— A 1-2-0 record is preferable to having no wins at all, and a road victory against Detroit has lightened the mood and extended the timeframe for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have seven players yet to reach 30 games with the team.
Nonetheless, the newcomers are not being blamed for the team’s performance, and there’s no sense that they need time to develop chemistry. A bond has already been established, highlighted by Anthony Beauvillier scoring two goals against Detroit and creating offensive opportunities alongside Sidney Crosby. “I believe it’s a work in progress and a game of momentum. We need to maintain it more consistently than we have thus far,” coach Mike Sullivan remarked following the Penguins’ 4-2 defeat in Toronto. “Our first game wasn’t our best. In the second game, we played quite well against a strong offensive team in Detroit. The focus is on achieving more consistent gameplay and balancing our line rotations.”
While three games is not enough to assess long-term prospects, it sets the stage for pivotal upcoming matches against Montreal, followed by crucial games against the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference.
A 1-2-0 start is not alarming, but failing to earn at least five points in the first five games could raise concerns. The Penguins struggled last season, leading to a significant deficit in the standings. Players, too, have noted the necessity for a better start this time around.
There’s both praise and areas needing improvement to analyze.
**Penguins Players on the Rise**
Kevin Hayes
If you were worried about the Penguins signing a $3.5 million player who didn’t see much action with St. Louis last season, your worries might be unfounded. Hayes has been a pleasant surprise, filling the role of a fourth-line wing without being overburdened by expectations. His playmaking skills have contributed offensively, and he has emerged as a key penalty killer, adequately replacing Jeff Carter after his retirement and performing even better.
Joel Blomqvist
Blomqvist has been outstanding. He was regarded as a top performer last January, and although his preseason performance was unimpressive, he proved himself in both Detroit and Toronto. His save percentage is only .906, but his actual performances tell a different story, raising questions about the future of one of the veteran goalies in front of him.
Evgeni Malkin
Malkin has been performing well, demonstrating that some extra summer training has paid off. He’s displayed his skill set with effective puck distribution and fewer turnovers, tallying four assists in three games.
Anthony Beauvillier
With two goals and a prominent role on the top line, Beauvillier is thriving after last season’s instability. “He aids in puck pursuit and forcing turnovers from defensemen,” Sullivan noted. “When he gets the puck, his offensive instincts allow him to take advantage of the chances that Sid creates.”
Marcus Pettersson
Pettersson has not had a great start, struggling with turnovers and defensive zone challenges. While it’s uncommon for him to have back-to-back poor performances, his current play may not yet be cause for alarm.
Tristan Jarry
Although Sullivan may feel we’re overanalyzing the goalie situation, he opted to start another goalie over Jarry, the presumed starter. Jarry’s initial performance was lackluster, and without further play since then, it’s difficult to evaluate his standing. His stock has notably dropped since Blomqvist was chosen over him for the recent game.
**Players Who Are Struggling**
Rutger McGroarty
With no points across three games, McGroarty has been rather unnoticeable. Sullivan might consider altering his position in the lineup to reignite the rookie’s performance, given his preseason promise hasn’t translated into regular-season success, and the urgency for improvement is necessary.
