head coach: Kevin Constantine

roster: C - Ron Francis, Martin Straka, Stu Barnes, C. Ferraro, Tyler Wright, Robert Lang. LW - Andreas Johansson, P. Ferraro, Alex Hicks, Garry Valk. RW - Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Morozov, Ed Olczyk, Robby Brown. D - Darius Kasparaitis, Kevin Hatcher, Chris Tamer, Fredrik Olausson, Neil Wilkinson, Ian Moran, Brad Werenka, Jiri Slegr. G - Tom Barrasso, Ken Wregget, Peter Skudra.

injuries: Eddie Olczyk, rw (busted face, indefinite), Martin Straka, c (broken foot, 1-2 weeks).

transactions: Assigned Robert Dome, lw, to Syracuse (AHL).

standings:

Eastern Conference - Northeast Division
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA
Montreal     46  24  16   6    54  136  109  
Pittsburgh   45  23  14   8    54  125  104  
Boston       44  20  16   8    48  111  106  
Ottawa       46  19  20   7    45  111  111  
Carolina     46  17  23   6    40  116  129  
Buffalo      43  15  20   8    38  101  114  

game results:

12/16 Tampa Bay              T 1-1
12/19 at Colorado            T 3-3
12/20 at St. Louis           L 4-1
12/26 at Washington          W 4-1
12/27 Montreal               L 1-0
12/29 New York Islanders     W 5-1
12/31 Carolina               W 3-2
01/03 Colorado               L 5-4 OT
01/06 at New York Islanders  W 4-2
01/07 at New Jersey          L 3-1
01/10 New Jersey             W 4-1

team news:

by Brett Taylor, Pittsburgh Correspondent

Pens Beat New Jersey:Stu Barnes scored a natural hat trick in the second period to lead the Penguins past the New Jersey Devils last Saturday night. The win marked the first time the Pens were able to beat any of what Pens' coach Kevin Constantine calls "first tier teams," namely New Jersey, Colorado, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Dallas.

However, that win will have to be one of many more if the Pens aspire to join that elite club. Before Saturday, the Pens only managed to gain ties against Colorado and Detroit. The Pens are 1-5-2 against teams who are ahead of them in the standings right now.

Overtime loss to Colorado: The Pens showed a lot of tenacity when they came back from a 4-1 third-period deficit against the most talented team on the third rock from the sun, namely the Colorado Avalanche.

The Pens looked strong early when they trapped well and broke out exceptionally well, but the force of Colorado was just too much for the Pens' defense. Two goals by Valeri Kamensky, a highlight film goal by Joe Sakic and another by Stephane Yelle gave Colorado a 4-1 lead going to the third period.

After a strong pep-talk from Constantine, the Pens capitalized on a little Colorado laziness in the third period getting goals from Jaromir Jagr, Robert Dome and the tying goal on the rush from Darius Kasparaitis. But the most impressive stat was the Pens' defensive domination of Colorado in the third period. The Pens outshot the Avalanche 15-1 in the third and 31-14 for the game.

Colorado didn't take long before grabbing the game back from the Pens in overtime. Kamensky scored his third goal of the game on a pass across the crease from Alexei Gusarov to give the 'Lanche the win in overtime, 5-4.

Jaromir Jagr makes the top 50 all-time: The Hockey News polled 50 hockey experts to find the top 50 NHL players of all time. Jaromir Jagr was number 37.

Members of the 50-member panel included Boston Bruins GM Harry Sinden, Edmonton Oilers GM Glen Sather, Detroit Red Wings Coach Scotty Bowman, and broadcasters Don Cherry and John Davidson.

At age 25, Jagr is the youngest player on the list. He is one of only eight active players named. Others include Wayne Gretzky (#1), Mark Messier (#12), Ray Bourque (#14), Paul Coffey (#28), Patrick Roy (#35), Chris Chelios (#40) and Jari Kurri (#50).

Hall of Fame Penguin Mario Lemieux was ranked 4th behind Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe. Maurice "Rocket" Richard was fifth.

Jagr and Lemieux are joined on the list by former Penguins Coffey, Bryan Trottier and Syl Apps.

Jagr has one thing in his favor, he is so young that he will undoubtedly move up a lot further in the list.

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