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Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Minnesota Wild 3/9/2025

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Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Minnesota Wild 3/9/2025


Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (24-31-10, 58 points, 8th place Metropolitan Division) @ Minnesota Wild (36-23-4, 76 points, 4th place Central Division)

When: 3:30 p.m. ET

How to Watch: SN-PIT and TVAS for local markets, national on TNT, truTV and MAX

Pens’ Path Ahead: The Penguins return to Pittsburgh after this one for a weeklong homestand at PPG Paints Arena. Next up is the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, followed by meetings with the St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets.

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Opponent Track: The Wild, previously the third team in the Central, slipped down to a Wild Card spot after losing four of their last six games. Most recently, Minnesota dropped a 3-1 decision to the Canucks in Vancouver after former Penguin Teddy Blueger put the dagger into the empty net.

Season Series: The Penguins led early, but allowed four unanswered Wild goals in a 5-3 loss at home on Oct. 29.

Hidden Stat: The Penguins hold 30 total draft picks in the next three drafts, including an NHL-high 18 picks in the first three rounds, per Pens PR and team reporter Michelle Crechiolo.

Getting to know the Wild

Projected lines (from Friday’s game)

FORWARDS

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Marcus Johansson – Frederick Gaudreau – Mats Zuccarello

Gustav Nyquist – Ryan Hartman – Matt Boldy

Marcus Foligno – Marco Rossi – Vinnie Hinostroza

Yakov Trenin – Devin Shore – Justin Brazeau

DEFENSEMEN

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Jacob Middleton / Brock Faber

Declan Chisholm / Jared Spurgeon

Jon Merrill / Zach Bogosian

Goalies: Filip Gustavsson, Marc-Andre Fleury

Scratches: Brendan Gaunce, David Jircek, Jonas Brodin (injured)

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IR: Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek

  • Geurin said last week that Brodin is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. He left last Sunday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche after blocking a shot by Martin Necas.
  • The Wild indicated Saturday that Kirill Kaprizov could return before the end of the regular season, but he’ll likely be out for today.
  • Joel Eriksson Ek was placed on IR with a lower-body injury on Feb. 25. The Wild described his status as “week-to-week.”
  • Ryan Hartman recently returned to the lineup after serving out an eight-game suspension for hitting Tim Stutzle’s head into the ice.

Player stats

(via hockeydb)

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  • This could be the last time the Pens are facing an old friend in Marc-Andre Fleury, who is expected to start tonight for the Wild, per NHL.com’s Kevin Woodley. Fleury has previously said he will retire at the end of his 21st NHL season this spring.

“It’s always still weird when I play against them. Obviously I like to win against them to get a little bit of bragging rights, but they’ve been such great teammates and good friends and so it’s fun to cross paths.”

“You see guys every day for 12-14 years and then you don’t see them anymore pretty much, so it’s hard. It’s hard when that happens, right? But still, I always keep such a good memory and when we see each other, it feels like no time has passed, so it’s like back to our time there together.” —Fleury on Thursday about his final game against the Penguins, per Woodley

Trade deadline recap

It was a quiet trade deadline for the Wild.

After claiming Vinnie Hinostroza off waivers last month, the Wild added Gustav Nyquist and Justin Brazeau at the deadline.

The team meanwhile parted ways with Marat Khusnutdinov, Jakub Lauko and two 2026 picks draft picks.

Given that Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek are on the long-term injured reserve, the Wild had more than $9 million in LTIR space to make a move at the deadline.

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But general manager Bill Guerin noted at the deadline that the Wild are at a “different stage” than the Dallas Stars or Colorado Avalanche.

He also indicated the Wild are hoping to use the cap space on Kaprizov if the winger is able to return before the end of the regular season.

Here are some of Guerin’s comments about the Wild’s deadline moves, per The Athletic’s Michael Russo:

“Yeah, you want to be involved, but you know what? We’re just at a different stage than those teams. We’ll have our day, but it was the same thing this summer when you’re watching other teams load up. For some reason we still have to play the games. If we’re going by that, we might as well just pack our s— and go home. But I think we’ll show up and play the games and see how it checks out.”

“Did you see the prices on guys? I’m not here — and I’m not being a wiseass — I’m not here to make your trade deadline better. I’m running a business. I’m running a team. We have assets. Our time will come. This is not so you guys can write great stuff on trade deadline day and have an exciting day. We’ve had a plan going for four years. And I’m not going to screw that up just being shortsighted. That’s where I am.”

And now for the Pens

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Projected lines (from Saturday’s practice)

FORWARDS

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Rickard Rakell – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Kevin Hayes – Evgeni Malkin – Emil Bemstrom

Connor Dewar – Tommy Novak – Philip Tomasino

Boko Imama – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari

DEFENSEMEN

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Ryan Shea / Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk / Erik Karlsson

Vladislav Kolyachonok / Connor Timmins / Ryan Graves

Goalies: Alex Nedeljkovic, Tristan Jarry

Potential Scratches: Connor Timmins or Ryan Graves (?), Danton Heinen (?)

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Injured Reserve: P.O. Joseph (upper-body injury)

  • Trade deadline recap: the Pens parted ways with Michael Bunting, Vincent Desharnais, Anthony Beauvillier, Cody Glass and Jonathan Gruden, as well as briefly acquired and then flipped Luke Schenn. Into the roster comes winger Conor Timmins and defenseman Connor Dewar. Forwards Chase Stilman and Max Graham are off to the minors.
  • Kyle Dubas said there was “lots of interest” in Rickard Rakell at the deadline, but the Pens ultimately decided keeping the their leading goalscorer was in the team’s “best interest.”
  • It sounds like Rakell wasn’t so sure he was staying in Pittsburgh. He said Saturday that it had been a “stressful” last 24 hours, per Pens Inside Scoop’s Michelle Crechiolo.
  • Nickname update from Crechiolo:
  • Mike Sullivan is one win away from No. 400 in his career. Rakell is one goal away from No. 30 on the season.





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ICE arrests in Minnesota surge include numerous convicted child rapists, killers

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ICE arrests in Minnesota surge include numerous convicted child rapists, killers


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

FIRST ON FOX: ICE officials on Saturday released a shocking list of the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants arrested during their recent surge in the sanctuary state of Minnesota, including child rapists and nearly a dozen killers.

ICE told Fox News the criminal illegal immigrants were roaming freely in Minnesota prior to their recent arrest, and that they are the type of people Democratic politicians and activists are referring to as their “neighbors,” as they attempt to interfere with ICE.

“Regardless of staged political theatrics, ICE is going to continue to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota and elsewhere,” ICE director Todd M. Lyons wrote in a statement. “Some of these criminal aliens have had final orders of removal for 30 years, but they’ve been free to terrorize Minnesotans.”

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Anti-immigration enforcement agitators clash with federal law enforcement outside an ICE facility in Minneapolis, Minn. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)

AG PAM BONDI WARNS MINNESOTA PROTESTERS AFTER ICE SHOOTING: ‘DO NOT TEST OUR RESOLVE’

“ICE’s arrests prevent recidivism and make communities safer, but it feels like local politicians want to ignore that part and drum up discontent rather than protect their own constituents,” he continued.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reacted to the arrests on X Saturday, calling the convicts “sick people.”

“This is why we have ICE Agents,” Leavitt wrote in the post. “May God Bless them for their thankless work to protect American communities from these sick people.”

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a photo of a plane on X Saturday captioned, “Lawbreakers going wheels up in Minneapolis.”

Some of the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants arrested in Minnesota include:

Sriudorn Phaivan, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of strong-arm sodomy of a boy and strong-arm sodomy of a girl. (ICE)

Sriudorn Phaivan

Sriudorn Phaivan, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of strong-arm sodomy of a boy and strong-arm sodomy of a girl, another aggravated sex offense, nine counts of larceny, unauthorized use of a vehicle, four counts of fraud, vehicle theft, two counts of drug possession, obstructing justice, possession of stolen property, receiving stolen property, burglary and check forgery. 

He also has pending charges for two counts of receiving stolen property, flight to avoid prosecution or confinement and burglary.

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Phaivan has had a deportation order since 2018.

Tou Vang, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of sexual assault and sodomy of a girl under the age of 13, and procuring a child for prostitution. (ICE)

Tou Vang

Tou Vang, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of sexual assault and sodomy of a girl under the age of 13, and procuring a child for prostitution.

Vang has had a deportation order since 2006.

Chong Vue, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of the strong-arm rape of a 12-year-old girl, and kidnapping a child with intent to sexually assault her. (ICE)

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Chong Vue

Chong Vue, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of the strong-arm rape of a 12-year-old girl, and kidnapping a child with intent to sexually assault her.

Vue has had a deportation order since 2004.

ICE DIRECTOR FIRES BACK AT ‘SQUAD’ LAWMAKERS OVER ‘POLITICAL RHETORIC’ AFTER FATAL MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING

Ge Yang, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of strong-arm rape, aggravated assault with a weapon, and strangulation. (ICE)

Ge Yang

Ge Yang, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of strong-arm rape, aggravated assault with a weapon, and strangulation.

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Yang has had a deportation order since 2012.

Pao Choua Xiong, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of rape and child fondling. (ICE)

Pao Choua Xiong

Pao Choua Xiong, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of rape and child fondling.

Xiong has had a deportation order since 2003.

Kou Lor, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of rape, rape with a weapon, and sexual assault. (ICE)

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Kou Lor

Kou Lor, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of rape, rape with a weapon, and sexual assault.

Lor has had a deportation order since 1996.

Hernan Cortes-Valencia, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was ordered to leave the country in 2016 and has been convicted of sexual assault against a child, sexual assault-carnal abuse and four DUIs. (ICE)

Hernan Cortes-Valencia

Hernan Cortes-Valencia, a Mexican illegal immigrant, was convicted of sexual assault of a child and DUI.

Cortes-Valencia has had a deportation order since 2016.

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Abdirashid Adosh Elmi, a Somalian illegal immigrant, was convicted of homicide. (ICE)

Abdirashid Adosh Elmi

Abdirashid Adosh Elmi, a Somalian illegal immigrant, was convicted of homicide.

NOEM ALLEGES WOMAN KILLED IN ICE SHOOTING ‘STALKING AND IMPEDING’ AGENTS ALL DAY

Gilberto Salguero Landaverde, a criminal illegal immigrant from El Salvador, has been convicted of three counts of homicide. (ICE)

Gilberto Salguero Landaverde

Gilberto Salguero Landaverde, a Salvadoran illegal immigrant, was convicted of three counts of homicide.

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Landaverde has had a deportation order since June 2025.

Gabriel Figueroa Gama, a Mexican illegal immigrant, was convicted of homicide. (ICE)

Gabriel Figueroa Gama

Gabriel Figueroa Gama, a Mexican illegal immigrant, was convicted of homicide.

Gama was previously deported in 2002.

Galuak Michael Rotgai, a criminal illegal immigrant from Sudan, has been convicted of homicide and assault. (ICE)

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Galuak Michael Rotgai

Galuak Michael Rotgai, a Sudanese illegal immigrant, was convicted of homicide.

Thai Lor, a criminal illegal immigrant from Laos, has been convicted of two counts of homicide. (ICE)

Thai Lor

Thai Lor, a Laotian illegal immigrant, was convicted of two counts of homicide.

Lor has had a deportation order since 2009.

Mariama Sia Kanu, a criminal illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone, has been convicted of two counts of homicide, four DUIs, three counts of larceny and burglary. (ICE)

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Mariana Sia Kanu

Mariana Sia Kanu, an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone, was convicted of two counts of homicide.

Kanu has had a deportation order since 2022.

Aldrin Guerrero Munoz, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, has been convicted of homicide and assault.

Aldrin Guerrero Munoz

Aldrin Guerrero Munoz, a Mexican illegal immigrant, was convicted of homicide.

Munoz has had a deportation order since 2015.

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Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, a Somalian illegal immigrant, was convicted of manslaughter.

Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed

Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, a Somalian illegal immigrant, was convicted of manslaughter.

Ahmed has had a deportation order since 2022.

Mongong Kual Maniang Deng, a criminal illegal immigrant from Sudan, has been convicted of attempt to commit homicide, weapon possession and DUI.

Mongong Dual Maniang Deng

Mongong Dual Maniang Deng, a Sudanese illegal immigrant, was convicted of attempt to commit homicide, weapon possession and DUI.

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Aler Gomez Lucas, a criminal illegal immigrant from Guatemala, has been convicted of negligent homicide with a vehicle and DUI.

Aler Gomez Lucas

Aler Gomez Lucas, a Guatemalan illegal immigrant, was convicted of negligent homicide with a vehicle and DUI.

Lucas has had a deportation order since 2022.

Shwe Htoo, a criminal illegal immigrant from Burma, has been convicted of negligent homicide with a weapon. (ICE)

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Shwe Htoo

Shwe Htoo, a Burmese illegal immigrant, was convicted of negligent homicide.



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Tragedy in Minnesota, vaccine news, Snoop’s game call: Week in review

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Tragedy in Minnesota, vaccine news, Snoop’s game call: Week in review


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Childhood vaccine schedule gets lighter

Kids in the United States will now have four fewer recommended vaccines on their childhood vaccine schedule, the Department of Health and Human Services announced. The four vaccines are for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease and hepatitis A, which will now be considered a shared decision between parents and doctors. Insurers will continue covering the vaccines regardless of the category, the HHS said. The administration says the move aligns the U.S. vaccine schedule with that of other developed nations; public health experts say the decision puts children’s health at risk.

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Fraud scandal drags down Tim Walz

A bare-knuckles 2026 campaign season has barely begun, and it has already knocked out one high-profile candidate. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, dogged by a scandal that saw hundreds of millions of dollars in state Medicaid payouts exposed as possibly fraudulent, says he will not seek reelection. “I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election,” Walz, Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential campaign, said in a statement. Dozens of people in Minnesota have been charged with stealing taxpayer dollars in what the Justice Department called the “largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the country.”

I’ll have a sniff and a slice

Candle shoppers are still melting down over some of the offerings in Bath & Body Works’ “Perfect Pairings” collection − in particular, the Pizza & Ranch candle, which promises notes of “gooey cheese, crispy pepperonis and ranch.” The fragrance, released in December as one of the “fun and unexpected” fragrances for Candle Day 2025, brought reactions that border on the unprintable, including one that referenced a Diaper Genie pail. Other scents were Coffee & Donuts, Chips & Salsa and Popcorn & Slushie. As of Jan. 5, only the Chips & Salsa candle was available on the company’s website, and alas, there was no word on restocking.

The great Oscars countdown has begun

Roll out the red carpets and chill the champagne: Hollywood’s race for the Oscars kicked off Jan. 4 with the Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California, where “Sinners” and “Frankenstein” led the field with four wins each. “One Battle After Another” won best picture; for best actor and actress, Timothée Chalamet of “Marty Supreme” and Jessie Buckley of “Hamnet” took home the trophies. Next up on the watch list: the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11. Hollywood’s biggest night, the Academy Awards, comes March 15.

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Snoop goes unleashed in his NBA game call

Coaches clashing with officials is nothing new, but this brouhaha came with a Snoop Dogg play-by-play – and a rebuke from the coach’s mom. The coach was the Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr, who had to be restrained after he was ejected from the game in a dispute over a missed goaltending call against the LA Clippers. “Steve’s raining fire on them. Woo-hoo!” barked Snoop, a guest analyst for Peacock. “The Arizona Wildcat came out. … Rawr, rawr!” Later, Kerr said he was amused by Snoop’s call, but his mother, who was at the game, was “terribly disappointed in me.” − Compiled and written by Robert Abitbol



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Protests continue in the Triangle over ICE actions after Minnesota shooting incident

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Protests continue in the Triangle over ICE actions after Minnesota shooting incident


Protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are continuing across the Triangle this week, fueled by anger and fear after a woman was shot and killed during an immigration enforcement operation Wednesday in Minnesota.

Adali Abeldanez, owner of Moroleon Supermarket in Durham, said fear is impacting daily life and local businesses, including his own.

“People are still stressed and worried,” he said.

Abeldanez said he has seen a noticeable change in customer behavior since ICE operations intensified. While his store has offered delivery services for years, he noticed requests surged in November, when ICE was in the state, and have remained high.

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“That uptick in delivery – do you believe that’s directly tied to people’s fear about ICE?” WRAL asked Abeldanez.

“Oh yeah, for sure,” he said.

He said some store clients are afraid to leave their homes and are relying on organized deliveries instead. Abeldanez said his wife is undocumented and frightened, a feeling he said is widely shared in the immigrant community.

>> Q&A: NC lawyers warn immigrant communities to stay home amid enforcement sweeps in Raleigh

>> Do ICE agents have absolute immunity? No, experts say, but it’s not easy for a state to prosecute

Abeldanez believes ICE agents need more training and greater accountability.

“They’re dealing with people — human beings. It’s life,” he said. “The law should be enforced, but obviously with due process and taking into consideration humanity, being humane.”

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He also criticized what he described as racial profiling; he said agents approach people in public spaces based on appearance rather than targeted investigations.

“They should have some kind of plan to know where to go, who to look for, and not just randomly pick people,” Abeldanez said.

Despite his concerns, Abeldanez said he felt encouraged by this week’s protests, as long as they remain peaceful.

“As long as it’s something peaceful, I feel proud,” he said. “Seeing people protest in favor of protecting the immigrant community — I think that’s awesome.”

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But while both sides believe peaceful protesting is important, the divide is regarding ICE’s actions.

Matt Mercer, communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party, said the Minnesota shooting involved an agent acting in self-defense, citing video evidence and injuries the agent sustained.

“There’s a human element where someone loses their life, which you never want to see,” Mercer said. “But the video speaks for itself.”

Mercer said recent confrontations with ICE agents are not peaceful protests but attempts to obstruct federal law enforcement.

“If you wish to protest, do that in ways you can traditionally protest,” Mercer said. “Surrounding agents, obstructing vehicles or creating chaos is not legitimate protest.”

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The Minnesota incident remains under investigation. Meanwhile, protests in the Triangle are expected to continue, including one Friday night in Durham.



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