Now through seven games of action, the Pittsburgh Penguins are right in the mushy middle. They're lucky their division doesn't appear to be the strongest in the league, otherwise they would be on a sinking ship early in the season. Their latest debacle against the Chicago Blackhawks should be a sobering moment for the team.
If they can't dominate a rebuilding team like Chicago, then the Penguins have plenty to worry about moving forward.
Once again, they looked like a hockey team out of sync and without a care in the world to hit the ice. It's unknown why it is taking them so long to gel, but it has become a massive concern. Although this was a game to forget, at least Sidney Crosby finally showed up on the score sheet. That being said, there were a handful of problems that came up, and it's tough to see many bright spots.
Sidney Crosby shines while Sergei Murashov and the Pittsburgh Penguins season is now in limbo
Winner: Sidney Crosby
It was nice to see Crosby finally sink not only one, but two goals in this game. Hopefully that will end his early season spell that he has been working through. He had a solid enough game against Chicago, but it's too bad the others around him didn't support his outing. The outcome of this game could end up not mattering if it means Sidney Crosby is finally back to help lift the Penguins.
Winner: Nick Robertson
No matter where Pittsburgh puts him in the lineup, Nick Robertson has been able to find ways to score goals.
He now has four on the early campaign after getting one against the Blackhawks. It's somewhat insane that he hasn't received more chances on a higher line thus far. Robertson has continued to prove he can get pucks to the back of the net, but the Penguins refuse to give him chances after failing to work with Crosby.
Loser: Sergei Murashov
With a young goaltender, you cannot expect them to have great games during their first full-time stint in the NHL. Although he wasn't their worst player on the ice, Sergei Murashov was critical when it came to Pittsburgh losing this battle. The young goalie had his worst game of the season, but that was also aided by the poor play in front of him. There is no reason to fret about Murashov yet.
Loser: Declan Carlile
That was a bad game by Declan Carlile. After a solid start to the schedule, it seems that the defender is starting to show some warts to his game. The Penguins want him to play a specific role, and he has done well for the most part, but things unraveled in this one. Pittsburgh has no choice but to put blind faith in Carlile as they have few options to replace him. It's a performance to monitor going forward.
Loser: Ville Koivunen
After signing Ville Koivunen to his massive contract extension, the Penguins have to give him a run in the NHL to see what he can provide.
Other than missed assignments and his shots getting blocked routinely, Koivunen isn't doing much on the ice. It might be time for the lineup to change and one of their other log jammed forwards to get a shot. Koivunen is showing why his contract extension might've been the worst move of the Kyle Dubas era.
Loser: Egor Chinakhov
Expectations are high for Egor Chinakhov this season after his breakout with the Penguins last year. It's been a rough start to the season, and if he doesn't start to score goals, many will worry. Sometimes goal scorers go in a funk, and hopefully Evgeni Malkin and Tommy Novak can get their linemate out of it.
Pittsburgh needs Chinakhov to return to an elite level if they want a shot at the playoffs.
Loser: Penguins chances of getting out of mediocrity
Losing games like they did against Chicago exposes the Penguins as nothing more than a mediocre team. They will win some games that surprise you like they did against Dallas, but then they'll struggle against a rebuilding team like Chicago on another night. Pittsburgh's roster is too inconsistent and jumbled right now. They are on a clear path to the mushy middle where no one wants to be.
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