Scary Season is over, folks.
So, too, is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ six-game losing streak.
But while it’s tempting to look ahead at their next two games — home against the Canadiens tomorrow and on the road against the New York Islanders on Tuesday — and dream about a modest winning streak, I wouldn’t recommend it.
The Penguins (4-7-1) needed what we’ll call a Sidney Crosby Game to beat the Anaheim Ducks last night. And while the Ducks have intriguing young talent, nobody expects them to crash the playoffs.
I’m not trying to be a downer.
The Penguins have a long way to go if they want to convince anyone they’re a contender for the playoffs (11 percent chance) instead of the draft lottery.
Anyway, if you missed what went down against the Ducks — and judging by the attendance, you might’ve — Josh Yohe’s postgame observations have you covered.
A Rossi Rant
The Penguins sold 14,954 tickets for last night’s game, about 3,000 below capacity.
That’s not good. That’s not the worst part, either.
Eleven luxury suites sat dark and unused.
I’m not suggesting fans don’t care. The game earlier in the week was sold out. And last night’s game, against a rebuilding opponent from the Western Conference competing with weeknight Halloween festivities, was always going to be a tough sell.
The Penguins are off to a slog. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2022, haven’t won a series since 2018, and tickets, parking and concessions are expensive.
Aside from nostalgia, there isn’t much to entice people into PPG Paints Arena.
I don’t expect sub-15,000 crowds to be the norm this season. I also don’t expect many to-capacity crowds unless we see a dramatic on-ice turnaround — and fast.
Yinz say
A couple of days ago, I asked readers what the Penguins should do with Marcus Petterson, who is playing on an expiring contract.
Thanks to all for sharing their takes in the comments section. This one from Anthony L is worth highlighting:
“I would trade Petterson. Great player, but I doubt he is peaking after the rebuild starts. If you can’t figure out how to keep a legit top line winger in Guentzel, keeping a really good #3D with limited offensive upside seems silly.”
Don’t miss
• We’re all guilty of focusing only on our favorite team — or in my case, the one I cover — and that habit tends to cloud our perspective.
It’s worth pointing out that the Penguins aren’t the only team that struggled in October.
If you’d like to broaden your scope, check out this story from Shayna Goldman. Maybe you’ll feel better about the state of the Penguins.
Or maybe you’ll feel worse.
• Over the summer, I caught up with former Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, who took the Kraken’s AHL affiliate to the finals two years in a row before getting the call up to Seattle.
Chris Johnston recently chatted with a history-making member of Bylsma’s coaching staff, Jessica Campbell, who is the first woman to be a full-time assistant coach in the NHL
Most people talk about Campbell’s gender, but her age is equally notable. She’s 32, and having spoken with Bylsma about Campbell, I know he believes her age is advantageous in relating to younger players — and in being more comfortable with technology and analytics, unlike more, uh, seasoned coaches who tend to accept them more begrudgingly.
Touch passes
• Blake Lizotte made his season debut last night after suffering a concussion in a preseason game.
He took only eight shifts, all at even strength. Expect the Penguins to use him more, especially on the penalty kill, as he reacclimates.
• Vasily Ponomarev, also injured during camp, was assigned to the AHL. That’s a boost on a couple of fronts: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is dealing with many injuries, and Ponomarev looked more NHL-ready than any of the Penguins’ prospects in camp.
At first glance, the Penguins don’t need or have room for another center. But if Evgeni Malkin keeps playing on Crosby’s wing, Ponomarev might make more sense in the NHL once he’s worked off some rust in the AHL.
(Photo of Sidney Crosby and Brian Dumoulin: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)
