Pittsburgh Penguins: 4 Preseason Mistakes to Avoid

Sep 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing

(19) celebrates his game winning goal in the shootout with teammates on the bench after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Penguins won 1-0 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Avoid an Identity Crisis and be the Pittsburgh Penguins

There has been a common trend for the Penguins over the last few years. Simply put, they didn’t know exactly who they wanted to be. They were a team that tried to deploy a cast of grinders and unskilled forwards around all-world talents like Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, relying too heavily on a small group of players to carry the load offensively.

They wanted to be a tough team to play against but dug themselves too many holes with a combination of frustration and too many penalty minutes. They employed players like Steve Downie, only to find that it’s extremely difficult to contain his temper and inability to remain level-headed.

This season though, seems different. Jim Rutherford and the Pittsburgh Penguins have made it a point to match skill with skill, speed with speed and upside with upside. With Tom Sestito being the exception to the rule, the Pens are looking for a pack mentality for toughness and have focused on piling up goal totals rather than PIM. Now, can they stick to it?

Next: Don't Be Blinded by the Past