a worthy contender for the Hart.

Early-season favorite: Crosby.

Art Ross (Scoring champion)

Candidates: Crosby, Malkin.

What it will take: For Crosby, output like he had before a broken jaw forced him to miss the final quarter of last season probably would suffice. For Malkin, matching -- or exceeding -- the kind of production he generated en route to two previous Rosses could do it.

Why it might not happen: Crosby has proven capable of doing just about everything in recent seasons -- except staying healthy. If he can pull that off, however, Malkin might be hard-pressed to match his pace.

Early-season favorite: Crosby.

Norris (Best defenseman)

Candidate: Kris Letang.

What it will take: Keeping his offensive game at its current level, or even raising it, while exorcising some of his defensive-zone flaws.

Why it might not happen: Starting the season on injured-reserve when there are so many Norris-worthy defensemen in the league doesn't bode well for his chances.

Early-season favorite: Ryan Suter (Minnesota).

Rocket Richard (Goal-scoring champion)

Candidate: Malkin.

What it will take: Malkin already has a 50-goal season to his credit and losing linemate James Neal, a darkhorse Richard possibility before an unspecified injury forced him out of the lineup indefinitely, might actually pad Malkin's total by prompting him to shoot in some situations when he might otherwise have tried to set up Neal.

Why it might not happen: Although Malkin is a accomplished goal-scorer, there are a few other guys, Alex Ovechkin of Washington and Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos prominent among them, who generally find the net even more often than he does.

Early-season favorite: Ovechkin.

Selke (Top defensive forward)

Candidate: Pascal Dupuis.

What it will take: Something just shy of divine intervention. Not because there are any soft spots in Dupuis' defensive work, including his strong penalty-killing, but because there's a group of perennial contenders for the award, and he's not one of them. Still, people whose attention is caught by his offensive numbers might look closely enough to notice the rest of his game.

Why it might not happen: Guys generally have to be Selke-worthy for about three years before they actually win the award, and that statute of limitations still is running for Dupuis.

Early-season favorite: Patrice Bergeron (Boston).

The week ahead

Tuesday: Carolina ... The Penguins didn't see former teammate Jordan Staal until the final game of the 2013 regular season. They won't have to wait nearly that long this time.

Friday: at Florida ... Seems like a waste to travel to south Florida at a time when the weather in Western Pennsylvania still is quite pleasant.

Saturday: at Tampa Bay ... Games against the Lightning just won't be the same after the departure of its captain and franchise cornerstone, Vincent Lecavalier.

Post Gazette LOADED: 10.06.2013

719823 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins top Buffalo Sabres, 4-1

October 5, 2013 9:49 pm

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Chances are the Penguins won't put in a rush order for a new banner to celebrate this accomplishment.

It's not likely to take away any luster from the Stanley Cup, the conference championships and division titles they've earned in the past 18 years, either.

Nonetheless, the Penguins' 4-1 victory against Buffalo Saturday night at Consol Energy Center did have some historical significance: It marked the first time they have won their first two home games in a season since 1995.

"No way," goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said. "I didn't know that."

Not many people did. Or would have guessed, for that matter.

"With all the [good] teams we've had here, that's surprising," Fleury said. "Feels good, though."

It should, because the Penguins have earned their two victories with pretty solid, responsible efforts.

"There's no doubt we can improve and execute a little bit better," center Sidney Crosby said. "But I think our work ethic and our commitment to playing defense has been there, and that's allowed us to win some games."

And nearly made it possible for Fleury and his teammates to carve out another niche in the franchise record book.

For while they have not opened a season with consecutive shutouts since entering the NHL in 1967, that nearly changed Saturday.

Fleury, who recorded a 3-0 shutout against New Jersey in the opener last Thursday, looked as if he would hold the Sabres goal-less, as well, until Thomas Vanek knocked a puck out of the air and past him at 15:06 of the third period.

"It's a little bit [disappointing]," Fleury said. "I don't think I've had two straight shutouts, either, so it would have been nice to get those, but you can't be selfish."

The Sabres, who have played three times in four days, have put together a few striking numbers of their own in the first week of the season. None are positive.

Buffalo has started a season with three regulation losses in a row for the first time, has failed to convert any of 13 power plays and has manufactured a total of two -- count 'em, two -- goals in 180 minutes.

Pretty tough to win when you're averaging two-thirds of a goal per game. Almost as difficult as it is to lose when you're allowing an average of one-half per game.

But even though the Sabres didn't manufacture many shots, Fleury had to make a few quality stops, including a couple when the outcome wasn't certain.

At 4:10 of the first period, he denied Cory Hodgson on a redirection and then, with 70 seconds to go before the intermission, rejected a turning shot in front by Drew Stafford.

The Penguins played without defenseman Kris Letang and right winger James Neal, and the Sabres were missing a big name, too, as goalie Ryan Miller did not dress because of an undisclosed injury.

Whether Miller could have had an impact on the outcome is debatable, though, because Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth played well and made several excellent stops to prevent the Penguins, who spent much of the game in the Buffalo zone, from putting the game out of reach long before it ended.

"When we put our mind to playing in their end, you could see that we can keep them in there for long stretches, and obviously that's a good place to play," right winger Craig Adams said.

Still, Enroth could not stop them from building a two-goal advantage in the opening period.

Crosby gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead with his second goal of the season at 3:39 of the first, as he punched his own rebound past Enroth from the front lip of the crease.

At this point in his career, Crosby must enjoy seeing the Sabres even more than some of their most dedicated fans, considering he has at least one point in each of his past 15 games against them.

Chuck Kobasew deflected a Brandon Sutter shot by Enroth at 13:43 for his second goal in two games.

Enroth prevented Kobasew -- and everyone else -- from adding to the Penguins' lead until 10:09 of the third, when Chris Kunitz scored on a penalty shot to make it 3-0 and, after Vanek spoiled Fleury's shutout, Adams hit an empty net at 18:15 to give the Penguins their margin of victory.

And the 2-0 start on home ice that has eluded them for nearly two decades.

"We want to be really good here and make it tough on other teams," Crosby said. "Defensively, the way we're playing, I think we've frustrated a couple of teams here. That's what we wanted to do."

Post Gazette LOADED: 10.06.2013

719824 San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks stay undefeated, down Phoenix Coyotes

By David Pollak

dpollak@mercurynews.com

Posted: 10/05/2013 10:18:20 PM PDT

Updated: 10/06/2013 12:00:41 AM PDT

SAN JOSE -- Somebody forgot to tell rookie Tomas Hertl that Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith owns the Sharks. Or maybe it was the language barrier.

Either way, two goals by the 19-year-old forward from the Czech Republic early in the first period sparked San Jose to a 4-1 victory Saturday night over the Coyotes to keep the Sharks undefeated in this young season.

"Language barrier maybe," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said of what may have helped Hertl beat Smith. "But to score on the first shot against him, that kind of gives him a little more confidence that you can beat him. He certainly had our number so we're happy with that."

Patrick Marleau added his second goal of the season shortly after Hertl's pair to stake the Sharks to a 3-0 lead that held up until Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson beat San Jose goalie Antti Niemi late in the second period. Logan Couture scored into an empty net for the final Sharks goal with 24.6 seconds remaining in the game.

Hertl has a perpetual smile on his face, and it was even wider after the game. That might have been because the goals came on his girlfriend's birthday and she, along with the rookie's mother, had traveled from the Czech Republic to see him play.

That was his girlfriend, in fact, that Hertl was pointing to in the crowd after he scored.

"It's crazy, I'm very happy," Hertl said in his limited English.

Hertl has shown quickly why the Sharks used the 17th overall pick to make him their first-round choice in the 2012 draft.

That his two goals came against Smith gave them added weight. The Coyotes netminder was 6-0-1 in his past seven starts against the Sharks and had a .985 save percentage in two games against them last season.

English skills aside, it didn't take Hertl long to communicate that he wasn't cowed by Smith's reputation as the rookie's first goal came on his first shot just 46 seconds into the game.

The play developed as defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic stopped a Coyotes rush through the neutral zone, then delivered the puck to Hertl as he was about to cross into the Phoenix zone.

"He was completely open," Vlasic said. "Their d-men changed, so I gave it up right away. Good things happen when you do that."

Hertl headed straight to the net before the Coyotes defense could recover, then shoveled a backhand shot past Smith.

The rookie's second goal came on a Sharks power play that came to life with two goals Saturday night after going 0 for 8 in San Jose's opening game.

This time, Hertl was simply in the right place at the right time, stationed in the slot where he could deflect Matt Irwin's shot from the blue line over Smith's glove at 7:23.

About five minutes later, the Sharks were on their second power play when the rebound of a shot by Joe Pavelski caromed to Vlasic, who put it on Marleau's stick just outside the crease.

"He was square right in front of me," Vlasic said of Marleau. "Patty scores 40 goals a year. I might as well give it to him, right?"

San Jose continued to dominate play in the second period before the Coyotes took advantage of a lapse that let an unchecked Ekman-Larsson fire a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle that beat Niemi at 16:47.

But the Sharks defense stiffened, allowing Phoenix just six shots in the third period while San Jose threw 17 pucks at Smith. The Sharks outshot the Coyotes for the game 51-23.

McLellan made one change in the lineup that won San Jose's season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, inserting John McCarthy at right wing on the fourth line in place of Matt Pelech.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.06.2013

719825 San Jose Sharks

Sharks seek breakthrough against Coyotes' Mike Smith

By David Pollak

dpollak@mercurynews.com

Posted: 10/05/2013 12:24:00 PM PDT

Updated: 10/05/2013 12:24:03 PM PDT

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks are going to have to beat a goaltender who has had their number in recent years Saturday night if they're going to start the season 2-0 with a win over the Phoenix Coyotes.

At one time they did have some success against Mike Smith, going 3-1 in their first four games against him. But San Jose is 0-6-1 against Smith the last seven times they faced him and his stats last year alone were a staggeringly good 2-0-0 with a .985 save percentage and a 0.48 goals against average.

So does coach Todd McLellan worry about Smith's past success getting inside his players' heads?

"If we over-hype a goaltender because he's played well against us, it isn't going to do us any good. We've got to try and help our group and find ways to beat him," McLellan said. "He feels good playing against us. It's our job to try and turn the tide a little bit."

Players say that while they'll factor in Smith's tendencies, the best way to beat him is the same as the best way to beat any goalie: Get traffic in front of the net and multiple shots in succession.

"Any goalie can make the first or second stop," Logan Couture said. "You get the third shot, you're probably going to score.

Smith provides an extra challenge as the NHL's best puck-handling goalie, often serving as a third defenseman to get the Coyote offense going. That means the Sharks have to be extra careful about where they dump the puck in the Phoenix zone.

"We have to keep it away from him," Couture said.

But Joe Pavelski saw Smith's style of play as something that could generate scoring chances for San Jose.

"So if he's playing it in the corners, that's fine because he's out roaming and there's more of a chance to make a mistake," Pavelski said. "But we've got to place it well."

McLellan planned one lineup change with John McCarthy replacing Matt Pelech on the fourth line. That means veteran defenseman Brad Stuart will miss his second game as he recovers from an offseason injury.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.06.2013

719826 San Jose Sharks

Tomas Hertl leads San Jose Sharks over Phoenix 4-1

Ross McKeon

Updated 11:34 pm, Saturday, October 5, 2013

Tomas Hertl introduced himself to the NHL in a big way Saturday night.

San Jose's 19-year-old rookie sensation scored his first two career goals, celebrating each with sincere youthful enthusiasm, to lead the Sharks past the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1.

"He's probably dreamed about playing in the NHL since he was 5 or 6 years old," captain Joe Thornton said. "You can see him smiling from ear to ear. We love it."

Leave it to the talented Czech to solve a goalie who has given the Sharks fits of late. Phoenix's Mike Smith was 6-0-1 with a 1.00 goals-against average, .971 save percentage and four shutouts in his previous seven decisions against San Jose. Big, quick and good with his stick, Smith was definitely in Sharks shooters' heads.

But Hertl wasted no time in taking down San Jose's nemesis, making good a breakaway in the game's opening minute and recording his team's first power-play goal of the season shortly thereafter.

The Sharks (2-0) took advantage of a slow Phoenix change when defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic's outlet pass sprung Hertl, who split Coyotes blue liners Oliver Eckman-Larsson and John Morris on his way to beating Smith between the pads with a backhand shot 46 seconds after the opening face-off.

After Larsson held Logan Couture at 6:34, the Sharks snapped an 0-for-8 start on the power play 48 seconds into the advantage. With his back to the goal, Hertl redirected a midair drive by defenseman Matt Irwin from the right point past Smith at 7:23.

"You can see how he's having fun with it, and he's smiling so much," Patrick Marleau said. "He brings a lot of energy to us and it's fun to see."

After each goal, Hertl flashed a big smile while skating quickly away from the goal with his hands high in the air. He pointed toward his mother and girlfriend, who was celebrating a birthday, after his first goal.

"It's crazy, and to win, I'm very happy," Hertl said.

The Sharks' opening-period domination continued when Phoenix's Kyle Chipchura high-sticked Thornton at 10:35 and the hosts put a whopping eight shots on goal in converting a second straight power play. Marleau's 406th career goal - tying him with Rod Gilbert and John Leclair for 84th on the NHL's all-time list - came on a tap-in to cap a three-shot sequence in close at 12:30. Smith made saves on Joe Pavelski and Vlasic, but the puck popped free to an unmarked Marleau.

The Coyotes finally broke through late when Larsson used Vlasic as a screen to beat San Jose goalie Antti Niemi with a drive from the right circle at 16:47 of the second period on Phoenix's 14th shot of the game.

Couture closed the scoring with an empty-net goal with 24.6 seconds left.

Niemi stopped 22 shotsas the Sharks finished with a 51-23 edge in shots.

Briefly: Defenseman Brad Stuart is getting close, but missed his second straight game due to a lower-body injury that sidelined him for all preseason games. ... Phoenix backup goalie and ex-Shark Thomas Greiss was given a warm ovation when shown on the video board in the first period.

San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 10.06.2013

719827 San Jose Sharks

Sharks, Hertl finally get to Coyotes' Smith

Kevin Kurz

October 5, 2013, 11:15 pm

SAN JOSE – First two career NHL goals aside, Sharks rookie Tomas Hertl’s timing is impeccable.

Against a goaltender that has quite simply owned the Sharks over the last two years, it took Hertl less than a minute to flip a breakaway backhander past Mike Smith in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Phoenix at SAP Center.