The Pittsburgh Sports Notebook - 10/16

Sid's Offensive Pace Through 6 Gms Is Mind Blowing

Time to open up the old Pittsburgh Sports Notebook.  Alot of news today for the Penguins and Steelers, and don't worry, I'll find SOMETHING for the Pirates fans out there...

STEELERS
- The Steelers start a rare string of 4:00 - 4:25 games on Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens travel to Heinz Field in a huge AFC North tilt.  After this game the Steelers play at 4:00 in Oakland, and again at 4:25 in Foxboro against the Patriots.

- No lineup changes have been made as of yet for the game on Sunday.  Look to see William Gay starting at CB with Cortez Allen in sub and nickel packages.  Also, Cam Heyward will get the nod, but Ziggy Hood might be starting along side Heyward if Keisel is held out due to a rib injury.

- The big debate will be whether Kelvin Beachum remains the starter at LT or if Mike Adams will return to that role upon him being "active" again.  My guess is Beachum starts at LT until proven otherwise.

- With Levi Brown and David Johnson both being sent to IR, the Steelers signed TE Richard Gordon and promoted CB Isaiah Green from the practice squad.

- In breaking news, Mike Tomlin made the 2013 Baltimore Ravens sound like the mid-90s 49er offense and the defense sound like the '85 Bears.

PENGUINS
- Beau Bennett and Kris Letang were both out of the lineup for last night's 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.  Status of their injuries is still considered "day to day".

- James Neal was placed on the IR, but is retroactive...not radioactive...retroactive.

- Marc Andre Fleury kept his perfect record in tact by winning his 5th start last night.  Fleury's 5 wins is second only to San Jose's Antti Niemi, who has 6.

- Sidney Crosby's 3 assists last night propelled him into the NHL Lead in points.  Crosby's 12 points gives him a 2 point lead over Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis and a 3 point lead over arch nemesis, Alex Ovechkin.

- The Penguins gear up for a Metropolitan Division grudge match as the team travels to Philadelphia to face the Flyers for the first time this season.  Philadelphia is 1-6 and has a -10 goal differential and a 1-3 record on home ice this season.

- Pittsburgh's 3.83 Goals For Per Game ranks 3rd in the NHL, behind only San Jose (5.00) and St. Louis (4.20).

- The Penguins' Power Play ranks 2nd in the NHL in terms of efficiency.  The group is 6-17 with a 35.3% that ranks only behind the Washington Capitals who boast a 8-22 36.4% efficiency.

- As good as the Penguins' Power Play is, the Penguins Penalty Kill is just as bad.  The Pens' PK ranks 21st in the NHL giving up 6-17 chances for a 35.3%...sounds familiar.

PIRATES
- I still refuse to watch baseball...Hate seeing the Cardinals on the verge of going to the World Series when the Pirates were on the verge of sending them home.

- Pirates prized pitching prospect, Jameson Taillon, was removed from his Fall League roster due to a "tweaked" groin muscle.  Taillon is being shut down for the Fall League season to ensure he is healthy for Spring Training.  Phil "Don't Call Me Hale" Irwin replaces Taillon on the roster.