Defenseman Brooks Orpik, who has not played since Nov. 10 because of an unspecified injury, plans to return to the Penguins' lineup when they face Atlanta at Philips Arena Saturday night. (Today)
Fred Chartrand/Associated Press/Canadian Press
Senators forward Chris Neil fights with Penguins forward Eric Goddard during the third period of last night's game in Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.
OTTAWA -- The early news for the Penguins was pretty good. Likely could not have been any better. After all, Sergei Gonchar and Max Talbot were back in the lineup. Mark Eaton was able to play. (Today)
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
Ben Roethlisberger and Bruce Arians have taken a lot of heat from fans for the Steelers' lack of scoring against the Bengals.
It is bounce-back time for Big Ben, his coach says, and that often means trouble for an opposing defense. (Today)
Bill Wade/Post-Gazette
Neal Huntington, taking a wait-and-see approach
The Pirates enter the opening of free-agent season today as patient, prudent investors in pursuit of a bat and bullpen arms. (Today)
The Pirates this afternoon cut loose starter-reliever Jeff Karstens and officially added hard-throwing reliever Ramon Aguero, outfielder Gorkys Hernandez plus starters Brad Lincoln and Bryan Morris to their 40-man roster, thus protecting those minor leaguers from being exposed for other teams to choose in the Rule 5 draft Dec. 10. (Today)