Penguins need to pick up the pace

Crosby – 'We’ve got to start grabbing some points here'
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby Photo credit © Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Penguins are just 14 games into an 82-game season but seeing as – after tonight – 9 of the next 11 games are on the road there is a certain sense of urgency going into tonight’s game against Buffalo at PPG Paints Arena.

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If you don’t believe me, listen to the captain. “I think we know the situation,” Sidney Crosby said after the morning skate. “We feel like we have to find some desperation and urgency just being in the situation we’re in. We’ve been fighting here since Game One whether it’s injuries or the virus so I think there’s excitement knowing we’ve got a full group but we also know we have some work to do.”

After starting 3-0-2 and taking 8 points in first 5 games, the Penguins have picked up just 6 points in the last 9. Only 5 teams – Montreal, Ottawa, Chicago, Arizona and expansion Seattle - have fewer then the Pens’ 5 wins. Worse for Crosby, he really hasn’t been able to do much about it, missing the first 7 games after off-season wrist surgery then getting a positive Covid test after the first game he was finally able to play.

“It wasn’t fun,” Sid says. “I don’t think it’s ever fun for anybody having to do that. With the timing, being excited to start back and get a positive test it was tough but I’ll move by it and am excited to get back here.”

“It’s not a typical thing where you sit around for ten days and jump on the ice,” Crosby continued. “Typically, even when you’re hurt, you’re kind of building, ramping up to get ready so it’s totally something new that you have to figure out along the way. I didn’t expect to feel great and I didn’t but I’m glad that I was finally able to get back into one.”

Sunday’s 6-1 loss in DC wasn’t fun for anyone and Sid’s stat line reflected it – 0 points on just 1 shot in 20 shifts and 17 minutes all less than normal but he should be better tonight. “Physically, I feel really good,” he said. “I just want to get in games here and get some timing and feeling normal; I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Crosby’s said it will help if he’s able to catch up to his linemates, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust. “They’ve played a good chunk of hockey here so it will be up to me to get up to speed and making sure I do what I need to do,” he explained. “As a line we’re comfortable with each other and we know what to expect but personally I need to get my game to a certain level and I need to do that pretty quick.

“It’s not all going to come back in one game but I think we all know we’ve got to start grabbing some points here.”

Notes

Mike Sullivan says that Crosby and Brian Dumoulin have been cleared to play in Montreal Thursday night but he has not yet been cleared to coach under Canadian Covid protocols.

The Pens’ 41 goals is tied for 19th. The 46 goals against is tied for 24th after taking a 12 goal hit over the weekend, giving up 6 goals against both Ottawa and Washington.

After a somewat surprisingly strong start, the Sabres are just 1-5-1 over their last 7 and have given up 5 goals in 4 of their 5 regulation losses.

3 straight games - 9 of the next 11 - on the road …

Featured Image Photo Credit: © Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports