Pitt: The win at Syracuse likely righted Pitt's NCAA chances. But there is still little room for error (or losses) now. The Panthers -- 3-4 in February and tied for sixth place in the Big East -- finish the regular season with games at West Virginia (tonight in Morgantown) and at home against DePaul (Sunday).

Did you know: As of Feb. 29, bracketologists at espn.com had the Big East getting seven NCAA bids, CBS Sportsline listed eight and Bracketology 101 eight.

To watch: 7 p.m., ESPN.

Penguins: After a quick one-game "homestand," it's back to the road for the Penguins, who begin a three-game swing through the Southeast Division with a game at Tampa Bay. However, they are expected to be without newcomer Marian Hossa, whose right knee was sprained in his debut.

Did you know: Hossa has never finished a full season with a negative plus-minus rating. His lowest: +4 with Ottawa in 2003-04.

To watch: 7:30 p.m., FSN Pittsburgh.

Duquesne: The Dukes, 16-10 overall but just 6-7 in the league going into their game vs. Charlotte, enter the home stretch of the Atlantic 10 Conference season with a difficult road game at Temple, which is fighting for one of four first-round byes in the A-10 tournament that tips off March 12 in Atlantic City, N.J. The Dukes are in line for anywhere from a 6 to 10 seed.

Did you know: Temple didn't miss an NCAA tournament in the 1990s when John Chaney was at the top of his game, but has been to the dance only twice since then and not since 2001.

To listen: 7 p.m., KQV-AM (1410).

Is it too soon? It's March 6 -- 48 days since Sidney Crosby was injured. Expect anticipation of his return to intensify this week as the Penguins face the Florida Panthers and Crosby's six-to-eight week return window swings wide open.

Did you know: Crosby still finds himself in the top 20 in the NHL scoring race (63 points).

To watch: 7:30 p.m., FSN Pittsburgh.

Pirates: Only in spring training: the Pirates and Reds play a day-night, away/home exhibition doubleheader. They're at Sarasota in the afternoon, then return to McKechnie Field at night.

Did you know: A night game at McKechnie? This will be the first night game at McKechnie since lights were installed as part of renovations to the Pirates' spring home.

To listen: 7:05 p.m., WPGB-FM (104.7).

Ticket, please: Madness has officially arrived. The first three NCAA tournament bids go out with conference championship games in the Big South (11:30 a.m., ESPN2), Ohio Valley (5 p.m., ESPN2) and Atlantic Sun (7 p.m., ESPN2) scheduled.

Did you know: The Big East women's tournament also opens in Hartford, Conn. A recent four-game losing streak likely left Pitt to play in one of the day's four first-round games (TBA).

Malkin vs. Ovechkin: Yes, there are valuable team points to be won and playoff spots to be earned this month. But the NHL scoring race between Evgeni Malkin (84 points, first) and Washington's Alex Ovechkin (83, second) provides a sexy sub-plot to the Penguins-Capitals fray.

Did you know: Malkin's biggest-scoring period is the third (13 goals, 32 points); Ovechkin's is the second (16 goals, 31 points).

To watch: 12:30 p.m., WPXI.