In October 2023, the Pittsburgh Penguins found themselves in a bit of a slump. They wrapped it up with a less-than-stellar 3-6-0 record, landing in 8th place in the Metropolitan Division.
Talk about missed opportunities! Game after game, different parts of the roster took turns dropping the puck—literally and figuratively. But hey, let’s not dwell on the gloom. Starting this month, we’re rolling out a monthly Top 3 Goals feature that’s sure to lift your spirits. While October had its cringe moments, it also served up some jaw-dropping goals. And get this: Starting in November, we’re making it interactive. We’ll be polling you fine folks on Facebook and Twitter to help us pick the goals that make the cut. So hit that follow button and get ready to join the debates.
Now that we’ve cleared the ice, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: October 2023’s Top 3 Goals.
3. Sid’s First Goal of the Penguins 2023-24 Season
The Penguins kicked off their season against the Chicago Blackhawks and their hotshot rookie, Connor Bedard. Now, get this: Sid “The Kid” Crosby, entering his 19th NHL season like a boss, fired off his first goal of the season in the 2nd period. The Pens were already up 1-0, and Crosby’s laser of a goal came courtesy of a slick give-and-go with Jake Guentzel. Nothing screams “leadership” like a net-buster from your Captain. Unfortunately, the Pens couldn’t hold the fort and ended up losing 4-2.
But hey, that goal from Sid? Pure eye candy.
2. Reilly Smith and Malkin Put Calgary’s Flame Out
Reilly Smith has been a game-changer for the Pens, and pairing him with Malkin? That’s like putting ketchup on fries—a match made in hockey heaven. Seriously, these two are the brightest stars in the Pens’ roster right now. In my book, they’re the life preservers keeping this team from sinking into the abyss. Case in point: Smith’s killer goal against the Calgary Flames. Picture this: It’s the 3rd period, game’s tied, and Geno dishes the puck to Smith, who slots it home like he’s playing a game of cornhole. That goal was the spark that lit the fire, propelling the Pens to a 5-2 win and snuffing out Calgary’s flame.
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1. Malkin’s Tying Goal Fresh Out the Sin Bin
And now, drumroll, please… Number 1 on our list is none other than Evgeni Malkin, pulling a Houdini act straight out of the penalty box against the St. Louis Blues. The setup? A heads-up play from Letang, who launched the puck down the ice like he was firing a cannon. Geno, fresh out of the sin bin, found himself in a one-on-one showdown with Blues goalie Jordan Binnington. And you guessed it—Geno buried it, tying the game at 1-1 as the 1st-period clock ticked down. The whole sequence was a Picasso in skates, even if the Pens ultimately fell 4-2.
And there you have it—our Top 3 Goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins in October 2023. It wasn’t the start we’d hoped for, but November offers a fresh sheet of ice. Circle November 4th on your calendars, folks. That’s when the Pens square off against the San Jose Sharks, and Erik Karlsson returns to challenge his old mates. Will he earn a highlight reel spot in our November Top 3 Goals? Let’s sure hope so!