The Penguins’ first game of the season was a disaster, losing 6-0 to the Rangers. New York dominated every aspect of the match, leaving Pittsburgh with many questions about their team.
While it’s just one game, old worries from last season have resurfaced. The Rangers were on fire, outshooting Pittsburgh 41-29 and winning more faceoffs. They even blocked twice as many shots as the Penguins did. Chris Kreider scored two goals, and Igor Shesterkin achieved his first shutout by stopping all 29 shots.
Sidney Crosby recently signed a two-year extension for $8.7M annually, ensuring he stays with the team until 2026-27. Fans might wonder if Crosby can lead his team to another Stanley Cup victory before retiring . Despite being one of hockey’s greats with 42 goals and 94 points last year, questions remain about whether there’s enough support around him.
Challenges Facing the Penguins:
Evgeni Malkin seems slower than before and ended up with a -3 rating in this game against the Rangers. Defense and goaltending are major concerns; Kris Letang needs to step up defensively at this stage in his career, while Erik Karlsson must return to form after dropping from 101 points to just 56 last season.
Tristan Jarry is another big question mark for Pittsburgh. After struggling last season with a GAA of 2.91 and a record of 19-25-5, he had a rough start against New York by letting in weak goals despite some defensive lapses ahead of him.
Fans might feel anxious about what lies ahead for their beloved team this year—can they turn things around? What do you think will happen next?
