The Pittsburgh Penguins and perhaps Rickard Rakell got some good news since Sunday. Rakell left the team sometime after the loss on Saturday to the Washington Capitals to return to Pittsburgh and tend to a family matter.

Anaheim Ducks (18-23-6, 42 points, 7th place Pacific Division) When: 10:00 p.m. ET How to Watch: Broadcasting on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and KCOP-13 and in the local markets, streaming nationally on ESPN+ Pens’ Path Ahead: The Pens start a rhythm today of playing every other day through the end of their road trip.

Many of the Penguins think the spark Nedeljkovic provides on and off the ice might be just what they need to make a postseason push.

The Edmonton Oilers would be wise to call the Pittsburgh Penguins for a trade over the next two months. Oilers GM Stan Bowman will be busy working the phones as the NHL trade deadline approaches. The team sits third in the Western Conference and is once again expected to make a healthy run at the Stanley Cup.

According to Preston Hodgkinson of Daily Hive, “If the Oilers want a “Mattias Ekholm-type addition” this season, their best bet will be 28-year-old Marcus Pettersson.” Hodgkinson wrote this on Wednesday when he looked at the Pittsburgh Penguins as a strong fit for a trade partner ahead of this season’s trade deadline.

Unfortunately for Penguins fans, a fire sale might be the best way to go. They've missed the playoffs the past two years, and this season, they're on the outside looking in. Recent moves by general manager Kyle Dubas also haven't worked out.

Dubas however has other trade chips available in pending unrestricted free agents like Anthony Beauvillier and Marcus Pettersson, but there is a sense that all players except for Crosby and Geno are being considered.

Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins are still on the fringes of playoff contention it still seems to be a foregone conclusion on what they are going to do in advance of the March 7 NHL trade deadline.

Even if the Penguins go on an outrageous hot streak, I still fully anticipate Dubas to sell at the deadline. He knows what he has to do. He’s not in this to grab the second wild card and lose in the first round. Dubas’ vision is much more grand than that. The problem is that fans might need to find some patience.

Not just pending free agents, but all big name players in play.

Pittsburgh played its most complete, four-line effort of the season against a stingy defensive team in Los Angeles

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic unofficially made 25 saves on 26 shots in a 5-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Monday. The result boosted Nedel