Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (31-17-14, 76 points, 3rd place Metropolitan Division) @ Carolina Hurricanes (35-22-5, 75 points, 5th place Atlantic Division)
Pittsburg, PA
Poor air quality and bad smells consume parts of Pittsburgh area
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Parts of Western Pennsylvania are experiencing poor air quality due to temperature inversions increasing ground-level ozone, and it’s been stinky outside because of high hydrogen sulfide levels.
Multiple things are happening in the air at once, and it’s keeping people who care about air quality very busy this week. The Breathe Project and the Group Against Smog and Pollution are asking how can it be prevented in the future.
“We have different types of pollution happening simultaneously right now,” said Matthew Mehalik, executive director of the Breathe Project.
Over the past couple of days, the air quality hasn’t been great, and it has been smelly. H2S, hydrogen sulfide, is the stuff that smells like rotten eggs.
“Higher levels of emissions from our industrial facilities that release particles, and then part of those industrial processes, particularly in steelmaking and coke making, is the release of hydrogen sulfide,” Mehalik said.
Hydrogen sulfide exceeded the state’s 24-hour average standard in Allegheny County from Sunday through Monday. Mehalik said that’s now happened about 38 times in 2024.
Allegheny County’s Hydrogen Sulfide Dashboard for Liberty showed the highest levels in the last 12 months hit at 3 a.m. Monday.
“Those levels, in addition to the particles that came out at the same time, had our airshed as the number one worst airshed in the country,” Mehalik said.
On Tuesday, the SMELLPGH map was filled with dark red triangles, which are the highest-rated smell reports on the scale.
“It is a quality of life issue for people, especially as they are anywhere downwind of Clairton Coke Works. And so it keeps people awake at night,” said Patrick Campbell, executive director of Group Against Smog and Pollution.
Tuesday was also a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day with ozone above level 100. This type of pollution is most common in densely populated areas with more car exhaust and industrial air emissions.
Their advice for a code orange is to be aware, check the air quality levels and make changes to your day if you are in the sensitive group.
Mehalik said temperature inversions trap unhealthy air closer to the surface, and that also traps hydrogen sulfide.
“Because it’s a hot, humid air mass that traps these chemicals in the atmosphere that causes all of this,” he said.
“That’s why we get the stinky air that’s coming into the city up through the valley from steel facilities in the past day or two,” Mehalik added.
Mehalik and Campbell said the Allegheny County Health Department has been issuing violations and fines. But they said stronger actions may be needed, like requiring industrial facility upgrades, maintenance, and pollution control technologies.
“Those kinds of actions might actually begin to move the needle on preventing these kinds of experiences during inversions because inversions don’t create pollution. They just make it worse for you and I breathing here in Pittsburgh,” Campbell said.
“We’ve got to clean up these processes and hold the people who have the negative impact accountable, so they clean it up,” Mehalik said.
In the past, U.S. Steel has been fined for high-level exceedances of air emissions standards for hydrogen sulfide at Clairton Coke Works. On Tuesday, U.S. Steel sent KDKA-TV a statement about the recent air quality and H2S levels:
“The region experienced a temperature inversion during the early part of the week. U. S. Steel followed the episode response plan mandated by the Allegheny County Health Department, as it always does during inversions. Environmental excellence is a core part of everything we do, and we will continue to monitor atmospheric conditions and respond appropriately.”
Meanwhile, Allegheny County’s Air Pollution Control Advisory Committee has a meeting on Thursday night. It will focus on a proposal to increase permit fees for companies.
Pittsburg, PA
How Pittsburgh area drivers can save money on gas as prices rise during the war with Iran
Until the prices at the gas pump start to come down, we’re all looking for a way to trim our spending on fuel. The good news is that there are a number of ways to do that, and they just might be in your wallet or on your phone right now.
Whether it’s credit card reward programs or brand loyalty programs, finding a discount at the gas station is easier than you might think.
Most major gas stations either have loyalty programs or memberships that can save you money. There’s also the option of using AAA to find some savings.
On your phone, there are several apps and options that can save you money, like GasBuddy or Waze.
“The Auto Club app, which is our app, it actually will guide you toward the least expensive fuel in the area near you,” explained Jim Garrity of AAA East Central.
Both AAA and AARP have deals with Shell, where members can get five cents off a gallon.
Meanwhile, if you’re getting your shopping done at one of the warehouse, wholesale stores such as Sam’s Club, BJ’s, or Costco, part of your membership is a gas discount, which is usually at least 10 cents cheaper.
Even if you aren’t a member of one of these wholesale stores, many grocery stores have rewards programs that can get you a discount at gas stations.
Garrity said there are also things you can do behind the wheel that can save you money on gas, starting with slowing down.
“Essentially, for every five miles over 50 miles an hour you’re driving, we found that you’re decreasing your fuel economy exponentially,” he explained.
He also said that drivers should avoid jack rabbit starts – basically pushing down on the gas pedal instead of easing off the brake and putting slight pressure on the gas pedal. Drivers also should make sure that they’re keeping up with regular maintenance.
“They save up pennies that over time really add up,” he said.
Obviously, changing your driving habits is hard, especially because you don’t see immediate results, and that can lead to frustration.
Using those memberships, rewards programs, and discount resources, that’s real money and more immediate.
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers Add Year to Cam Heyward’s Contract, Creating Cap Space
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have some clarity on Cameron Heyward’s short-term future with the team.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, the Steelers have added an extra year to Heyward’s deal. As a result, they freed up right around $5.5 million in cap space.
SOURCES: The Steelers have added a year to DE Cam Heyward’s contract, creating nearly $5.5 million in cap space. His new deal is worth $32.25 million over two years with the first year guaranteed.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 10, 2026
Heyward’s contract is now worth $32.25 million across two seasons, though only the first of those two years is guaranteed.
The reigning second-team All-Pro previously had one year left on his contract, which carried a cap hit of $19.150 million.
Heyward’s deal was a source of contention during training camp last summer, as the 15-year veteran looked to negotiate his contract after previously having agreed to a two-year, $29 million extension leading into the 2024 campaign.
The 36-year-old, who was a first-team All-Pro that year, later compromised with Pittsburgh after it added a little over $3 million in incentives to his contract before Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Over 17 games, Heyward recorded a total of 3.5 sacks and 78 tackles with a forced fumble.
With it appearing set in stone that he’ll return for the 2026 season after agreeing to his modified deal, the question now becomes whether or not Heyward will play out the duration of his contract through 2027.
What Could Steelers Do with Extra Money?
Pittsburgh was rather active both shortly before and immediately after the legal tampering period began, re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and linebacker Cole Holcomb while also signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner Jamel Dean and acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. via trade from the Indianapolis Colts, whom it immediately inked to a three-year, $59 million extension.
It’s been a bit quiet for the Steelers since that initial wave, however, with punter Cameron Johnston representing their only move on the second day of free agency.
There’s still plenty of names out there on the open market, and with needs remaining along the offensive line, at safety and receiver even after adding Pittman Jr., the action shouldn’t stop for Pittsburgh.
While quarterback remains the most substantial question mark for the Steelers on paper, the widespread assumption remains that Aaron Rodgers will eventually return to the franchise. When that decision will, or could, become official, though, is anyone’s best guess at the moment.
The money Pittsburgh saved by revising Heyward’s contract could help fill out its roster not only through free agency, but also via the 2026 NFL Draft now that it has 12 picks at its disposal upon being awarded four compensatory selections.
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Pittsburg, PA
Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Carolina Hurricanes 3/10/2026
How to Watch: Local broadcasts on FanDuel Sports Network South and SportsNet Pittsburgh, streaming on ESPN+
Pens’ Path Ahead: The Penguins are heading out West later this week to play some late-night games against the Vegas Golden Knights (Thursday, 10 p.m. ET), Utah Mammoth (Saturday, 9 p.m. ET) and Colorado Avalanche (Monday, 9:30 p.m. ET). Then it’s back for a rematch with the Hurricanes in North Carolina next Wednesday.
Opponent Track: The Hurricanes are still on top of the Metro, and they’ve won seven of their last nine, but they’re coming off a loss in Calgary that featured a wild five-goal third period last Saturday.
Season Series: The Penguins won this last matchup 5-1 on Dec. 30. Next up is that road game next Wednesday, followed four days later by a 3 p.m. ET Sunday matinee in Pittsburgh.
Hidden Stat: The Penguins haven’t won in Carolina since March 2019. The visitors are 0-4-4 in eight matchups over that span.
Getting to know the Hurricanes
Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake
Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook
William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson
Jaccob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker
Mike Reilly – Alexander Nikishin
Goalies: Brandon Bussi, Frederik Andersen
Potential scratches: Shayne Gostisbehere (day to day)
Injured Reserve: Charles-Alexis Legault, Pyotr Kochetkov, Nicolas Deslauriers
- Gostisbehere missed the Hurricanes’ Saturday loss to the Flames with a lower-body injury. Mike Reilly will likely slide out of this lineup if he is able to go.
- Nicolas Deslauriers has yet to make his Hurricanes debut since his trade from the Philadelphia Flyers. If the Canes decide to slot him into the lineup Monday night, he would slot into their fourth line.
- The Hurricanes have historically been a tough matchup for the Pens, but the Penguins could take some lessons from the Flames. Calgary got beaten on face-offs (52.5 percent to 47.5 percent) and 5-on-5 scoring chances (24 to 21) while holding strong on hits (26-20) and getting some nice saves from Dustin Wolf to claim a 5-4 win over the Canes on Saturday.

Egor Chinakhov – Rickard Rakell – Bryan Rust
Anthony Mantha – Tommy Novak – Ville Koivunen
Elmer Soderblom – Ben Kindel – Avery Hayes
Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari
Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard / Ilya Solovyov
Goalies: Arturs Silovs, Stuart Skinner
Potential Scratches: Evgeni Malkin (suspended), Ryan Graves, Connor Clifton, Kevin Hayes, Justin Brazeau (day to day)
IR: Sidney Crosby, Filip Hallander
- Jack St. Ivany is off IR. He’s headed to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning loan, per Seth Rorabaugh.
- Justin Breazeau’s status is uncertain after he was sidelined against the Bruins on Sunday with a day-to-day upper-body injury.
- Today should also lead to more information on whether Sidney Crosby is joining the team for the upcoming five-game road trip. Dane Muse said Sunday that decision would be made after the matchup against the Boston Bruins.
- Evgeni Malkin is set to miss the third game of his five-game suspension tonight. He won’t be eligible to return until the Penguins rematch against the Hurricanes next week.
- It’s a milestone game for Kyle Dubas, who has served as general manager for 600 career games, per Pens PR. A win tonight would tie him with Steve Yzerman for the 14th-most wins through that milestone with 326 victories.
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