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.

Facing what was arguably a must-win game for all intents and purposes, the Anaheim Ducks cruised to a dominant victory Thursday night over Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In Pittsburgh's first trip to Utah, the captain gave the crowd something to remember with a patented backhand goal.

ANAHEIM -- Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn each scored two goals for the Anaheim Ducks in a 5-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Honda Center on Thursday. Frank Vatrano also scored, and Troy Terry and Jacob Trouba each had two assists for the Ducks (19-23-6), who had lost four straight (0-3-1). John Gibson made 31 saves.

Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn end their scoring slumps with two goals apiece, John Gibson makes 31 saves and the Ducks snap a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win.

A disastrous second period that saw three goals allowed in less than seven minutes thwarted the Seattle Kraken in a 6-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

Every time trade talks involve the Colorado Avalanche, Crosby’s name arises. His friendship with fellow Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon has made some people believe a Crosby trade to Colorado is a foregone conclusion. Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney have made quite the post-playing careers for themselves. When they speak, the hockey world hears it.

The Pittsburgh Penguins this week headed out for the West Coast portion of their season-long road trip with, at least at first, mixed results. A win that could serve as a template for how to play. Then a loss that left the Penguins perhaps wanting to throw away the game tape.

Forward Bryan Rust left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return as Penguins failed to muster any offense

Our updated fantasy hockey rankings sees movement in the top 250, with Nikita Kucherov and Auston Matthews battling for the top spot.

It was a tough night for the Penguins on Thursday in Anaheim. Not only were they unable to carry over the momentum from Monday’s win over Los Angeles – they lost winger Bryan Rust late in the second period.

Pittsburgh starts off strong with the first seven shots of the game but can’t crack John Gibson to score. Then an invisible switch flips and it’s Anaheim who get